The National tribune., 1906-04-19
MANNED SOLDIERS. BILL.


Senator McCumber. of North Dakota.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Pensions. has reported favorably the
following bill, which will probably pass
the Senate:
4 Bill TO amend the Act of March 2.
1903, increasing the pensions of those
who have lost limbs or been totally
disabled in them, in the military or
naval service of the United States.
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House
OF Representatives of the United States
of America i'm Congress assembled. That
from and after the passage OF this act
all persons on the pension roll. and all
persons hereafter granted Il pension.
who. while in the military or naval SER
vice of the United States and in the
line of duty, shall have lost one hand
or one foot, or been totally disabled in
the same, shall receive a pension at
the rate of $40 per month: that all
persons who, in like manner, shall have
lost an arm at or above the elbow or
leg at or above the knee, or been
totally disabled in the same. shall re-
ceiye a pension at the rate of $46 per
month; that all persons who, in Ike
manner shall have lost an arm at the
shoulder or leg at the hip joint. or so
near the shoulder or hip joint or where
the same is in such condition as to
prevent the use of an artificial limb,
or been totally disabled in the same.
shall receive pension at the rate of
$50 per month; and that all persons
who. in like manner. shall have lost ore
hand and one foot, or been totally dis
abed in the same. shall receive a pen
sion at the rate of $50 per month; and
that all persons who, in like manner,
shall have lost both feet, or been totally
disabled in the same, or been totally
disabled in both arms or hands. shall
receive a pension at the rate of 500
per month: Provided, however. That
this act shall not be so construed as to
reduce any pension under any act, pub
lie or private.
In the report accompanying the bill
the Committee says that it is the same
bill which passed the Senate in the
5Stii Congress, but was allowed to die
on the House Calendar after the House
Committee had made a favorable report
upon it. II amends the Act of March
2, 1903. so as TO make it more SYM
metrical and harmonious in its appli-
cation to an extremely deserving class
of MANNED veterans.
The first way in which the bill will
benefit the veterans is by giving those
who are totally disabled in the upper
thight or shoulder the same rate of $55
which is now given those who had their
limbs amputated at the shoulder or hip
joint.
The second way in which the act
would be enlarged by this bill is by ex-
tending to those soldiers who have been
totally disabled in both arms or hands,
or in both feet or legs. the same rate
per month as is now given when both
limbs have been amputated. This latter
class is now receiving s72 per month.
and this bill provides for an increase of
the pensions of this class of MANNED
veterans to 500 per month, and Wilt
benefit very few worthy pensioners.
A letter from Acting Commissioner
Davenport estimates that probably 40
pensioners would be benefited by the
first provision, at a cost of s50,0OG a
year.
Probably 100 beneficiaries would have
their pensions increased from S72 to
800. at cost of s33.6OO a year.