Widow's Pension

Widow's Pension Before the Senate last week came bill No. 319 to increase the pension of Irene Rucker Sheridan. Her present pension: $2,500 per year. Proposed the bill: $5,000. The Senate pensions committee recommendation: $3,600.

Up rose Colorado's Senator Phipps, no candidate for reelection, a man of wealth and generosity. Said he:

"The action of the committee reducing the amount is a mistake. Mrs. Sheridan is the widow of General Phil Sheridan who had a wonderful record--Mrs. Sheridan is well along in years and in all human probability she will not enjoy the advantages of a pension for many years to come. I ask that the bill be approved in the original amount."

Gallantly the Senate snubbed its pensions committee, unanimously voted the widow of one of the nation's five generals $5,000 per year.* The bill must be acted upon by the House before she gets the money.

Today Mrs. Sheridan, now living in retirement in Washington, is almost 80. As a pretty brunette of 20, she married General Philip Henry ("Little Phil," 5 ft. 6 in.) Sheridan in 1875, when he was 44. He died in 1888, leaving her four children. A Roman Catholic, her last public appearance was four years ago when she went to Rome, knelt before Pope Pius XI, kissed his ring (TIME, May 31, 1926).

*The rank of General, voted by Congress, has been held only by Washington, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Pershing.

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