Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-01
SMALLER PENSION ROLL
DECREASE IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
WAS 12,47O.
Four Pensioners on Account of the
War-Pennsylvanians Lead.

The net decrease in the pension roll OF
the United States for the fiscal year ending
June 80 last amounted to Il, 40, the largest
decrease ever known in the history Of the
country. These facts are brought out in
the annual report of Commissioner of Pen
sions Warner, which has just been COM
pleted. In the report the commissioner ex-
presses the opinion that there will be a
still more marked decrease during the
present year.
During the fiscal year there were added
to the roll 81, $50 new pensioners and 1,400
reservations and renewals, making total
addition of 1904. The total number of
pensioners on the roll during the year was
1,033,415. The number OF pensioners drop
ped from the roll during the year was
47444, leaving the number of pensioners
June 80, 1906, 9s5,971.
Staedy Decrese in Roll.
The maximum number of pensioners In
the history of the bureau was reached jan
uary 81, 1905. when it was 1,O04, 1915, since
which date there has been a steady de-
crease, aggregating, to June 80, 1906, 1925.
Death was the principal cause of the de-
crease of the past year, the number of
names dropped on that account being $500.
OF these 2920S were that of survivors of
the civil war, leaving 66S,453 survivors of
that war still on the roll. There are still
four pensioners on account Of the revolu
tionary war, one widow and the other
three daughters; 600, all widows, on account
Of the war with Spain and Hap on ac-
count Of the Mexican war. OF the Mexican
war 3,0S4 are survivors.
The commissioner calls attention to the
fact that while there has been a material
decrease in the number of pensioners, the
annual value of the roll is nearly as large
a IL ct orcn frnv, q
fact that the ratings of many invalid pen
sions are constantly increasing. the aver
age increase last year being $1.22
Pennsylvanians Lead.
Pennsylvania has the largest number of
pensions, $3.50. Ohio follows, with 1854.
New York has 80, $40. Over 5000 pensions
are paid to persons residing abroad. OF
these 1851 are in Canada COZ in Germany
and 495 in Ireland, and the others are scat
tered in sixty-four other countries, includ
ing the Island Of st. Helena, the Azores,
Siam, Korea etc.
During the year 23,62S claims were al
lowed under Order 49," allowing Sld-age
pensions. ,..,
Since the beginning Of the civil war there
have been granted by special acts of Con-
gress 1925 pensions and increase of pen
eions, OF which 1O.417 are now on the rolls,
with an annual value of $2937, go. During
the last session Of Congress 1897 special
acts were passed.
Total Expenditures.
The report shows that in the entire his
tory of the country the total expenditure
on account of pensions has been $3,459, $780,,
81, Of which only $96,4454 44 has been paid
out prior to the beginning Of the civil war.
OF the total, $3259,195, 3O6 was on account
Of the civil war. The total payments of
pensions on account Of the Spanish war
reached SIS, 43S ,35S up to date. The dis
bursements for navy pensions during the
year were $4,2O4,OO4, and the income from
the navy pension fund available for the
payment of pensions was $685., 61S or less
than per cent Of the amount required for
the payment Of navy pensions. Since 1870
this fund has been inadequate to pay navy
pensions. and the deficiency has been pro-
vided for out Of the public funds by con-
gressional appropriation.