Evening star., 1930-06-26

of such proof is placed upon the Gov.
ernment. and all the experience of the
Veterans Bureau shows that such re.
buttal is ineffective, as the evidence
surrounding such questions, as q rule
cannot be secured or made clear and
I conclusive.
Additional inequalities and injus-
! tices arise from certain other provisions
At the present time any veteran who
! may become i'll or disabled as the in
7 cident of civil life is received in Gov
! ernment hospitals. If there is a vacant
/ bed, and given free treatment. This
! bill provides that such cases received
| in the hospitals shall, in addition to
| free treatment, also receive cash al
lowances, and that dependency allow
ance under certain restrictions shall be
made to their families. The number
of men of this type who are taken into
Federal hospitals depends upon the
number of beds unoccupied by men
actually disabled from illness or injury
incurred during the war, that being the
major purpose of the hospitals.
1t is. therefore. matter of accident
or luck as to whether q given veteran i'll
from sickness arising in civil life is able
to secure these facilities. An i'll and
destitute veteran may not have the luck
to find bed, in which case he neither
receives treatment nor does his family
receive an allowance. Yet veteran of
independent means may be fortunate
enough TO secure both. This is neither
equitable nor just.
Departure From Practice.
This bill departs from the traditional
basis upon which We have given sup
port to the veterans of the Civil and
Spanish Wars. We have always recog-
niZed the principle in that legislation
that the veterans of less than 80 days
service, unless they have disability In
CURED in line of duty, should be ex-
cluded from benefits because such men
have not been called to actual war serv-
ice. Recently in the Spanish war vet
eranS' bill, against my protest this was
reduced to 70 days, but in the bill we
are here considering, there is no re-
quirement whatever of service. and a
man with one days service after en-
rollment is entitled to all Of the bene-
fltS. Here We create at once ali injuS-
tlce between veterans of different wars
and between men whose lives were en-
dangered and those who incurred no
risks.
There is no provision in this bill
against men of independent means
claiming benefits from the Government
Tor these disabilities ARISING i'll civil life.
surely 1t Is Of vital importance to the
taxpayers, who directly or indirectly in
clude all veterans themselves, that they
snail not De called upon to contribute to
such men of independent means. More
over, 1t is equally important that the
amount the Nation can find for this
burden should not be dlSSipated over
those without need, but should be de-
voted to those who ar1 in actual need
A declaration of deStitution and pauper-
ISM from veterans is not necessary. !
have never advocated Sucn a declara-
ton. 1t can, however, easily be provided
In any legislation that the Secretary of
the Treasury should return TO the Vet
Grams Bureau statement of the men
who are exempt from Income taxes at
some level to be determined by Congress.
i have already protested to Congress
In other connections against the inclu-
sion Of compensation for disablement
due to vicious habits. This bill con-
templates compensation for some mis-
conduct disabilities, the whole concep-
ton OF which must be repugnant to de-
cent family life.
Effect on Treasury.
mo government can proceed with In
telligence that does not take into ac-
count the fiscal effects of its actions.
This bill, in a wasteful and extravagant
manner, goes far beyond the financial
necessities of the situation. Gen. Hines.
a1ter renewed examination, reports that
this Dill, as finally passed, will cost
Sl10,OOO,0 600 the first year; that this
VIII increase to an annual burden of
$235, 100000 and continue during the
life OF these veterans. The provision In
the bill for review after three years. in
my view, will never relieve us from
commitments once entered upon. And
This is but portion of the costs. be-
cause the bill. as enacted, contains
indirect liabilities to the Government
OF uncertain but very large possibilities
The amendments to section 10 of the
World War veterans act will increase
the liabilities of the Government by a
total of over $40 900 900 and the amend
inentS to section 206 or 209 of the act
VIII increase liabilities to q substantial
but uncertain amount.
These costs are beyond the CAPACITY
OF the Government at the present time
without increased taxation. They are
larger than the veterans have them
selves proposed.
Beyond this, and Of vital import
ance. are the potential obligations
winch are created and must finally be
met. For instance, If we attempt to
set up system of relief to veterans
suffering from disabilities incurred in
clYl life by establishing the presump-
tions OF this bill, then we cannot with
Harness stop with a preferred group
OF $4,000 to 100000 men. We shall
nave 10 extend these presulnptionS