Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-12
PENSION Is DENIED
FINAL ACTION IN APPLICATION
OF MRS. oRNDoRFF.
Husband Served Short Time in Fire
Department Under Alias OF
Charles Marion.

The District Commissioners have denied
the application for a pension from the po-
lice fund made by Amelia H. Orndorn,
widow of Charles H. Orndorff who. under
the name of Charles Marion, served on the
police force for few weeks in 1SsS.
The application on behalf Of the widow
was filed by Attorneys Ralston & Siddons
1t was accompanied by affidavits, marriage
certificate, etc. The Commissioners referred
the matter to Major Sylvester, the super
intendent of police, for his consideration
and report before they should take action
upon it.
1.-The records of the police department
show" says the superintendent, that one
Charles Marion passed the board OF sur
geons August %, 1883: that he was ap-
pointed a private Of class one September
l. 1888; that October 8, 1888, he reported
sick, and October 80 died from typhoid
fever.
"At the time Mr.. Marion passed the board
of fire and police surgeons he stated that
he was married, having a wife and one
child. On January 2, 1889. the petitioner
Amelia H. Orndorff, was paid $4oo lnsur-
ance from the cooperative relief assocla-
ton of the department., which is a private
institution having no connection Whatever
officially with the department; that is, 1t
amounts simply to an assessment OF 81
upon each member Of the force for pay
ment to the widow of a deceased member
thereof. This feature of the case cuts no
figure under the law.
A Dangerous Precedent.
''This matter was thoroughly inquired
into March q, 1892, and reports In the
case at present accompanying the papers
were at that time presented to the late
Commissioner John w. Ross, who told the
major and superintendent Of police that
he would not recommend an allowance;
that 1t would be a dangerous precedent
and that the deceased was not known on
the police force other than as Charles
Marion.
IF in the event the petitioner can show
that Charles H. Orndorff was the same per-
son as Charles Marion who served In the
police force, and that she is his lawful
widow, no doubt her claim is entitled to
consideration; but. the widow has been
guilty of such extraordinary and unusual
delay in making application for pension
having permitted thirteen years to elapse
without endeavoring to secure any rights
she may possess under the act of February
%, 1885. I do not believe that any allow
ance which may be made should be retro
active, and respectfully submit this report
with all papers pertaining thereto, with the
recommendation that the same be referred
to Auditor j. T. Petty for his considera-
ton"
This course was taken by the Commits
sioners, and Mr.. Petty submitted the final
report in the case, as follows:
Mr.. Petty's Final Report.
ga careful reading of the papers in the
case of the application of Mrs. Amelia H.
Orndorff for a pension as the widow Of a
deceased police officer who was appointed
and served under the alias of Charles Mar
ion, when his real name was Charles H.
Orndorff. leads me to the conclusion that
was reached by the late Commissioner
Ross, namely. that it would establish a bad
precedent and should not be allowed.
This case would appeal to ones sense Of
equity IL it were that of the widow of one
who had long served the government as
guardian of the public peace, but this plea
cannot be urged, since the husband of the
petitioner rendered no service worth men
tioning, having been upon the force but
little more than a month, including the
period of his sickness.
1T appears also from Major Sylvesters
Endorsement of March %, 1902, that the dis
ease of which the petitioners husband died
was not contracted in the line of duty
Then, again, the extraordinary delay in
filing this application is so indefensble that
the District is justified in pleading the stat
ute of limitations against the claim"
The Commissioners approve the auditors
recommendation that the claim be not
granted,