Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-03
IOWA WILL MAKE GAIN.
CONTINUED From Page ~

alton which many soldiers 90 not I'M
derstand. When the famous "age-or-
der" was issued by the President in
March, 1904, a general impression was
gained that it had all the advantages
of the service pension law which the
Grand Army posts throughout the
country had urged the previous con-
gress to enact. Pension Commission
er Ware so interpreted it but Com
missioner Warner does not see his
way clear to go SO far
Mr. Ware decided that the veteran
who was granted a pension of IS a
month at the age of 62 was entitled
at the age of 65 to SO month with
out further examination; $40 at 68
and $12 at 70 years Of age. This in
depreciation was general Members
of the house agreed to 1t although
there was some disposition to take
the view that the President had
usurped some Of the prerogatives of
congress. Witness the speech of
Bourke Cochran on the rights of con-
gress. Mr.. Ware, however, had little
time to test the fine points of the
order He retired from the pension
office in December, 1904, during which
time there was not time for many
pensioners to advance from one age
class to the next.
How Warner Views Law.
Definite information covering the
number of examinations for increase
under this order, and the reflections
was not submitted by Commissioner
Warner. He intimated, however, that
examiners were not likely to find
pensioners so sound at IS years of age
that they would not be entitled to the
$500. The restrictions according to
Mr.. Warmers Interpretation, existed,
however, and congress will undoubt-
eddy pass the clause which makes it's
meaning clear.
Civil war veterans at 81 now get
onto the pension roll without diff
Guilty. Under the present ruling when
they apply, however, three years later
for an increase to $500 1T is held that
an examination j, -ssuuSj ed under the
law IN case the examination
develops that his physical Condition Is
practically as good as when 81 years
Of age, under the present interpreted
tioh he cannot receive the $780, Mr..
Warner figures that the new clause
will save the department $250000 an
nually in expenses for medical exami-
nation which will more than make up
the increase in pensions resultant
from the new clause.
Attorneys Will Lose.
It Is said that the adoption of the
proposed rule will seriously affect the
business Of pension attorneys. The
pension Office will simply notify pen
sioners entitled to increases that ex-
Rminations are not required. Blank
forms will be sent on request and
affiidavits before notaries public will
cost 25 cents whereas attorneys now
collect $500. Some discussion was
even given to the practicability of
amending the laws and prohibiting at
torneys under penalty, from receiving
compensation for assisting applicants
for increase under the age clause, but
1t was remarked that the old soldiers
are themselves pretty we'll able to
take care of themselves in this mat
ter.
President Roosevelt has been asked
to consider the question of the abolish
ment of some of our pension agencies.
Commissioner Warner is quoted as
saying that that the fifteen agencies
could be reduced to six and that the
reduction may be made by executive
order. The President has indicated
that he will take the matter up i'm.
mediately after the adjournment OF
congress.
1t is pointed out by the commits
sioner that the three New England ag.
encies could be reduced to one at Bos-
ton, and that the Chicago could take
care of the business of the middle
west. If the reduction is made it is
likely to result in the adjustment OF
the pension agency at Des Moines
This would tend to make even more
difficult the adjustment of the federal
patronage problem in Iowa, removing
one available plum from the tree and
leaving the sixth district plumless.
Frank ]. Stillman.