The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-27
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sugges-
tons Made.

L. H., DenVer, CofO.-IK Tue soiuiSI WHs
under 16 when enlisted, and his enlist
ment was before Feb. ID, 1862, he doubt
less could obtain discharge, and pen
sion on disability incurred in service ane
line of duty. Without the discharge ht
could obtain no pension, and without tne
discharge be honorable, he would not be
eligible to pension under the act of 1870
II he enlisted after Feb. H. 1862. the OIL
cial record of his age at enlistment wouie
be binding, even if it showed him consid
erably older than he really was-whlcn
would be very likely to be the case. Many
boys were enlisted before July 4, 1864
that were enrolled as 49, years old, OF
after July 3, 1864, as ''16' years old, that
were considerably younger than their al
legged age.
A II. G., Creseo. Iowa.-There is moth,
ing in any law of the United States now
in force prohibiting payment of pension
to a citizen or subject of a foreign coun-
try. IL United States Pension Agent
or his clerk told you differently, he eVi-
IDENTIFY is not posted.
W. F.. F., Uniontown, Pa.-There are
no United States homes for soldiers Or
phans. All such institutions are main-
tanned under State authority, though aid
ed by the United States Government just
as are the numerous State homes for
veterans. Obviously an institution for sol
diers' orphans cannot take in other Or
phans. There are, however, various other
institutions for orphans in most States
and cities.
T. II. NJ, Chicago.-Even If you en-
listed for three years before July %,
1861. there is nothing in the bounty act
of July 20. 1888. unless you We're dis
charged before two years service for rea-
sons other than wound or injury incurred
in line of duty.
L. ]. T., Glasgow, Ky.-There has been
no legislation of very recent years rela-
tive TO claims for supplies, etc, furnished
the Union armies.
J. s.. Clinton. Mo.-When Il rejected
pension claim is reopened on appeal it
world depend upon circumstances how
long before the case is finally heard from
Consult your attorney.
A. ]. H., Sayre. Okla.-If soldier was
enlisted and sworn into service under
some other name than his own, even it
the name of another living person. it is
merely necessary for him to show that he
is the man who served under the name of
record and he can get n pension in his
own proper name. But if he simply took
the place of another man after the man
had been enlisted and mustered, and was
never himself regularly enlisted and mus
tered, lie cannot get Il pension save by sPe-
cial act of Congress.
Constant Reader, Painesyille-There is
no United States law taxing pensions. I'm
less law of the State exempts pension
money from taxation, of course it is tax
able.
r. B., PIT Arena, CaI-See reply to T.
II. NJ, above.
L. J. Carlisle Ind-It would seem that
nervous debility might be regarded as re-
suit OF malarial poisoning. Disabilities
cannot be combined to make up any Of
the grade" ratings. For instance, n rat
ing of 81 and one of 50 and one of 81,
for different disabilities in one person,
could not be added together to make up
the third grade rating of S24. which
is allowed for disability equivalent in de-
gree to the loss of hand or foot All in
crease OF pension under the general law,
on disability not covered by the pension
certificate, commences from the date said
disability was claimed on.
]. A, Iowa.-No matter if the claim
has been rejected because the claimant is
dead" let the reimbursement claimant
come forward and the claim will be con-
sidered and determined on its merits by
the Pension Bureau
III. /. kS-lf the pensioner and his wife
have been divorced, of course her right to
half his pension is absolutely ended. II
the wife of a pensioner in a Soldiers
Home refuses to live with him when he
leaves the Home, she has no further right
to bis pension without showing that their
separation is. due to his fault and against
her wish and consent.
]. II. c., Walnut Grove, Ky-If the
exact age of the children cannot be
shown, it may be shown as nearly as pos
sible by the best obtainable evidence Ply
sicians can testify to probable age from
examination and observation.