Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-02
Clinton Man Gets Maximum
Pension of $72 Per Month
After Long Fight
DAWSON GIVES HIM HELP
Congressman Makes Personal Appeal
And Gets Hearing at tho Pension
office-crawford's Wounds Exhib-
tied and Pension Authorities I'm
mediateIy Decide in His Favor.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Clinton. March "A special dispatch
from Washington, referring to the case
of well-known citizen of this city,
says:
Probably the happiest man in the
country, next to Congressman Long
worth, or some other bridegroom is
Mr.. J. p. crawford, of Clinton, Ia. Mr..
Crawford has just been advised that
henceforth his pension will be at the
rate of $72 per month. For this large
monthly allowance from Uncle Sam,
which is the limit under the law and a
substantial increase over what he has
been receiving--twice as much, in fact
he is indebted In very large measure
to Congressman Dawson.
The case of Mr.. Crawford Is an inter-
esting one. For years his claim has
been before the pension bureau, under
this commissioner and that He has
personally visited Washington a num-
Der of winters during the session Of
congress and personally has done what
he could, with the aid of others, to Sc
cure an increase Up to few days
ago his efforts had been unsuccessful,
Some months ago. shortly after be-
coming the representative from the
Second district, Mr.. Dawson took up
the case of Mr.. Crawford thru corre-
spondence. When he arrived in WASH
lngton early In December he gave the
matter his personal attention. Mr.
Crawford came to Washington and
Joined in the good work When he APP
peared in the pension office he did not
require any Introduction to the various
deputy commissioners, medical experts,
examiners and clerks: he knew them
ALL In fact, the Crawford case" has
become famous in the bureau; the
medical examiners and experts have
been familiar with 1t for years Mr..
Crawford literally camped on the pen
sion office and made himself at home
When Congressman Dawson person.
ally took up the matter there did not
seem TO be anything to be done that
had not been done. Examinations by
medical experts without number, al
most, has been made, and reports
had been gone over time and time
again, always with the result that 1t
was declared that under the law Mr..
Crawford could not be given an in
crease in pension.
Finally Mr. Dawson got the ear OF
the commissioner Of pensions. Yes
pasian Warner, of Illinois, who up
to last March, was q member o. n
gress, and whom Mr.. Dawson knew as
such. Dawson requested the COM
missioner to give him few minutes
in a personal investigation of Crawford
case and Mr.. Warner consented. At
the time appointed Congressman Daw
son and Mr. Crawford were on hand.
The commissioner invited in his dep
uties and medical experts, and the
case was called. Mr.. Dawson led off
with the remark that medical exam
liners galore had reported on the Craw-
ford's case; the bureau was loaded
with such documents and that the
opinions relative to the claim of the
applicant had been made upon these
reports, and upon these reports the
application had been denied.
Now" said Dawson, Mr.. Craw
ford is here, and suggest that the
and the deputies per-
investigate the case. Mr..
condition, in my judg-
ment is such as to entitle him, fairly
and properly, to the limit allowed
under the law He was shot to
pieces during the war and is suffering
from the terrible effects of the wounds
today. With the permission of the
7 ii, ,,ryf~ ,,1l
10 exhibit the wounds to those pres
ant"
The commissioner admitted that was
the thing to do, and thereupon Mr..
Crawford removed his clothing sui
iciently to permit the frightful gap
ng wound in his thigh to be SEEM |
No sooner had Commissioner Warner |
who was a veteran in the war, seen
he wound than he threw up his
hands in horror. eNclaiming; my
God. that is awful; if there is any
yay to give this man $72 month
I'm in favor of it,"
AS a result of going into the mat
er in the proper way and developing
he actual facts it was disclosed that
Mr.. Crawford is constantly in need OF
assistance in the care of his wounds,
which showing taken in connection
With the character of the wounds,
made it possible to consider the mat
er under the s72 per month class
foation, After consultation it was
Iecided that under the law Mr. Craw-
ord could be allowed the limit, and
,e has been officially advised to this
fleet.