Evening star., 1932-05-03
VETERAN ECONOMY
PLAN TO Be KILLED
Members CIamor to Strike
Out Provisions Affecting
Ex-Service Men.
Continued From First Page)

each from the Appropriations Commit
tee.
He charged that in placing the pro-
vision in the economy bill, the com
mittee had not received report on
how veterans would be affected and
what the approximate savings would be.
Representative Swing, Republican OF
California, absolved the committee from
having written such unjust provisions,
but said they were written out and
handed to the committee for inclusion
in the bill. They were drafted, he oe-
clared, for the purpose of deliberately
hiding what the sections were intended
to do-to make plain who would be
left in, but carefully concealing those
who would be thrown out Of the bene-
fits from Federal relief expenditures.
Representative Swing said that mem
bers of the committee themselves were
probably shocked at these provisions
and said the appointment OF a joint
commission to study veterans relle1 was
like calling for a diagnosis to determine
what should be done for a patient after
that patient had been killed.
Representative Connery, an overseas
veteran and outstanding leader in Con-
rress for legislation to benefit former
service men. vigorously attacked the
conduct of the veterans administration
in declaring that he would support the
Bulwinkle amendment for a Joint COM
mittee Of Congress to study veterans
relief
Il do not believe that veterans legis-
lstion is perfect" said Mr.. Connery,
"but now is not the time to cut down
relief through the disabled in a hurry"
Cites Inequalities.
IA tive nOIIC1oS
Democrat of Arizona, member OF the
Economy Committee. as saying that this
legislation might mean his own defeat.
MI. Connerv said he hoped the veterans
would see that Mr.. Douglas was re-
elected to continue his work IN their
behalf in Congress.
In emphasizing the inequalities IN re
lief. Representative Connery SAID II
three or four Senators and seven or
eight Congressmen go down to the VET
erans' Bureau in behalf Of an emer-
gency oficer, the proposal VIII go
through in a hurry but II some poor
devil with no one to plead 1or nun
makes the claim it will drag along Tor
week after week and they VIII say 10
him that he is not 10 per cent dis
abled.'
REPRESENTATIVE McDuffie chided Mr..
Connery. saving he was making very
severe Indictment" to which Mr.. Con-
merry replied, II intend to indict the
Veterans Bureau severely and wish
could do it more severely. Some vet
Grams will not go near the bureau be-
cause they believe it is all run by polltl-
cal influence"
Representative Schafer, Republican,
of Wisconsin, referred to Representative
Connery's remark that the economy Dill
was half baked" by saying that he dis
agreed because the bill is not even 2.75
per cent baked; or one-hah OF / per
cent. Representative Schafer censured
the Democratic side for leadership in
creating the Special Economy Commit
tee. because. he said. that very fact was
an admission that the regular commit
tees of the House were incapable OF
handling these questions which should
come directly within their jurisdiction.
But they must have blood" he de-
clared. "and so the disabled veterans
are to be thrown upon the altar OF So
called economy to save some 48 millions
OF dollars for the Treasury"
He explained specifically many in1us-
tices and inequalities which will result
through such half baked" legislative
proposals affecting the Sustenance OF
men who suffered bodily injury or dis
ease as a result of their service over
seas.
In an executive session Of the Econ
orny Committee, Chairman McDufhe
announced that House Leader Rainey
had issued orders that action on the
bill must be completed today. Repre-
sentative Ramseyer Republican OF
Iowa. said the Republican membership
would go along with the Democratic
leadership in an effort to carry out
this program.
Six Roll Calls Expected.
The House has several times rebelled
against an effort to hold them in ses-
sion all day and all night. The House
yesterday agreed to dispense with cal
endar Wednesday proceedings tomorrow
to make way for the economy bill. 1t
was then the plan to have the bill COM
pleted today except for the final record
vote, which would be taken tomorrow
How the House will act on the plan for
q night session tonight is problematical.
In the executive session today, it was
agreed that two or three hours will be
allowed for general debate on the vet
erans' items. and then the House will
proceed under the five-minute rule.
At least six record roll call votes are
expected and there will be two motions
to recommit the bill to committee for
revision. One Of these will be made by
Representative Ramseyer, who will pre-
sent President Hoover's staggered fur
Tough plan. Representative RamSeyer
said today that in presenting this pro-
vision will be made for $500 exemp-
ton. He realized that this amendment
would have a much better chance for
adoption if it carried a $4,000 eXemp-
ton, but he emphasized that would
mean fewer people could be retained
under a furlough system and that a
much larger number would have to be
discharged.
Will Ask Consolidation.
Chairman Byrns Of the Appropria-
tions Committee will lead a fight to
have restored to the bill the provision
for consolidation of the Army and NAVY
Departments. Representative Martin of
Oregon, a former major general and
assistant chief of staff, will oppose this.
The roll call vote will be on a motion
70 reject the amendment and to restore
the original language Of the bill
At an unusually long meeting with
President Hoover this morning mem
berS of his cabinet discussed the econ
Cny problem.
The Chief Executive still entertains
hope that more favorable consideration
will be given to his f1ve-day week and
payless furlough proposal for Federal
employees
Cabinet members declined to discuss
however, whether the administration
would follow any altered course in its
economy drive through decisions
reached at the meeting.
President Hoover likewise remained
silent. calling off his scheduled meet
ing with the press at noon on the
ground that there was mo news
Pension Bill Passed.
The disposition Of the House on vet
erans' matters was well attested yes
terday afternoon in its passage, 316 to
1e, of a pension bill for widows and
N.Y..