The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-17
NEW PENSION ORDER.
Commissioner Ware Pr0mul-
gates an Important Ruling.

Washington, March 17.-CommisSion-
er of Pensions Ware, with the approval
of Secretary Hitchcock, has promulga-
ted the most important pension ruling
that has been issued in a long time. 1t
directs that beginning April ID next,
if there is no contrary evidence and all
other legal requirements have been
met, claimants for pensions under the
general act of June q, 1880, who are
over 81 years old shall be considered
as disabled one-half in ability to per-
form manual labor and shall be enti-
tied to Sc month; over IS years. TO
IS; over IS years. $40; and over ~
years, $12, the usual allowances at
higher rates continued for disabilities
other than age. The order follows:
Ordered: In the adjudication of pen
sion claims under said act of June q,
1890, as amended, it shall be taken and
considered as evidential fact, If the
contrary does not appear, and If all
other legal requirements are properly
met, that when a claimant has passed
the age of 81 years he is disabled one
half in ability to perform manual Ia
Dor and is entitled to be rated at Sc
per month; after IS years at IS per
month; after 6S years at $40 per month,
and after 20 years at $12 per month.
allowances at a higher rate, not eX-
ceeding II per month, will continue 20
be made as heretofore, where dlsabIll-
ties other than age show cond1tlon OIL
inability to perform manual labor rms
order shall take effect April Ii, 1904,
and shall not be deemed retroactive.
The former rules of the office fixing
the minimum and maximum at 65 years
and 10 years respectively are hereby
modified as above.
The order itself is preceded by pre-
amble which after citing the law, says
the pension bureau has established
with reasonable certainty the average
nature and extent of the lnflrmlty OF
old age: that 80 years after the Mexl-
can war congress in 1887 placed on the
pension rolls all Mexican war soldiers
who were over 60 years old.
Commissioner Ware said:
There has long been in the bureau
a rule fixing a maximum age limit at
s12 for * years This was made dur
ing Mr.. Cleveland's administration by
Commissioner Lochren.
1.-The 65-year minimum limit has been
a long while in force in the bureau:
The act of congress, which was passed
in the latter part of January. 1887, and
approved by President Cleveland. put
all the Mexican war veterans on the
pension roll 90 years after the end OF
the Mexican war. 1t would seem that
to soldiers of the civil war who fought
vastly more and longer, at least as
good a rule ought to apply.
1.-The order could not have been is
sued earlier because it is only now that
the 80 years fixed by the congressional
limit has been reached. The civil war
ended in 1865.
There is an advantage and saving
to the government in the use of this
order, because every old soldier who
has reached the age of 81 is able to
prove almost without possibility of
doubt that ne is one-half disabled from
earning his support by manual labor.
and this being so it seems unwise TO
put a soldier to the expense of time
and transportation to go to the place
where a medical board can examine
him 20 find that fact out. and on the
other hand. it seems unnecessary for
the government to keep boards and
nav SO for the examination of soldier
when the result of the examination
can be so accurately foretold- OF the
2O0. 900 examinations last year. if one
fourth of them were saved it would
make a saving to the government of
$500 900. and perhaps an equal amount
in time and transportation to the old
soldiers who would have to go and be
examined.
Il am not able to say what expense
the bill would entail in the shape of
additional payments"