The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-12
MORE FOR. WIDOWS
Likely That the Law Giving Them In
creased Pensions WIN Pass.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE chances
are very favorable for increased PEN
sion to all widows of soldiers who
served over ninety days in the war of
the rebellion and were honorably dis
charged. This is the outgrowth of
the agitation started by Senator Long,
who intro duced early in this congress
a bill increasing the rate under what
is known as the act of 1890 from IS
to $12 and doing away with the
limitation of the widows income as
a condition to her being granted
pension.
The house of representatives has
passed the bill reported by Repre-
sentative SuHoway of New Hampshire,
chairman of the house committee on
invalid pensions, and 1t is now being
considered in the senate committee.
This bill was almost identical with
that of Senator Long, Mr.. SulIoway
evidently having copied the language
of the Long bill, which was intro
duced several weeks before that of
the New Hampshire representative.
The provisions of the Dill are that
all widows, whose husbands served at
least ninety days and were honorably
discharged. may be paced on the
pension roll at $12. If they are now
on the roll at IS, under the act of
1890, they go automatically to the $12
rate. If they have heretofore been
rejected on account of having more
than $3.50 annual net income. which
was a provision of the act Of 1890,
then they go autona tica1ly to the new
rate of $12. If they nave never ap-
piled, and there is some question of
their title otherwise to pension, of
course a new application must be
made.
No effort is made by Mr. Sulloway,
in his bill patterned after that of Sem
ator Long, nor was there made in the
Long bill, for widows who married SOL
diers after the passage Of the original
act of 1890, June 81 of that year. Sem
ator Long has .steadfastly contended
that 1t would be unfair to what IS
known as the war widow the wife of
a soldier during his military service, or
to the wife who had married the soldier
forty years ago, to admit as her equal
in every way the younger woman who
may have married the soldier only a
few years, or a few days ago
The agitation for this relief to
widows was begun by Senator Long
Immediately after his return to Wash
ington last fall. He discussed the mat
ter at the pension office, and with other
members of congress, including Senator
Curtis. who is member of the senate
committee on pensions, and who has
the reputation of having been very &C
tive in behalf Of pensioners and under
standing pension laws and practice as
well as anyone in congress. There were
several who suggested the raise to $12
but none until Senator Longs bill wiped
out what many believed to be the I'M
just provision limiting a widows IN
come to $3.50 per annum, net. This
placed the burden of proof entirely Oh
the widow, Senator Long maintained
which was unjust. The pension office
should be the one to prove her income
- 4I,
practice the proof now falls on her
and is greatly to her disadvantage
Special examiners sometimes harass
and badger widow in her claim. con-
fusing her, and setting forth facts con-
nected with her income which result
in the rejection of her claim, making q
deserving case fail absolutely
Senator Curtis hopes to be able &c
have this bill reported out of the SEN
ate committee in the near future. AL
friends of this legislation will now nene
their energies to securing its enact
mpnt.