The National tribune., 1910-09-29

The increases in ratings are radical, as
viewed from the standpoint of three
years ago. when readtudicauons were
being made under the *McCumber act.
What of the cost, for that is the
prime factor when the strong box of the
Nation is to be drawn upon? Rhap-
sodies over duty" gratitude" "a
saved country" etc, sound well to the
ear, but weswho are charged with prac-
tical duties must stand four square TO
practical things.
May 5, 1910, by a report made by
the honorable Secretary of the Interior,
this was set down as the cost. We give
the number of pensions to be advanced
by classes:
From $12 to- $15, 177.000, s36
From sl2 to s2o,,lso, geo. ss6
From ON SIS to $40. so,5s5. siso
Frem 6en sso ssSf to $40. so.sis sa4o i'''V 'iOV
lOtdl. .SfS,Oof,fs
Add to this $4,000, 900 for the PEN
sion of widows now barred under the
law and the grand total exceeds $52,
000, 900. If this bill should become a
law now, the sum required would be
lessened few millions of dollars by
death since this estimate was made,
but the initial cost for the first year
would reach s47,000000, and thus the
appropriation for 1912 would closely
approximate 100000. Juggling
with figures may serve a purpose with
the over-enthusiastic. who would score
n point, but the art is yet to be ac-
Quired by the experts who make up the
National budget.
Your committee recommends that
|
sented by the Hon. p. j. McCumber Is.
65S), granting pension of $12 month
to widows; also a bill to increase the
ratings of army nurses on the lines of
1.-THE McCumber age act. This is a most
meritoriOus measure, and the cost
would he compare lively slight. These
noble women, now few in number, de-
serve our best efforts. for many of them
are far advanced in life, feeble in body
and not few in absolute need. 1t is
also suggested that the Pension Com
mittee TO be appointed by the incoming
| Chief be charged with
| the consideration of bill to increase
the ratings of pensioners above 40 years
of age. and submit report with recon-
mendations to the Executive Commit
tee of the Council of Administration
| for its action.
Compliments to Commissioners.
SluCe tle clOSiHS vi the sou EHCdiHp-
ment Comrade Vespasian Warner re-
signed as Commissioner of Pensions
after years of fruitful and honorable
administration. AS was especially fit
| ting and with high regard for the eff
cheney of the service, President Taft
promoted our. well-loved comrade, the
Hon. J. L. Davenport, of the Depart
ment of New Hampshire, from First
Deputy to Commissioner. BY long years
of faithful, intelligent and devoted ser
vice Comrade Davenport has earned the
confidence of us all, and enjoys the es-
| TEEN of his fellow citizens as an honest
! upright public official. Comrade L.
StillweH, of the Department of Kansas,
man of sterling worth, was appointed
| First Deputy Commissioner and Com
rade L. NJ. Kelly continues to admins
ter the duties of Second Deputy Com
missioner with the fidelity which has
| marked an extended public career. The
thanks of the Pension Committee are
due these three. officials, to the Hon. P.
| j. McCumber, Chairman, Senate Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions, and TO the
Hon. c. 5. Sulloway, Chairman, House
| Committee on Invalid Pensions, for fra
| ternal courtesies freely extended.
| Respectfully submitted in F., c. and
L.-Robert B. Brown, John r. King,
S. S. Burdett. VIM. NJ. Olin.