Evening journal., 1916-05-08
PENSION OF WIDOWS
NOT YET Increased
Congressman Miller Cor
reefs a Prevalent Erro-
neouS Impression
CONGRESS MAY
so PROVIDE

Correcting wrong impression
seemingly prevalent here, that widows
OF Civil War veterans are now en-
titled to 500 a month pension. Con-
gressman Thomas w. Miller stated
today that no change has yet been
made in the general pension legisla-
ton under the present Congress. Mr..
Miller was of the opinion that people
are probably confused by the fact
that the Ashbrook bill. which pro-
yides for widows pension increase,
has been reported favorably TO the
House OF Representatives by the
committee on invalid pensions, and
will probably be passed before the
adjournment OF Congress.
The Ashbrook bill will. II passed,
increase the pension Of a widow who
was the lawful wife OF a soldier dur
ing the period OF his service in the
Civil War from S12 to 500 per month
This cares for the so-called war
widows Since the average age of
Civil War soldiers was IS years. the
per cent. OF soldiers who were mar
ried previous TO or during their serv-
ice in the war is thought to be insig-
niicant. and the surviving widows
comparatively few.
In addition. the measure provides
for pension OF $50 per month for all
Civil War widows who have now
reached or who may hereafter
reach" the age Of 10 years. They may
be now on the pension rolls or their
names may hereafter be placed there
on" The House OF Representatives
has passed bill giving a pension OF
Sl2 per month to the widows OF Span
ishish VIZ soldiers. or men who
fought in the Philippine insurrecuon
or in China.
BY provisions Of the Ashhrook bill
all widows of Civil War soldiers who
may hereafter be dropped from the pen-
sion roll by reason of their marriage 10
other persons who are now or who may
become widows hv reason Of the death
Of their husbands; OF who NAV be d.
vorced upon their own application. are
restored to their former pensionahle
status. Had such widows not remarked,
Mr., Miller says, they would have con.
tinuod 10 draw widows pensions. I'm
its report on the bill the House commit
tee ventures the opinion that the
widows marriage resulted in a saving ia
the government. and that no pension
legislation should discriminate or opar-
ate against marriage. It's members are
n the opinion that existing restrictions
should be repealed. The bill also pro.
vides that pension benefits shall accrue
under its restrictions TO any widow
who married a soldier or sailor prior tc
June %. 1905. and that its benefits
shall also include those widows whose
husbands. If living. would have a pen.
sionahle status under Joint resolutions
Of February -, 1925; July ! 1902, and
June 2s. 1909.
widows of the Civil War" the commit.
tee reports on the bill, "did not receive
pensions until 1890, or nearly 81 years
after the close of the war. and then only
IS per month, which was increased Ia
$40 per month in 1906. The Civil WaI
was one Of the bloodest and most en-.
during wars of modern times. and tho
increase of pensions Of the widows OF
this war TO $40 when they reached tho
advanced age of 20 years. when com.
pared with pensions given to widows OF
the soldiers Of other wars. is still made
quately rated Only a small per cent
Of widows live beyond the age of e
years. None are able TO earn their owl
support who live beyond three score anr
ten years, and a pension Of 500 pei
month for those who live beyond In,
age Of 20 wears means less than Sl2 pei
month for younger women who are abl,
to work and support themselves. tn,
committe feels that this increase il
warranted.
Under the act OF June q. 1890. nc
widow who married. a soldier after
that date Is entitled to a pension
There was possibly good cause at that
lime for this restriction. for II Is
claimed young women quite otter
married old soldiers largely because
Of the prospect OF securing a pension
Special acts have been passed for q
number OF years. for widows whI
we're married since the passage OF tho
act OF 1890. about twenty-six years
ago. This bill raises the marriage
limit fifteen years. or until June p
1905. No woman who married a sol
dier the past eleven years. or who MAJ
hereafter marry a soldier. will be en-
titled to a pension. No woman whC
has married during the past twenty
six years can he charged with hav
ing done so with the expectancy of re
ceiving a pension. The committee be
lieves that an act lifting this restric
ton for a period OF fifteen years il
ully warranted"
COp HATS CRAP CAME.