Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1902 — PENSIONS NEAR MILLION MARK [ARTICLE]

PENSIONS NEAR MILLION MARK

Uncle Sam’s Rolls Show Net Gain of Over 5,700 Since Spanish War. DEATH LIST FOR LAST YEAR Over Fifty Thousand Veterans Passed Away During the Twelvemonth, But Only 27,000 Drew Relief From the United States Government. The annual report of the commlseloner of pensions, Eugene F. Ware, shows that the number of names on the pension rolls still Is under the million mark despite a net gain of 5,732 pensioners since 1898. The total enrollment July 1 last was 999,446, against 997,735 last year. The total comprises 738,809 soldiers and 260,637 widows and dependents. The aggregate Includes 4,695 pensioners outside the United States. The number of death notices of old soldiers not now In the service received by the bureau during the year was 50,128, but only 27,043 of them were pensioners. Predicts 46,000 Deaths. The report says that the death rate among the pensioners for the coming year will be about 40,000 and the losses to the rolls from other causes will be about 6,000. The total amount paid for pensions during the fiscal year was >137,504,268 and the yearly cost of operating and maintaining the bureau and the agencies outside of the payment of pensions proper aggregate >3,590,529. The pension system since the beginning of the government has cost >2,992,509,019, exclusive of the establishment of the soldiers’ homes. Where the Money Goes. The following amounts have been paid to soldiers, their widows, minor children and dependent relatives on account of military and naval services during the wars in which the United States have been engaged: Revolutionary war (estimated) >70,000,000; War of 1812 (on account of service, without regard to disability, >45,025,297; Indian wars, 1832-1842 (on account of service, without regard to disability), >5,814,207; War with Mexico (on account of service, without regard to disability), >31,861,338; War of the Rebellion, >2,744,878,276; War with Spain, >3,275,184; Actual total disbursements in pensions, >2,900,854,302. The amount paid as pensions on account of disabilities and deaths as results of military and naval service during the wars of 1812 and with Mexico and in time of peace to the beginning of the war with Spain are included in the payments on account of the war of the rebellion. Cost of Old Wars. It is estimated that >16,000,000 was paid In pensions for disabilities and deaths due to military and naval service in the wars of 1812 and with Mexico and during the time of peace prior to the war of the rebellion, making the payments of pensions to soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion and of the regular military and naval establishment since the close of the war of the rebellion and their widows, children and dependent relatives amount to >2,728,878,276. This is outside of the cost of maintaining bureau, agencies and soldiers’ homes. Disposing of Applications. The average value of each pension is now a little over >132. The number of applications for pensions filed was 188,626; rejected, 118,464, granted, 117,268. During 1902 the oureau handled 47,106 more pension applications than it received, showing progress in catching up with the accumulated work.