The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-05-05
ORDER FALLS SHORT.
Old Soldiers at Sea Regarding New
Pension Rule.


An amendment to the pension law
of June q, 1890, which became effective
recently, and had as it's purpose the
creation of a pension for service when
soldiers had reached a certain age, has
caused widespread inquiry throughout
the state.
81 do not believe it will effect any
considerable number of old soldiers"
said j. j. Stuckey, we'll knewn Des
Moines pension attorney, land after
being carefully analysed it will be dis
covered it's effect is not so far reaching
as many suppose
| The order reads:
"In the adjudication of pension claims
under act of June ~, 1890, as amended,
| it shall be taken and considered as an
evidential fact, if the contrary does
not appear, and if all other legal re-
quirements are properly met, that when
claimant has passed the age OF sixty
two years, he is disabled one half in
ability to perform manual labor, and is
entitled to be rated at So per month;
after sixty-tive years at So per month;
after siNty-eight years at Slipper month:
and after seventy years at 81 per
month";
"Allowances at higher rate, not eX-
ceeding $12 per month, will continue
to be made as heretofore, where dis
abilities other than age show con-
dition of inability to perform manual
labor.
'This order shall take effect April 10,
| 1904, and shall not be deemed retroac-
tive. The former rules of the office,
fixing the minimum and maximum at
sixty-five years respectively, are hereby
modified as above
"This order applies only to claims
filed under the act of June ~, 1880"
said Mr.. Stuckey, land no other law
excepting where pensioner is already
receiving lower rate than 81 under
the general pensioner law, when he is
privileged to apply for an additional
pension under the act of 1890.
81 am receiving a large number OF
inquiries from soldiers who seem to
think they are entitled to an increase
under this last order in addition to the
maximum rate of 81 which they are
already receiving. A careful reading
of this rule in question will convince
any soldier that this order is not in
tended as an addition to any pension
now being received only SO far as il
may increase the pension to ST. ant
no more. This order does not affec
the Mexican war soldiers or those wh'
served in the Indian wars. There il
no reference implied or otherwise t.
an increase of pension for widows.
"My impression is that the large
part of the old soldiers will be receiv
ing S12 per month before they reac]
the age of seventy years. Under tn
ruling made by Commissioner of Pen
sions Green B. Raum, when the &C
of June ~, 1890, was adopted soldier
were being placed on the rolls at fror
So to S12 per month and cumulativ
ratings were considered in the sam
lconnection as under the general law
| that is, if the board gave two or thre
ratings for different disabilities, tn
soldier was reasonably sure to recei1
ing Sc per month, and if rated at 81
per month, he was almost sure of re
ceiving pension for that amount.
"But when Commissioner Lochre
! assumed the duties of the office he is
sued an order on June II, 1898, in whic
he held that cumulative ratings woul
| not be allowed. The rule has bee
! modified but little and is still in force
/ "If the rules promulgated and carrie
out by Commissioner Green B. Raul
during his administration had bee
adhered to by his successors | believ
fully 80 per cent Of the old soldier
would have been placed on the rol
under the act of 1890"