The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-02-24
The Pension Agencies.

IHc E61lS1OA @1SNAASS'
In 1908 when the agitation Tor the
consolidation of the pension agencies
at Washington was first started b. y.
Toe of Whitewater for many years pen
,ion agent at Milwaukee and one OF the
most prominent G. A. r. men IN the
Itate published statement IN his pap
er which expressed the views OF the
veterans on the proposed consolida-
lion of the pension agencies. The same
agitation is on again now at Washing
ton and as it is believed the opinions
Of the veterans in regard to the pro-
posed changes have not changed great
deal in the past two years the state
ment is published again in order that
the public may know their wishes in
the matter Mr.. Coe said
"The house committee on appro-
Driation recommends that the eighteen
pension agencies be all consolidated at
Washington. 1t is to be hoped, IN the
interest of those who would be most
affected by the proposed change, and,
as we fully believe, in the interest OF
real economy, that the matter may end
with the committee s Recommendation.
The claim is made that Commissioner
Warner and Secretary Garfield, both
favor the proposition. There can be
no doubt of the sincerity of these
gentlemen in any action which they
may take, but neither of them has had
practical experience in the local opera
tons of the pension system, and it is
not probable that both sides OF the
ssse have been fully presented to them.
There is no doubt that the side favor
able to the consolidation has been Wig
prously urged upon their attention.
For long period there have been ac-
tive spirits in and about the pension
bureau at Washington, laboring for a
This activity has been wholly and per-
sonally selfish, for those who have been
pushing it, believe that it would open
opportunities to them for promotion,
or at least to hold the ground they al
ready occupy The work of the bureau
has shown a tendency toward diminu-
tion for some time, but that of the
agencies fully holds it's own. So the
clerical force at Washington, in order
to retain it's good jobs, loses no chance
to work upon the higher officials and
the Congress to make them see in the
abolition of the agencies patriotic
and an economic measure. But a
very short experience in the actual
work of the local agencies would con-
vince any fair and intelligent minded
person that the time has not yet ar
rived for removing the agencies furth-
err away from their benefciaries than
they now are. If the system is to be
continued for the benefit and convent
ence of the pensioners it should not
be changed for at least five years to
come; but if the advantage Of the cleri-
cal force at Washington is the main
consideration then the sooner the
change is made the better.
A recent experience of more than
ten years as pension agent has shown
to the writer how greatly the pen
sioners value the opportunity of deal
ing with their pay departments directly
and without delay. Not a day passes
that some inquiry is not made, some
lost paper not asked to be replaced
some error not sought to be corrected
In the agency referred to, an average
of 1000 vouchers have to be sent back
each quarterly payment to the persons
executing them for correction. If the
agencies are to be abolished there
would be such delay in securing
proper rectifcation with the longest
ed center at Washington, that many
of the old fellows would be camping
on the other side before they could get
their checks in hand. If this matter
were submitted to the veteran soldiers
for their opinion, there would be an
almost unanimous verdict against the
proposed consolidation. 1t is to be
hoped that every congressman and
senator will give the subject full and
careful consideration before accepting
the recommendation of this non-soldier
committee. Will not that good and
wise friend of the old soldier, Congress-
man Sulloway, put his broad shoulder
against the untimely and injurious
schemes"
The first round in the battle for the
lighting business in the city has been
IL L