Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-24
ACT IN COCHLAN CASE
Members of the House Oppose
Pension Increase.
by PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY
Eulogize Life and Services of the
Rear Admiral.
ARGUES FOR UNIFORMITY
Representative Loudenslager Urges
Rejection of Amendment Favoring
Widow of Naval officer.
BY PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY
ARGUES FOR UNIFORMITY

tie ne NiSSS VI lNNot
Admiral Coghlan and admitting the value
and distinction of the services of that
veteran of two wars, but being governed
by precedent and actuated by the princi-
pies of equity and justice" the House of
Representatives. by decisive vote, yes
terday defeated a proposition to increase
the pension of his widow from $50 to
500 a month. The omnibus pension bill
was under consideration and Representa-
tive Olcott of New York offered the
amendment in question. The pension
committee, of which Representative
Loudenslager Of New Jersey is chairman
already had increased Mrs. Coghlan's
pension from $50 to $50 The members
of the committee were unit In oppos-
ing any further grant.
Debate on the Olcott amendment waxed
warm for a time, and there was more
interest displayed in the proposition thar
in any similar effort that has been made
on the floor Of the House In long. long
time. Mr.. O1cott urged, as reasons for
eight years in the navy, his exceptionally
meritorious services, his record In two
wars and the present financial needs or
his widow. He also read letter from
Commissioner of Pensions Warner, re-
citing that about two dozen widows of
distinguished Americans are now receiv-
ing more than $50 month.
Many Demand Recognition.
Hardly had Mr.. Olcott taken his seat
when not less than dozen members
were on their feet demanding recogni-
ton. Mr. Hull of Iowa, chairman Of the
House committee on military affairs.
caught the eye of Representative Capron
Of Rhode Island, who was in the chair,
20 hA
amendment. He admitted everything that
Mr.. Olcott had said eulogistic of the
late Admiral Coghlan, but insisted there
was nothing exceptional In the case that
warranted such unusual action by the
House, calling attention to the fixed rule,
which, except under the most remarka BILE
circumstances, is never broken. providing
d pension of not more than $50 month
for the widows of general officers Of the
army and admiralS of the navy.
Referring to the case of the widow of
the late Maj. Walter Reed, U.S.A., who
now receives a pension Of $500 a year,
Mr.. Hull said the cases were not, as
claimed by Mr.. Olcott. on all tours. He
briefly reviewed the Reed pension case,
calling attention to the fact that Maj.
Reed went out of the line of his regular
duty and sacrificed his life in the effort
to perfect the mosquito theory, which
should prevent for all time the ravages
of yellow fever. Mrs Reed was left pen
nilesS with four small children to edu-
cate. He urged his colleagues not to es-
tablish such dangerous precedent on
no better grounds than those urged by
the gentleman from New York.
Representative Loudenslager Speaks.
Representative Loudenslager followed
Mr.. Olcott. He told the House that, as
chairman OF the pension committee--of
which he had been a member for nearly
sixteen years--he stood in the most EN-.
barrassing position possible, for he had
enjoyed social relations with Admiral and
Mrs. Coghlan, and yielded to no man in
his admiration for the sterling character
and martial achievements of that hero Of
two wars But he had worked ever
since he had been member Of the pen
sion committee to establish uniformity
which did not exist when he Joined that
body-and to establish. as guidance, the
principles of equity and justice in the
preparation and report of pension cases.
He felt that if this increase of pension
were allowed. in spite of the protest Of
the committee. that all his work and the
work of those who had labored with him
would go for naught.
The speaker said he saw nothing ex-
ceptional in the record of Admiral Cogh-
Ian to warrant such unusual and unpre-
cedented action on the part Of the House.
and told of the case of an American
hero whose name he did not mention.
who had been cadet at the Naval
Academy when the civil war broke out.
who resigned and joined the volunteers.
rose to the rank of major general and
who, on the coming of peace went back
to the academy. and then in the naval
service rose to the rank of rear admiral.
The widow of this man does not receive
500 month. and, II any one We're en-
titled to that sum, he thought his col.
leagues would agree that she was.
Denounced as Crying Injustice.
Representative Campbell of Kansas. a
member of the pension committee. follow
ing Mr.. Loudenslager. denounced as an
outrage and as a crying injustice the at
tempt to favor Mrs. Coghlan beyond the
widows of other heroes of two wars. He
said that if the bill carried he would
work to secure to the widow of every
private soldier VINO served in the civil or
Spanish-American wars pensions of $2o
and $50 a month. And ne asked his col
leagues If the government Of the United
States could stand that.
At this point members all over the
chamber evidently having made up their
minds on the proposition. began calling
for vote. and, the question being put.
the Olcott amendment was defeated by a
vote of 1OS to AZ.