The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-22
lrHE rLooD on PENsLoNS.
Extraordinary Proposition Made by an
Ohio Congressman

To THE EDITOR OF THB SuN-SH: IT 10
within the recollection Of some. and ia a
matter of record. that while Garfield was
chairman OF the House Committee on Apprn.
priations he brought in a Pension bin
amounting to about S37, OO0, 900, stating in his
explanation of the measure that that sum
was undoubtedly high water mark, and that
from then on pension requirements would
begin to diminish. They went steadily I'D
till they reached the enormous sum of about
Si45, 600, 900, and have remained nearly sta
tionary for some years, in spite of the rapidly
increasing death rate among the veterans Of
the&0l war. -
1t will be remembered by some OF those
who took part in that war that those who
went into II at the beginning had the impress
sion that II they were actually injured in tho
service they would receive a pension. Be-
yond that. nothing was expected. 1t is not
needful to recite here how greatly the actual
pension list exceeds that limit. nor to repeat
the familiar and undeniable fact that a large
amount of fraud enters into 1t. The country
has determined on a liberal pension policy
and has been bearing the enormous burden
il Involves cheerfully, especially, IN view OF
natural course of events 1t must soon begin
to grow lighter Every session OF Congree;.
in preventing that result by adding by private
bills to the list thousands OF names that could
not otherwise be put there. even under the
"a IIobI hoOs hhu III llllll
tion has also been checked by giving large
increases by special acts to persons already
on the rolls.
Large as the outgo from these sources has
been, there are indications that there IL
greater danger ahead. In a late speech nv
the Hon. Amos r. Weber Of Ohio it is sad
that even in the Committee on Invalid Pen
sions -"tardy justice affords but slow and
partial relief, as the committee is too small
TO cope with the business"-there are fifteen
members-"so that not more than one-fourth
of the deserving cases get investigated, for
lack Of working force. To relieve the con-
gested condition and bring relief to the old
force should be q~uadrupled and at once and
the pension laws revised" Such a PROPOSE
ton as that is enough to give the country a
chill, but it Is only predatory. Mr.. Webher
goes on to say that the time has come when
every veteran or his widow or unfortunate
dependent should be cared for in comfort
without being. compelled to go to a soldiers
to these noble defenders Of the flag. it will OF
necessity require a large increase OF the
pension appropriations"
Mr.. Weber advocates doubling all pensions,
which would bring the annual amount up to
$3.50. 000, 900. Evidence is to be done away
with. He says: Sweep away the law requir.
ing proof to secure or increase pensions that
this system that all needy. worthy soldiers
shall have the comforts OF life, and add an-
other star to the glory of the republic"
There Is no disposition anywhere In the
country to be anything but most liberal and
generous to the civil war veterans. but really
he has the veterans behind him in making
such startling demands. VETERAN.
WASHINGTON, March 10.