The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-14

The Law Division, under the direction
of the Law Clerk, is charged with the
following duties:
1.-The determination Of all questions Of
law or practice referred by the Commits
sioner Of Pensions, the Deputy Commits
sioners, the Chief Clerk, or Chiefs of
Divisions:
THE preparation and transmission to
the special examination division Of cases
for criminal investigation; all work COLI
nected with criminal and civil suits after
preliminary investigation by the special
4 division; the preparation Of
the guidance Of special exami-
re to further investigation in
rs, and the keeping of proper
records relative thereto:
nsmission of cases to Congress
ping of record of special acts
answering calls for evidence made by
the different Departments of the Govern
ment, and which is filed in the different
claims for pension;
MlmeOgraphlng synopses of decisions
rendered by the honorable Secretary of the
Interior; the synopsis of decision being in
each case furnished by the board of re-
view;
THE return Of marriage certificates.
upon request. to, the person found entitled
to their possession;
THE preparation and transmission to
the. adjudicating divisions of the Bureau
generally Of notices of disbarments,
deaths, and changes Of address of attOr-
neys and agents, and transfers Of rights Of
one attorney or agent to another of their
attorneyship interest in claims:
''All correspondence with the law Of
feers of the Government relative to mat
tiers arising out of trials connected with
claims for pension;
"The discipline Of attorneys and agents
practicing before the Bureau. and the Gus
tody of the personal files Of such attorneys
and agents;
THE review Of circulars submitted by
attorneys and agents under rule Is Of the
Rules of Practice:
tOrneyship from one agent or attorney to
another. and correspondence relative
thereto;
1.-THE FORMULATION of all orders and rul-
ings Of the Commissioner of Pensions;
1.-The consideration Of questions relating
TO erroneous payment Of fees, and secur-
ing refundment of fees when upon exami
nation it is found that they have been
wrongfully paid;
Answering miscellaneous correspon-
denee referred for consideration"
BOARD OF REVIEW.
The Board of Review is charged, in
general. with the duty of last considerat ton
of all classes of pension and bounty claims
as 10 their merits, before allowance or re-
lection, after the same have been consid-
cred by the adjndicating divisions.
1t is also charged with the duty Of giving
consideration to all questions of contest as
to attorneys fees.
SPECIAL EXAMINATION DIVISION
The Special Examination Division is
charged. in general. with the duty Of max
ing special examination into the merits
Of pension and bounty-land claims.
whether pending or allowed 1t is also
charged with the duty of investigating sus-
pected attempt at fraud on the Govern
ment. through and by virtue of the provi-
slons OF the pension laws, and to aid in
prosecuting any person SO offending.
THE ADJUDIcATINo DIVISIONS.
There are FIVE such divisions. namely:
Old War and Navy, Eastern, Army,
Western, and Southern.
Each division is charged. in general l.,
with the duty Of calling for and consider
ing. in the first instance, all evidence, in
Guiding reports from the various Execu-
tive Departments, necessary to complete
the requirements Of the Bureau in pension
and bounty-claim claims.
1t is also charged with the duty of con-
sidering all attorneyship contests prior to
issue Of certificate.
OLD WAR AND NAVY DIVISION.
BY order OF the Commissioner of Pen
siOns dated February Is, 1903, the Old
War and Navy Division now gives consid-
Grafton only to claims arising out Of naval
service. and to claims arising out Of mill
tary service before March 4, 1861.
EASTERN DIVISION.
The Eastern Division gives considera-
ton TO claims arising out Of service in
volunteer organizations Of the late war
from the following States: New England
States, New York. New Jersey, and Del
aware. Michigan and Pennsylvania.
by order OF the Commissioner Of Pen
siOns dated February Is, 1903, the Middle
Division was abolished and in its place
was created the Army Division.
War of the rebellion claims pertaining
TO organizations from Michigan and Penn
sylvania were placed under the Eastern
Division; and those from Ohio under the
Western Division.
WESTERN DIVISION.
The Western Division gives considera.
ton 10 claims arising out of service in vol.
unteer organizations of the late war from
the following States and Territories Ohio
Indiana, Illinois, Iowa. Wisconsin Mime.
sofa, North Dakota, South Dakota Kan.
sas, Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, Califor-
MIA, Oregon, Wyoming. Idaho, Montana,
Washington, and all the Territories.
SOUTHERN DIVISION.
The Southern Division gives considera.
ton to claims arising out OF services In
volunteer organizations Of the late war
frpm the following States, including the
United States colored troops: District OF
Columbia, Maryland. Virginia, West Wiz.
Einia. Kentucky, Tennessee. Missouri
Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi
Louisiana and Texas.
ARMY DIVISION.
The Army Division was esta blished by
the order Of the Commissioner Of Pensions
OF February 13, 1908. To il is assigned
all Regular Army claims pertaining Ia
service since March ! Is AID M claims
d military Volunteers 80 lie $ ..anish War