The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-20
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sugges'
lions Made.

L. X. s., Cohoes, N. Y.-Soldiers OF
the Regular Army since the war OF the
rebellion, and widows of such, are pension
able under the general pension law II dis-
ability or death-cause originated IN serV'
ice and line of duty.
need no petition to get pension by spe-
cial act The case should be Of such ex-
traordinary merit that the general law
cannot do it full justice, or case mol
covered by the general law. Not only
the applicants representative IN congress-
but the Pension Committees of Congress
will nave to be satisfied that the case is
one of such merit as to justify speclal
Congressional action. Three months after
date of official notice OF rejection OF a
pension claim by the Pension Bureau, the
claimant is free to appoint new attor-
ney regardless of the former attorney. .
NJ. All applications for increase OF
pension on increase of disability must be
made in form of sworn declaration hieo
with the Commissioners of Pensions. Ii
the applicant is mentally incapacitated, an
application may be made by some one
else on his behalf as next friend" but a
guardian should be appointed as early as
possible Unless the condition which COM
pletely incapacitates him is due to the
service and line Of duty, it will not entitle
him to an increase of pension under the
general law.
T.. H, Cutler. Ohio.-All benefciaries
of the act of March 2, 1908, increasing
the general law pension rates for ampu-
tation or total disability Of limbs have
been increased without formal application
on their part.
J. r., Mt. Ayr, Iowa.-There is no
United States law rendering pension mon
ey exempt from execution for debt after
1t reaches the pensioner.
loss rvvS6
ow is otherwise entitled to pension, the
fact of her being his second wife" cuts
no figure in the case. State your question
more clearly if the above is not an an
swer.
B. F. w., Santa Cruz, Calf the
facts shown in evidence render it reason
ably certain that the former husband of
the soldiers widow was in all probability
dead before her marriage to the soldier,
there surely would be no trouble in sat
isfying the Pension Bureau that the
claimant is now the lawful wife Of the
soldier. Consult your attorney.
Mrs. NJ. L., Newport, Vt.-If the SOL
der served less than 80 days in the war
of the rebellion, his widow can obtain pen
sion only by proving his death due to his
service and in line of duty.
s. d. B., Zion, N. J.-See reply to Old
Subscriber, above. If a pensioner is dis
satisfied with his wife for any reason, the
laws of his State are his remedy. The
law of March 3, 1899, allowing PEN
sioner's wife half his pension under GER
tain prescribed circumstances, does not re-
quire her to use the money according to
the pensioners wishes.
J. NJ. De Graft, Minn.-A pension ap-
plicant is not obliged to give his attorney
80 cents worth of stamps every time he
writes letter" The attorney is allowed
to make a charge of so cents in each case,
TO cover correspondence expense. Such
charge has long been officially recognized
as entirely reasonable and proper, in view
Of the fact that no fee for services is al
lowed unless the claim is allowed, and q
very large percentage, as high as IS per
cent. of some classes Of claims, are re-
jected. and hence no fee was allowed.
p Your homestead question is not clear.
You cannot get a deed for more land
than You proved up on. even if it was
less than 160 acres, without the usual
procedure Of location, settlement and i'm
prOyement,