The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-23
AMERICAS FIGHTING MEN.

No bureau of the Government has
made greater strides in improving the
handling of the public business than has
the Pension Once. under the guiding
hand of Commissioner Vespasian War
ner.
When claims for pensions are now
fled. whether original or for increase.
the claim is nos pigeonholed and forgot
ten. but II is at once taken up and the
machinery for Its adjudication started.
The best evidence of this fact is the de-
crease in the amount OF first pay
ments- The annual report OF the PEN
sion Commissioner which has just been.
printed, shows that for the fiscal year
ended June -. 1906, the total amount
paid TO pensioners as first payments
upon the allowance OF their claims was
$3.50. Gl4.5s, or 81 .s56,35l less than the
first payments during the year 1904.
arrears" of Pension.
This amount constitutes what is term
ed arrears of pension. being the pay
ment for the period which had elapsed
between the fling OF the claim or the
death OF the soldier. as the case may be.
and the date OF the quarterly payment
preceding the allowance of the claim
The amount available for payment OF
pensions for the fiscal year ending June
20. 1se5, was s14l, 5l3, 100, all of which, ex-
cept SIZE. $50. was disbursed The three
hundred and seventy odd thousand dol
lars was carried back into the Treas
ury.
The number of pension applications
under the act of June o. $780, as amend
&c by the act OF May 8. 1900. continues
10 increase. The increase in pensions
paid under this act is shown by these
figures: Paid out for pensions for fiscal
year 1864. 81, 40, 23i; for fiscal year 1895
s7s.7s..i75
The number of pensioners of this class
hasJs;eadily increased In about the same
proportion as the number has decreased
under the general law for the reason
that diss biiities are penssonable under
The act Of June 81. 1880. whether Incurred
in service or rot. and under that law II
is not necessary in the case OF a widow
or minor TO show that the soldiers death
IVES due TO the service
For Spanish War.
The report shows a steady increase IN
the expenditure for pensions on account
of the war with Spain.
The disbursements for pensions on ac-
count OF the army and navy since July
/, 1865, TO June 80. 1906. amounted TO So
224. 414. 57s.75, while the total amount paid
out for army and navy pensions from
July /, 1880 10 June 80 1865. reached but
$s6445 44423
The following extract from the report
will give an idea of original business
transacted during the year:
1.-THE number OF original applications
fled during the fiscal year 1905 was S..
Sal. and the number OF original claims
allowed during the year was b0.027.
There has been no material change in
the number of original applications flied
eacn year since 1888 while the number OF
original allowances was greater last
year than in any year since 1888.
''Of the total number of original claims
allowed during the last fiscal year 43.12n
were based upon service in the civil war
and 4,455 upon service in the war with
Spain
Aa5l pensioners in the District of Co
lumbia and they received from Uncle
Sam 81. 7ss, 4es
The total number OF pension certif-
Js5. a42. the largest number issued in any
year during the past ten years
Immense Mail.
The number OF pieces OF mail handled.
including applications for pensions. dur
ing the year was 4.365. 16S or about Il $50
each working day.
Since the issuance OF executive order
rs on March 10. 1904. which gives a pen
reach the age of sixty-two, and a grad
nal increase until he reaches seventy
years, 6o.sl2 such pensions have been
issued. of which number H. 4s6 were or
fginal. the others being increase OF pen
sions under the order.