A130 Earl Mickener Retires EXTENSION OF REMARKS HON. RICHARD B. WIGGLESWORTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, January 12, 1951 Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks in the Recorp, I inelude the following state~ ment appearing in the Adrian Daily Tele- gram, of Adrian, Mich., on January 4, 1951, in reference to our former col- league, Earl Michener, of Michigan: Eagi MICHENER RETIRES In the closing days of the Eighty-first Con- gress words of high praise were spoken by Democrats and Republicans alike in the House of Representatives for the service per- formed there over the years by Earl C. Mich- ener. They are richly deserved. Mr. Michener has served the Second Mich- igan District devotedly and sincerely. He has been especially close to his constituents, winning the support and admiration of his district in a way it has been the good for- tune of few Members of Congress to enjoy. Yet Earl Michener has always been guided by his conscience and his country’s interest. If we were speaking a tribute in Congress to Mr. Michener’s work as a public servant we would repeat what Edmund Burke told the British Parliament, back in 1774, about the duties of a representative. Burke sald: “Surely, gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest corre- spondence, and the most unreserved com- munication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion high respect; their business un- remitted attention. It is his duty to sacri- fice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfaction to theirs; and, above all, ever, and jn all cases, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. ‘These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from providence for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you not his industry only but his judgment; which he betrays, instead of serving you, !f he sacrifices it to your opinion.” World War II Veterans’ Benefits—Part | EXTENSION OF REMARKS HON. CARL ELLIOTT OF ALABAMA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, January 12, 1951 Mr. ELLIOTT. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks, I include part I of a summary of major World War TI veterans’ benefits, as carried in the December 19, 1950, issue of the Disabled American Veterans’ Semimonthly: RovunpDvup or Mason Worup War II Veterans’ BENeErits (Evrror’'s Norr.—Basic eligibility require- ments for all major benefits that VA ad- Ministers for World War II veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries in the United States, its pcs...s.ons aud Territories, and in foreign countries are briefly outlined be- low. More detalled information may be ob- tained from any VA office in the United States, its possessions or Territories or from any DAV national service officer. In foreign countries, it may be obtained from any United States Foreign Service office.) MEDICAL AND DOMICILIARY BENEFITS Hospitalization: World War II veterans, if discharged or separated under conditions other than dishonorable, are entitled to VA hospital treatment, under the following priority system: First. Emergency cases. Second. Those suffering from injuries or diseases incurred or aggravated in line of duty during wartime service, Third. Those who state under oath that they are unable to pay hospital charges for treatment of non-service-connected disabil- ities or illnesses. These veterans, if not in the emergency category, must wait until a bed becomes available. Emergency patients may be taken directly to the nearest VA hospital. If possible, the veteran, or someone acting for him or her, should communicate with VA by telephone or telegraph. In all other cases the veteran, his nearest relative, guardian, or representative, should fill in the proper form for hospital care. These forms are available at any VA office, If admission to a VA hospital or home has been approved, Government transportation may be provided as follows: 1. Hospitals: To the hospital and, upon completion of treatment in service-con- nected cases, to his or her home. This serv- ice may be provided for non-service-con- nected cases if they are unable to pay for the transportation, 2, Homes: To a VA domiciliary home. Domiciliary care: Domiciliary care is de- signed to provide a home for those vet- erans who have a chronic condition which incapacitates them from earning a living and who require minimal medical attention. Requirements for admission for domiciliary care are essentially the same as for hospital treatment. Transportation at Government expense as a rule js provided only for the initial admission. The veteran, or his nearest relative, guard- jan or representative, should obtain pread- mission approval from the nearest VA in- stallation having facilities for doniicillary care. Outpatient medical treatment: Outpatient medical care is available for veterans in need of treatment for service-connected disabili- ties. Under this plan, eligible World War II veterans may receive treatment at VA hospli- tals or other field stations furnishing medical treatment, or from approved private physi- cians. Each veteran's eligibility must be de- termined by VA before treatment of this type can be authorized. Necessary drugs may be obtained from home-town druggists at Government expense by veterans who are authorized to report to private physicians for treatment. Outpatient dental treatment: Veterans en- titled to outpatient dental treatment may, upon VA approval, be furnished dental treat- ment by private dentists at Government ex- pense. Here, again, the condition must be determined by VA to have been incurred in, or made worse by, the veteran’s wartime service before treatment can be authorized. Preliminary examinations may be made in a VA dental clinic or, if VA dental facilities are not feasibly available, by a participating dentist. Treatment, if approved, may be completed in a VA clinic, or the veteran may be assigned to an approved private-dentist. Prosthetic service: A veteran’s eligibility for prosthetic appliances may be established if (1) he has a service-connected or service- APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD aggravated disability requiring an appliance or (2) if an appliance is determined neces- gary as a part of hospital treatment or domi- ciliary care. Complete information and necessary forms tor procuring needed appliances, equipment, and repairs are available at any VA office. Examinations: Free medical examinations if required will be given veterans filing com-~- pensation claims. Veterans desiring to rein- state their national service Mfe insurance may receive a physical examination free of charge at any VA medical office. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION Eligible disabled veterans may receive edu- cation or training at Government expense, with tuition, supplies, and, in many cases, subsistence allowance provide by the Voca- tional Rehabilitation Act (Public Law 16, 78th Cong., as amended). Eligibility: Disabled veterans are eligible if: (1) They had active service between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947; (2) they were discharged or separated under conditions other than dishonorable; (3) they have a service-connected or aggravated dis- ability which would entitle them to com- pensation (even if they are not receiving disability compensation); and (4) VA deter- mines they need vocational training to over- come their handicap. All four conditions must be met. Length of training: Eligible veterans may get training for as long as is neCessary to restore their ability to work, up to a total of 4 years. Veterans may apply for vocational rehabilitation at any time after their dis- charge but in time to complete their traln- ing by July 25, 1956. Type of training: Before disabled veterans begin training, they will be interviewed by VA counselors. If necessary, they will be given a series of tests to determine their aptitudes and interests, This, together with a review of the veterans’ past experiences, will enable the VA counselor and training officer to help the veterans decide the type of training they should get. Eligible veterans may be: (1) Enrolled in schools or colleges; (2) placed in apprentice- ship or other training on the job; or (3) entered in institutional on-farm training programs or other programs which combine school and job training. Subsistence allowances: While in training and for 2 months after rehabilitation, the disabled veterans may receive subsistence al- lowances in addition to their disability com- pensation, Basic monthly subsistence rates for dis- abled veterans studying full-time in schools and colleges are $75 without dependents, $105 with one dependent, and $120 with more than one dependent. Basic rates for job trainees are $65 without dependents and $90 with one or more de- pendents. Rates for veterans enrolled in combina- tion types of training may be somewhat higher than the job-training rates, Additional allowances may be provided, de- pending on the veterans’ degree of disability and the number of additional dependents they have. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Eligible veterans may receive education or training at Government expense, with tui- tion, supplies, and in many cases, a subsist- ence allowance provided by the QI bill. Eligibility: Veterans are eligible if: (1) they were in active military service some time be- tween September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947; (2) they served 90 days or more or were dis- charged before 90 days of service for a dis- ability actually incurred in service; (8) they were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, All three conditions must be met.
APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Length of training: Eligible veterans may get a course of training not to exceed 1 year plus @ period equal to the time served jn the Armed Forces, between the above- mentioned dates, up to a maximum of ¢ years. Veterans must start their training within 4 years from date of discharge or July 25, 1951, whichever is later, and complete it by July 26, 1986. Type of training: Eligible veterans may choose their own course of training in any school or establishment approved by the ap- propriate State approval agency. Generally, the school must have been in operation on its own for at least 1 year prior to the date of the veteran's enrollment. Veterans may: (1) Enroll in schools or colleges; (2) take ap- prenticeship or other training on the job; (8) enroll in institutional on-farm training, or other programs which combine school and job training; or (3) select correspondence- schoo] courses. The law does not permit a veteran to take a course for avocational or recreational pur- poses, If the course is one which ts frequent- jy pursued for such purposes, the veteran must submit to VA complete justification or sworn affidavits that the course he wants will be useful to him in earning a living, Prior approval of VA must be obtained before he may start such training. After a veteran has commenced a course he must at all times maintain satisfactory conduct and progress. If he wants to change from one course to another he first should consult VA, for the law has established some limitations on course changes. Subsistence allowances’ Veterans entering any type of training (except correspondence- school instruction) may be eligible to rocetve subsistence allowances, Maximum monthly allowances for veter- ans studying full time in schools and col- leges are 875 wilhout dependents, $105 with one dependent, and 6120 with more than one dependent, Maximum rates for job trainees are 866 without dependents and 890 with one or more dependents. Rates for veterans enrolled in combina- tion types of training may be somewhat high- er than the job-training rates. These amounts are reduced for part-time courses and also may be affected by the ex- tent of a veteran's earnings. GY BILL LOANS FOR HOMES, FARMS, AND BUSINESS A veteran who served at any time between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947, and was discharged under conditions other than dis- honorable after at least 90 days’ active serv- ice (or for service-incurred disability in less than 90 days) may qualify for a GI loan. Unremarried widows of men who served during that period and who died as the result of service may also qualify. Three types of loans are permissible: (1) To purchase, construct, or improve a home; (2) ta buy a farm, farm land, stock, feed, and seed, farm machinery, and other farm supplies and equipment, and (3) to buy 3 business or otherwise to enable a veteran to undertake or expand a legitimate business venture. Under certain conditions, loans may be ob- tained to liquidate delinquent indebtedness incurred in connection with these three categories. Normally, VA is not empowered to lend money to the veteran. He makes his own arrangements for the loan through the usual financing channels, VA then guaran- tees the lender against loss up to 50 percent of the loan, with a maximum guaranty of $4,000 on real estate and $2,000 on non-real- eatate loans. If the veteran has previously used none of his loan guaranty entitlement, his home loan may qualify for a guaranty of 60 per- cent of the loan with a maximum guaranty of 87,500. Under oertain conditions, VA also is au- thorized to make & limited number of direct, Government loans to veterans for the pur- chase or construction of a home in areas where private mortgage financing at an in- terest rate of 4 percent is not available. The interest rate on GI loans normally may not exceed 4 percent per year on the unpaid balance. In the case of all GI loans, VA pays the lender, for credit to the veteran's loan ac- count, an amount equal to 4 percent, but not more than $160 of the guaranteed por- tion of the loan. This ts a gift to the veteran and not a loan. Veterans, and widows as well, have until July 25, 1957, in which to apply for GI loans, READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES Any veteran who served a minimum of 16 days between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947, and was discharged under condi- tions other than dishonorable after nt least 90 days of total service (or for service-in- curred disability in Jess than 90 days) may qualify for unemployment or self-employ- ment allowances. The period of entitlement is based on length of service between those dates, with the veteran receiving 8 weeks of allowances for each of the first 8 months of such service and 4 weeks for each additional month. The major fraction of a month counts as a full month. The maximum entitlement for unemploy- ment allowances is 52 weeks, and for self- employment, 10% months. Eligible veterans may claim readjustment allowances during periods of total or partial unemployment or when self-employed and earning less than 8100 a month. A veteran has 2 years from date of dis- charge in which to claim readjustment allow- ances, but no payments may be made for any week which begins later than July 26, 1952. Unemployment allowances: The veteran must be able to work and be available for suitable work, He must register for work with a public employment office, where he also files his claim. Unemployed veterans receive @20 per week. PartialJy employed veterans get $20, less net earnings during the week in excess of 83. Self-employment allowances: Self-em- ployed veterans also make application at a public employment office. They receive $100 per month, less any net earnings during the month, if they are fully engaged throughout the month, and for profit. ARMED FORCES RECRUITMENT ACT ENLISTEES The Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 provided that persons enlisting or reenlisting in the Armed Forces between October 6, 1945, and October 6, 1946, may count the entire period of such enlistment or reenlistment as war service for purposes of GI bill benefits, regardless of the date the war was declared officially: ended. Such enlistees, therefore, may substitute the date that their period of enlistment ended in computing their benefits where that date is later than July 26, 1947, Dating from the end of the enlistment period, such enlistees will have; (1) Ten years in which to use their loan guaranty rights; (2) the full period in which to ac- crue entitlement for education and train- ing. 4 years in which to commence train- ing, and 9 years to complete it; (3) the full period in which to sccrue entitlement for readjustment allowances for unemployment or self-employment, and a maximum of 5 years from that date (or 3 years from dis- cnarge, whichever is earlier) in which to claim them. A131 Equalization of Disability Pension Tax Exemption EXTENSION OF REMARKS or HON. JACOB K. JAVITS OFr NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, January 12, 1951 Mr. JAVITS. Mr. Speaker, I append hereto the substance of two letters from the Pensioners Protective Association of America, Inc., which relate to H. R, 1198, the text of which is also appended, which I have introduced to exempt dis- ability pension for Government work- ers disabled in the line of their duties and forced to retire. This bill is an effort to equalize the treatment now af- forded certain Government workers on disability pensions, such as firemen and policemen. From letter of March 16, 1949; As you know several States now exempt from taxation disability pensions paid to retired Government employees for disability received in the performance of their duties. In a recont Federal court decision exemp- tion was likewise extended to these retired disabled Government employees on the basis that the disability pension is equivalent to and in lieu of workmen’s compensation benefits which are wholly tax exempt. En- closed ig a copy of the summary of the Washington, D. C., Federal district court case and also a copy of a letter from the Treasury Department, and you will note that the case and the letter refers to firemen and policemen. We are having a considerable amount of trouble with the Treasury Department when the disabled Government employee ia not a fireman or a policeman and applies for tax exemption on his disability pension. There are many cases where street cleaners, high- way workers, and various kinds of me- chanios and, in fact, office workers have been disabled in the line of their duties and are forced torctire. * * * In fact, In a recent claim Aled tn behalf of a department of correction employee of the city of New York, a member of the New York Employees’ Retirement System, who was injured on the job as a result of an acci- dent and forced to retire In September 1943, had to battle with the Collector of Internal Revenue's affice from March 1944 up to June 1948 to get any consideration on his case, and only after we interceded in his behalf and were allowed to file a formal claim for him in July 1948 was any appropriate ac- tion taken, and finally in November 1948 the Bureau of Internal Revenue granted him tax exemption on his disability pension but re- fused to allow him any refund for income taxes paid on his pension for the year of 1944. There are dozens of other cases simi- lar to his now pendimg for disposition. We wonder would you be kind enough to consider this matter and, if you fee) that these disabled retired Goverment employees are deserving of consideration, to sponsor a bill similar to the one in the last session of Congress to give them aid and reef from Federal taxation on their disability pensions, From letter of December 28, 1950: As you know, all the types of health, acci- dent, sickness, workmen's compensation, and disability benefits are income-tax exempt and as all other types of social legislative benefits are tax exempt, we can see no rea- aon why the Internal Revenue Code has dis- criminated against Government employees
A132 in not granting tax exemption to disability benefits paid to thelr employees on forced retirement (States et al.). The text of H. R. 1198 follows: Be it enacted, etc., That section 22 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code is amended by inserting after the words “(including per- sonal service as an officer or employee of & Stato, or any political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing”) the following: “except pensions, retirement allowances, and annuity payments received by such o former officer or employee from such source because of disability arising solely out of such employment.” World War II Veterans’ Benefite—Part II EXTENSION OF REMARKS HON. CARL ELLIOTT OF ALABAMA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, January 12, 1951 Mr. ELLIOTT. Mr. Speaker, as a part of my remarks, I include part II of a summary of major World War II vet- erans’ benefits taken from the December 19, 1950, issue of the Disabled American Veterans’ Semimonthly: Rounb-vup or Mason WoRLD War II VETERANS’ BENEFITS DISABILITY COMPENSATION A veteran disabled by injury or disease in- curred in, or aggravated by, service during World War It may qualify for disability com- pensation. He must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Monthly rates range from $15 to 8150, de- pending on the degree of disability, plus statutory awards for amputations, blindness, etc., up to a maximum of $360. Veterans rated 50 percent or more disabled receive additional sums for dependents. DISABILITY PENSION A World War II veteran who becomes per- manently and totally disabled for reasons not traceable to his service in the Armed Forces may be entitled to pension. He must have been discharged under con- ditions other than dishonorable after a minimum of 90 days service, or else dis- charged for dis@pility in less than 90 days. The veteran is disqualified if his income exceeds $1,000 a year !f he is single or $2,600 if he ts married or has a minor child. The monthly rate {s $60, which is increased to $72 after 10 years or when the veteran reaches age 65. DEATH COMPENSATION The widow, children, and dependent par- ents of a deceased World War II veteran whose death was due to service may qualify for death compensation. A widow loses her entitlement if she re- marries, The child loses entitlement, normally, upon reaching age 18, Monthly amounts vary according to the number and relationship of the dependents. Examples are: widow, no children, $75; one child alone, no widow, 658; one parent, $60. DEATH PENSION The widow and children of certain de- ceased World War II veterans may be entitled to death pension benefits where the vet- eran died of causes not due to service. Such dependents of a veteran who, at time of death, was receiving or entitled to receive compensation for service-connected dis- ability are eligible. Otherwise, the veteran must have served at least 90 days (or have been discharged for service-incurred dis- ability before 90 days of service) and, at time of death, had a service-connected disability of less than 10 percent, The widow is disqualified if her annual n- come exceeds $1,000, or $2,500 if. she had a child or children. A child with an income in excess of $1,000 per year is not eligible. A widow loses her entitlement upon remar-~ riage, and children normally become in- eligible when they reach age 18. A widow alone receives $42 per month, with additional allowances for children. Where there is no widow, a single child is entitled to $21.60, with added amounts for more chil- dren. NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE INSURANCE A veteran of World War II who served at any time between October 8, 1940, and Sep- tember 2, 1945, inclusive, is eligible to apply for up to $10,000 of national service life insurance, whether or not he took out such insurance while in service or has since let it lapse. He may get term {nsurance or any of six permanent plans available—ordinary life, 30- payment life, 20-payment Hife, 20-year en- dowment, endowment at age 60, and endow- ment at age 65. No one may at any time hold more than $10,000 worth of Government insurance, in- cluding United States Government life (World War I) insurance, Term and permanent policies which have been allowed to lapse may be reinstated within 8 months from date of lapse, pro- vided the insured is in as good health at the time of reinstatement as he was when the insurance lapsed. He must furnish the necessary information to establish that fact, preferably on VA Form 9~353 or 9-358a. After 3 months of lapse, a physical exami- nation is required. This will be given with- out charge at any VA regional office or hospital. Term insurance may be reinstated by pay- ing only two monthly premiums, but for permanent policies, payment of all premi- ums in arrears with interest is required. CARS FOR DISABLED VETERANS A World War II veteran who in service lost, or lost the use of, one or both legs at or above the ankle may be entitled to receive an automobile or other conveyance at Gov- ernment expense, VA defrays the cost of the vehicle, includ- ing any special equipment necessary to en- able the disabled veteran to operate it safely, up to a maximum amount of $1,600. For vehicles costing over $1,600, VA pays $1,600 of the purchase price. Veterans have until June 30, 1951, to apply. AID IN ACQUIRING SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING A veteran of war or peacetime service who is entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability for loss or loss of use of both legs due to certain specified conditions such as to prevent him from moving about without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair, may qualify for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing with special fixtures made necessary by the nature of his disability. Eligible veterans will receive Federal grants of not more than 50 percent of the cost of their homes up to a maximum of $10,000 with which to pay part of the Cost of puilding or buying such homes, or to re- model existing homes for their requirements. The grant also may be used to pay off the indebtedness on such a special home already acquired by an eligible veteran. GUARDIANSHIP SERVICE Incompetent World War II veterans, their minor dependents, and incompetent benef- ciaries, are entitled to protection of their estates derived from benefits paid by the Vet- erans' Administration under acts of Con- gress. APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Such protection is provided by the chief attorneys of VA ‘regional offices, in accord- ance with State and Federal laws and VA regulations, acting under the direction and supervision of the legal service (guardian- ship) of the VA solicitor's office, The chief attorneys maintain supervision Over guardiuns appointed by State (probate and county) courts, as well as legal custo- dians recognized by VA in their respective jurisdictions, BURIAL BENEFITS Funeral expenses, up to $150, will be paid by the Government in the death of any World War II veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Additional costs, covering transportation, will be allowed if the veteran died in a VA hospital or home, or while hospitalized at the expense of VA, or while in transit to or from a VA hospital, home, or regional office at the expense of VA. All claims must be filed with the VA within 2 years from the date of permanent burial, These allowances are payable only to under- takers or to reimburse the person who paid the funeral expenses. BURIAL FLAG An American flag ‘o drape the casket, which may be retained as a memorial by the next of kin, is supplied tn the death of veterans who have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Such flags are is-~ sued upon application, by VA field offices, most first,- second-, and third-class post Offices, and those fourth-class post offices located in county seats. VA BENEFITS AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF UNITED STATES (a) Untted States possessions and Terri- tories: Ordinarily, all VA benefits available to World War II veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries in the continental United States are also available to them in the United States possessions and Territories. Certain exceptions are inevitable because of conditions peculiar to each area. For de- tailed information in any single case, check with the nearest VA Office in the United States, or directly with the affected VA office in Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. (b) Foreign countries: Most VA benefits are available to World War II veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries who are resid- ing in foreign countries. Benefits not available are readjustment allowances for unemployment and selfi-em- ployment, and loan guaranties on properties or businesses situated in foreign countries. Hospitalization or medical treatment is available only to a United States citizen- veteran residing temporarily in a foreign country who requires such care for a war service-connected disability. The United States Foreign Service cooper- ates with VA in the administration of bene- fits available to veterans, their dependents or beneficiaries in foreign areas. Any query originating in a foreign country should be directed to the nearest United States diplomatic or consular office in that country. (¢) Philippine Republic: VA maintains Offices in the Philippines to administer VA benefits in the Republic. World War II veterans in the Philippines and the VA benefits for which they are eli- gible fall into three groups. They are: Group 1: World War II veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the Philippine Scouts who enlisted prior to October 6, 1945. Such veterans are eligible for all benefits that are available to veterans residing in any foreign country. (See (b), foreign country benefits above.) Group 2: World War II veterans who en- listed or reenlisted in the Philippine Scouts between October 6, 1945, and June 30, 1947,
APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD under Public Law 190, Seventy-ninth Con- gress. VA benefit payments with respect to the military service of this group are limited by title II, Public Law 391, Seventy-ninth Con- gress, to compensation for service-connected disability or death, at the rate of one Phtlip- pine peso for each dollar authorized by law. Provisions of the National Service Life In- surance Act of 1940, as amended, apply to this group only as such provisions relate to contracts entered into before passage of Pub- lic Law 891, Seventy-ninth Congress, ap- proved March 27, 1946. Group 8: World War II veterans who served in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, in- cluding recognized guerrillas, while such forces were in the service of the United States Armed Forces under a military order of the President of the United States, dated July 26, 1041. VA benefit payments with respect to the military service of this group are limited by title II, Public Law 301, Seventy-ninth Con- gress, to compensation for service-connected disability or death, at the rate of one Philip- pine peso for each dollar authorized by law. National service life insurance benefits apply to this group only if the NSLI contracts were entered into prior to the enactment of Public Law 301, Seventy-ninth Congress, ap- proved February 18, 1046. APPEALS The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is available for rendering final decisions in all cases ap- pealed to the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs, wherein a claimant has been denied benefits to which he claims entitlement. The Board has no original jurisdiction; its work is similar to that of a court of appeals. (Appeals arising under readjustment allow- ances are expected ) What the People Are Telling Congress About the Removal of Acheson EXTENSION OF REMARKS oF HON. GORDON L. McDONOUGH OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, January 12, 1951 Mr. McDONOUGH. Mr. Speaker, the sickening reports of continuous United Nations defeat in Korea and the out- rageous waste of American lives parade before the Nation a ceaseless indictment of Secretary of State Dean Acheson for his complete failure to develop a foreign policy in the Far East which would have operated in the best interest of the United States, and of President Truman for his stubborn support of the Acheson policies. For the first time in the history of our Nation, we have lost the initiative and have become the victim of the whim and caprice of Communist Soviet Russia and Red China. Acheson has blindly led us into this position aided and supported by President Truman. Never before in our history have lead- ership and wisdom in high places been 80 Jacking, and the Government been ren- dered so impotent as it is in this critical period due to the mistakes of the admin- istration. In these crucial days, we cannot ac- cept incompetent leadership without question. The stakes are too high. The future existence of our Nation, the main- tenance of our form of government on this earth, depends upon competent, sure decisive leadership in the United States now. The people are awake to their danger, and are demanding the removat! of Ache- son as Secretary of State. And the voice of the people must be heard. A recent survey reported in a late issue of the United States News and World Report entitled “What the People Are Telling Congress” tells the story of the rising demand from the people. That survey which follows is worthy of atten- tion of every citizen of the Nation. War tHe Proprs Are TELLING OONGRESS: “Grr Rip or ACHESON” AND “LISTEN TO Hoover" The folks back home are writing their Congressmen : “Fire Acheson.” The mail is heavily against him. “Follow Hoover.” Mail on the former Pres- ident’s defense plan is divided, but moat letter writers are for it. Congressional mail, over all, shows voters are anxious, apprehensive. But it won't have much bearing on Truman policies. If letters to Congressmen accurately ex- press the voice of the people, two things are likely to happen: Dean Acheson will be replaced as Secretary of State. This country will tend to reduce commit- ments abroad as former President Herbert Hoover suggests. The voters who write to Congress clamor for those two changes. In actual fact, however, letters to Congress are not as influential as they often are sup- posed to be. The volume of mail is small in relation to total voters. Sometimes letters are inspired and follow a pattern. Some- times they obviously come from cranks and are discounted. Letter writers often are persons with set, long-standing, viewpoints, or deep prejudices, who do not necessarily refiect the thinking of the people as a whole. Public-opinion polls show that the general public frequently 1s on one side of an issue and the comparatively few persons who write to Congressmen are on the opposite side. The Congressmen them- selves, urged by letter writers to vote one way, often vote the other. These writers, nevertheless, do give some- thing of a clue to the thinking of the public. Senators and Representatives do pay close attention to views in the mail. They find, at the moment, thinking that can to some de- gree be measured. Thousands of constituents in letters blame Mr. Acheson for setbacks in Korea and for those parts of foreign policy they dislike. They demand his removal. Congress cannot fire Dean Acheson, and President Truman insists he will not do so. Yet the anti- Acheson mail, although it has fallen off great- ly, still is sizable. Herbert Hoover's ideas on the role this country should play in the world now begin to rival the Acheson issue as a cause for let- ter writing Mr. Hoover has suggested that the United States convert the Western Hem- isphere into another Gibraltar, that it draw back from its guaranties to base its defenses on the Elbe River in Europe, unleas Europe shows much more determination to defend taelf. Mail at first was almost entirely from pro- Hoover writers. Then second thoughts be- gan to occur, and the majority in favor of his plan began to decline. But the edge, definitely, remains on the side of Hoover, as the tabulation on page 21 indicates. This tabulation js a rough measure of sentiment as mirrored by mail to Members of the Sen- ate. It does not represent a letter-by-lotter count but an apprateal by Senators and their astistants who keep track of the mail, A133 The volume of letters on Mr. Hoover has not béen up to that on Mr. Acheson. Total volume might be 10,000 letters—15,000 at the outside. That cannot be classed as an avalanche. Yet the former President obvi- ously touched a nerve that was sensitive. Many of the people back home tell their Sen- atora that Mr. Hoover put into words just what they have been thinking and wanting to say. An Ohio housewife writes her Senator: “His address is an answer to our prayers.” A Kansas cattle breeder: “Pull out of Asta and Europe and arm to the teeth for Western Hemisphere defense. If this is isolation- ism—#o be it.” Fear and confusion are dominant notes tn much of the mail. Some writers complain that the United States lacks a definite policy for combating communism. They seine on the Hoover plan as something concrete. An Iowa farmer sums it up: “Mr. Hoover's speech offers a plan and 4& hope, As of now we have neither.” Some people fear that, for the firat time, the United States may lose x war. Instead of sending more troops abroad they want to pull back those already overseas and get set at home for whatever is to come. A Missourian says: “We are already whipped. Bring our boys back and defend our country.” Constituents of an Illinois Senator plead: “Let us not send our men and boys to slaughter on foreign soil. * * *° Is it treason to be called an isolationist, or is it treason to send boys into Korea to die? * * © We must not send our troops to Europe to die in a futile war and bleed Amer- ica white.” A Kansas army veteran puts it this way: “Tt is high time to push our chips out of the game and begin to protect our own country. I'm for Mr. Herbert Hoover's plan 100 per- cent.” In contrast, another Kansas veteran has this to say: “In our present-day civiliza- tion * * * tsolationism has no place whatever.” And a Connecticut housewife calls the Hoover proposal “ostrichlike isola- tion * * %. Burope is lost without our aid, and without Europe the United States could not hope to stand.” Downright anger runs through many let- ters attacking Sccretary Acheson and the way United States foreign policy is handled. Some typical portions of letters to a Mary- land Senator: “Never before have I been so angered, so appalled by the tragedy of badly conducted, possibly corrupi, Government * * *. Let us stop the appeasing and clean the wax- mustached Acheson and gang out and also Truman with the lot * * *. Can you imagine our President going cruising down the Potomac and attending football games while our boys are being slaughtered? * * *¢ Impeach Truman * * *. Impeach Ache- son.” A simple working man, writing in pencil on a postcard to a western Senator, says, however: “I feel certain that we need Ache- son. The opposition is making him a scape- goat.” Another defender declares: “The cur- rent sniping at * * ® Acheson by the’ political vultures has reached the revolting stage.” Three key facts, the record shows, are oVver- looked by most of the writers. Internationalist Congress: First fact that fe overlooked is this: Since the end of World ‘War II, Congress consistently bas taken a stand on the side of internationalism rather than nationalism. It did this under both Republican and Democratic control, and it is expected to continue the trend. Senator Rosen A. Tart of Ohio, a leading Republican and a leading critic of the administration, votes at times for internationalism. The United Nations Charter, committing United States to collective-security measures, was ratified in 1945 by a Senate vote of 89 to 2, with a two-thirds majority required.