Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16


=, ,shdre done for their i0ar OeteTGrs,
and ,otat they contemplate dotEeJ
what is the matter with veteran re-
iiefq
What has the Government of the
United States done to take care of her
: soldiers OF the World War?
What Is the Hoover administration
going to recommend to Congress in
December particularly regarding in
of different wars?
What new demands for relief will
bob up?
These are big questions, and they
are being carefully considered not only
= by those in charge of the adVninistra-
ton OF the law. but by many veterans
organizations, which present their own
programs, their own proposals and
-panaceas.
Something will come up when Con-
gress gets back. Gen. Frank T. Hines.
administrator of veterans affairs, says
a new policy is needed. He plans to
ask Congress to do something. But
~the details have not been divulged.
Millions of Americans and fheir
families are directly concerned for any
veterans legislation 10 likely to strike
them in the pocket nerve, whether
favorably or unfavorably.
{ With the world depression, a huge
deficit In the United States Treasury
for the fiscal year which ended June
80, and prospects for q reiuggling of
international financial obligations grow
ing out Of the reopening Of any kind
of veterans legislation with prospects
of q change in benefits. even for a
leveiing Of these, is bound to provoks
sharpest scrutiny, and long and lively
debate.
Administration for New Deal.
Despite this, the administration appears
ready now to put its hand to the pillow
and cut new, clean furrow across the
field Of veteran relief
Immediately after the war there we're
many and varied places where the vet
eran had to go for relief Sometimes
he would be sent to two or three cities
to get what he was after.
There was the Navy Department or
War Department. from whose service the
{ man had just been discharged. There
was the Bureau CT War Risk Insurance,
which handled his insurance and COM
pensation There was the Public Health
Service Of the Treasury Department,
which examined him for disability. And
II he was found sufficiently disabled he
> was turned over to still another group,
the Federal Beard for Vocational Edu-
cation, to be trained for q career.
Excellent work was done in these bu-
feaus and departments, but improve
: ment still was sought in the general
problem OF administration. And 30 con-
sUlidAtion became he order. The Vet
Grams Bureau was Established to pick up
the various functions from all depart
kaf4 a.
with the veterans OF the World war
So several fences were torn down and
finally the veteran could 20 to the Vet
Grams Bureau alone for the solution Of
all problems related 70 his insurance.
compensation and allowances.
Under spur Of the American LEGION.
Disabled American Veterans and other
organizations pie6eueal LEGISLATION went
forward from year TO year. adding hos
pttals. BENEFITS, bonus, higher pay for
disability and mere Ienlent treatment.
Going Baek to other wars.
The prospect for this Winter, when
Congress gets back, will involve more
than merely legislation regarding vet
Grams Of the World War Il q likely
70 touch on legislation for veterans Of
al wars
As the Veterans Bureau opened the
ASAu 4OE Nbtcf6uS OF tine World war, so
the new Veterans Administration. which
went into full effect July /, has cleared
away the fences between veterans Of
Inherent wars and merged the outfits
Under one man, Gen. Hines.
THIS last merger eliminated the Vet
Grams Bureau, Pension Bureau and the
Bureau OF National Homes, 10 throw
actual administration under the single
control OF the administrator Of veterans
affairs, Gen. Hines. To veterans Of all
wars be Is now Uncle Sam.
This eVen-tempered, high-geared
emctent gentleman spends more money
than any cabinet ofhcer except the
Secretary OF the Treasury, but he does
not sit with the cabinet He reports. how
ever. direct 10 the President So IL is
taken for granted that he speaks with
the sanction of President Hoover when
ne says the next Congress should take
up the question Of a national policy for
veterans Of all wars
The Veterans Administration. which
now Is caring for more than a million
veterans or dependents Of veterans. with
disbursement OF approximately a billion
dollars annually, is studying the whole
question carefully to present It to Con-
gress.
: What are some Of the alleged IN
equai1ties which need ironing out?
tcopyrieht, fa5l, By the North American
Newspaper Alliance. Inc
Tomorrow: Inequalities in Veteran
Relief.')