The National tribune., 1906-03-01

prompt pdSSdSe.
Making appropriations for the payment
of invalid and other pensions of the
United States for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1907, and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled, That
the following sums be, and the same are
hereby, appropriated. out of any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, for the payment of pensions for
the fiscal year ending June so, 1907. and
for other purposes, namely:
For army and navy pensions, as fol-
lows: For invalids, widows, minor chill
dren and dependent relatives, army
nurses, and all other pensioners who
are now borne on the rolls, or who may
hereafter be placed thereon, under the
provisions of any and all Acts of Con-
gfess. $139,000,000: Provided, That the
appropriation aforesaid for navy PEN
sions shall be paid from the income of
the navy pension fund, so far as the
same shall be sufficient for that pur-
pose: Provided further, That the
amount expended under each of the
above items shall be accounted for
separately: And provided further, That
age is a permanent specific disability
within the meaning of the pension laws
For fees and expenses of examining
surgeons, pensions, for services render
ed within the fiscal year 1907 S7OO,O0O.
And each member of each examining
board shall, as now authorized by law,
receive the sum of 50 for the eXamina-
ton of each applicant whenever five or
a less number shall be examined on any
one day, and 81 for the examination of
each additional applicant on such day:
Provided, That if 20 or more applicants
appear on one day, no fewer than 20
shall, If practicable, be examined on
said day, and that if fewer examinations
be then made, 20 or more having ap-
peared, then there shall be paid for the
first examinations made on the next eX-
animation day the fee of 81 only until
90 examinations shall have been made:
Provided further, That no fee shall be
paid to any member of an examining
| board unless personally present and as
siSting in the examination of applicant:
And provided further, That the report
of such examining surgeons shall spe>
officially state the rating which in their
judgment the applicant is entitled to,
and the report of such examining sur
geons shall specifically and accurately
set forth the physical condition of the
applicant. each and every existing dis
ability being fully and carefully de-
scribed. The reports of the special ex-
aminerS of the Bureau of Pensions shall
be open to inspection and copy by the
| applicant or his attorney, under such
rules and regulations as the Secretary
! of the Interior may prescribe: And pro-
vided further, That no pension attor-
ney, claim agent, or other person shall
be entitled to receive any compensation
for services rendered in securing the
| introduction of bill or the passage
thereof through Congress granting PEN
sion or increase of pension; and any
person who shall, directly or indirectly,
contract for, demand, receive, or re-
tain any compensation for such ser
vices shall be deemed guilty of an Of
fense, and upon conviction thereof
shall, for each and every such offense,
be fined not exceeding $500 or impris-
| oned not exceeding two years. or both,
in the discretion of the court.
For salaries of Is agents for the pay
ment of pensions, at $4,000 each, s72,-
600.
For clerk hire, and other services,
S435, 900: Provided, That the amount
of clerk hire, and other services for
each agency shall be apportioned as
nearly as practicable in proportion to
the number of pensioners paid at each
agency, and the salaries paid shall be
subject to the approval of the Secretary
| of the Interior.
For rents. New York, $4,500; Wash
| ington, $4,000; in all $1,000.
| For stationery, fuel, lights, and other
| necessary expenses. 100000.
For examination and inspection of
| pension agencies, as provided by the
final provision of the Act of Aug. 8.
| 1882, amending section 4766, Revised
Statutes, $500.
The main feature of interest in this
bill is the provision "That age is a
permanent, specific disability within the
meaning of the pension laws" Thia
specifically enacts Order No. 7S and
places the principle underlying it upon
| the Statute Book beyond the reach OF
change of mind of any future Commis-
sioner of Pensions, Secretary of the
| Interior or President of the United
States, even. 1t will become part OF
the laws of the land and settle definite
I ly that every veteran who served go
days in the army or navy of the United
States during the war of the rebellion
was honorably discharged, and has at
tanned the age of So, is entitled by those
facts to be placed upon the pension
roll. In the report of the House Com
mittee accompanying the Appropriation
i Bill Order No IS is described as fol-
lows:
i Under date of March 10, 1904, ar
i order was issued to take effect Apri
IS, 1904, providing that in the adjudi
cation of pension claims under the ac
of June 27, 1890, as amended, it should
be taken and considered as an evi
i. Genital fact, if the contrary did not ap
: pear, and if all other legal require
ments were properly met, that when {
claimant has passed the age of So year.
he would be disabled one-half in ability
to perform manual labor and would b,
entitled to be rated at Sc per month
? after 65 years, at So per month aftel
6S years. at $40 per month, and afte
10 years, at S12 per month";
Pension Commissioner Vespasial
Warner has accepted this order cor
daily and is endeavoring to faithful!
carry out its spirit and at once appi.
its benefits to all who are entitled t.
them. The allowances under the Or
. der from the date of its issue April 13
1904, to Jan. 81, 1906, inclusive, indi
cate this very clearly, as the foIlowin,
table of allowances under it will show
E Originals.
] Amount Amour
, Rates. No. per th. per VI
At Sc per month. .1O,5S6 S63,516 $7G2,19
e At So per month. 1864 36.512 1874
At s12 per month. 2,413 1886 347,47