WILLIAM H. TAFT

PENSIONS

The Pension Bureau is the largest bureau of the government. It is presided over by the Commissioner of Pensions, who attends to all matters concerning pensions, and law affecting them; to their payment, and the detection and prosecution of attempts at fraud in claims for pensions.

Pension Agents are appointed by the President for four years, and give bonds and security for the faithful performance of their duties.

Rates Paid.-The highest rate of pension allowed by law is $100 a month, this being for the loss of both arms; the next highest is $72 per month, being for loss of both feet, or total disability requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. These disabilities are called specific disabilities. The rates fixed by law for total disabilities, not specific, are as fol lows: Army.-Lieutenant-colonel and all officers of higher rank, $30; major, surgeon, and paymaster, $25; captain and chaplain, $20; first lieutenant and assistant surgeon, $17; second lieutenant and enrolling officer, $15; enlisted men, $8. Navy Captain and all officers of higher rank, commander, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer, $30; lieutenant. passed assistant

surgeon, surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer, $25; master, professor of mathematics, and assistant surgeon, $20; first assistant engineer, ensign, and pilot, $15; cadet midshipman, passed midshipman, midshipman, warrant officers, $10; enlisted men, $8.

How to Obtain a Pension.-To obtain a pension the applicant must file a claim with the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. In a claim by the soldier he should set forth all his military or naval service, giving dates of enlistment and discharge. He should also set forth the name or nature of all disabilities for which pension is claimed, giving the time when, thə place where and the circumstances under which each was contracted. The prime requirement to establish a claim under the act of July 14, 1862, usually termed the general law, is to show that the disability for which pension is claimed had its origin while in the service and line of duty; that it has existed as a disabling cause from date of discharge, and now exists in a degree pensionable under the law. In a claim under the act of June 27, 1890, the essential rquirements are: A service of ninety days or more, an honorable discharge therefrom and proof that the disability for which pension is claimed is not due to claimant's own vicious habits, but it need not necessarily be of service origin.

Widow's Claim.-In a widow's claim it is necessary to show her legal marriage to the soldier, the date of his death, and, under the general law, that it was due to some cause of service origin. She must also show that she has remained his widow. If there are children of the soldier under sixteen years of age at the date of his death, their names should be given and the date of birth of each clearly shown. If any have died, the date should be proved. In a widow's claim under the act of June 27, 1890, the requirement as to service is the same as under an invalid claim, and in addition thereto she must show a legal marriage to the soldier prior to the passage of the act, the fact of soldier's death (but it need not be shown to be due to service), her continued widowhood and that she is without other means of support than her daily labor. A minor child's title to pension accrues only on the death or remarriage of the widow, which fact must be shown, in addition to the requirements in widow's claim.

Dependent Mother.-A dependent mother must show her relationship to the soldier, his celibacy, that he contributed to

her support, that his death was due to some cause of service origin, the date of his death, and, under the general law, that she was dependent upon him at the date of his death. Under the act of June 27, 1890, it is only necessary to show dependence at date of filing claim and since then. A dependent father must show relationship by legal marriage to soldier's mother, the date of soldier's birth and of the mother's death, in addition to the requirements in the mother's claim.

ANARCHISTS NOT ELIGIBLE TO CITIZENSHIP

EXCLUDING ANARCHISTS.— -The act of March 3, 1903 (taking effect June 1, 1903), imposed these further restrictions on the naturalization of aliens: No person who disbelieves in or who is opposed to all organized government, or who is a member of or affiliated with any organization entertaining and teaching such disbelief in or opposition to all organized government, or who advocates or teaches the duty, necessity, or propriety of the unlawful assaulting or killing of any officer or officers, either of specific individuals or of officers generally, of the government of the United States or of any other organized government, because of his or their official character, or who has violated any of the provisions of this act, shall be naturalized or be made a citizen of the United States.

DUTY OF COURTS.-All courts and tribunals and all judges and officers thereof having jurisdiction of naturalization proceedings or duties to perform in regard thereto shall, on the final application for naturalization, make careful inquiry into such matters, and before issuing the final order or certificate of naturalization cause to be entered of record the affidavit of the applicant and of his witnesses so far as applicable, reciting and reaffirming the truth of every material fact requisite for naturalization. All final orders and certificates of naturalization hereafter made shall show on their face specifically that said affidavits were duly made and recorded, and all orders and certificates that fail to show such facts shall be null and void.

PENALTY FOR VIOLATION.-Any person who purposely procures naturalization in violation of the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or shall be imprisoned not less than one nor more than ten years, or both, and the court in which such conviction is had shall thereupon adjudge and declare the order or decree and all certificates admitting such person to citizenship null and void. Jurisdiction is hereby conferred on the courts having jurisdiction of the trial of such offense to make such adjudication.

Any person who knowingly aids, advises or encourages any such person to apply for or to secure naturalization or to file the preliminary papers declaring an intent to become a citizen of the United States, or who in any naturalization proceeding knowingly procures or gives false testimony as to any material fact, or who knowingly makes an affidavit false as to any material fact required to be proved in such proceeding, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not less than one nor more than ten years, or both.

BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS

These associations, usually incorporated, are established for the purpose of loaning money to their members upon real estate security. They make it their object to enable persons having a lot to borrow money thereon for the purpose of erecting a dwelling, allowing them to repay the money in installments amounting to little more than ordinary monthly rent. When the full amount is paid up the borrower becomes owner of the property.

Interest.-In considering the question of usury in a loan from a building association, payments made by the borrower as dues are not to be considered as interest, as such payments are made in order to acquire an interest in the property of the association and not for the use of money,