Evening star., 1933-05-11
VETERANS LIKELY
TO GET INCREASES
Congress Protests and White
House ParIey May Cause
Reduction in Cuts.

Veterans who have had sharp reduc-
tions in their compensation for service
connected disability may have part Of
their compensation restored, as a re-
suit Of congressional protest against
the sharp reductions. and q White
House conference yesterday.
Action came from the White House
after six hours Of debate in the House
on the sharply reduced independent
Offices bill which carries approximately
$46O 600 900 less for the Veterans Ad-
ministration than was provided in the
measure that was vetoed in the last
Congress by President Hoover. Carry
ing out the recommendations of Budget
Director Douglas, the House Appro-
priations Committee reduced the out
lay for the veterans from around
$3.50. $780, 900 to about s5O6, ,s3s 900.
At the White House President Roose-
welt, Louis johnson, national COM
| mander Of the American Legion and
Director Douglas considered the prob
lem at length.
Early Issues Statement.
Following their conference Stephen
| Early, secretary to the President issued
statement which said the following
conclusions had been reached at the
conference:
"As a result of the application of
| the veterans regulations. it now seems
| that the cut in compensation of service
! connected World War veterans with
Snocif1P in i1iripc y han
was originally Intended. The regu-
lations and sche Jules in this respect
| will, therefore, be reviewed so as to
effect more equitabl levels of pay
| ment. Careful study also will be made
OF the other regulations and their
effects.
BY reason Of the burden incident to
| rerating and in order that undue hard
| ship will not be imposed upon veterans
In their application for adjudication of
their cases, regional Offices of the vet
Grams administration will not be closed
as has been reported. except where it
has been clearly demonstrated that
regional facilities are not necessary.
1T is not contemplated that Gov
eminent hospitals will be closed pend
ing careful, studious survey of the
entire hospital situation. This, Of
| necessity, will require considerable time
| These conclusions are in line with
the Presidents original statement that
| the regulations and schedules would be
drafted SO as to effect the most humane
possible treatment of veterans purely
disabled in war service"
Debate Arises In House.
Debate in the House arose ovey the
sweeping reductions on pensions. 49,
p.tals and compensation along with re-
ductions in military and naval insur-
ance and for administrative purposes
The bill was attacked by House mem
bers led by Representative Blantol
Democrat, Of Texas. who said if t
President doesn't correct" inequities
the application of the reductions "Ct
gress will"
Even Representative Woodrun, q
ocrat, OF Virginia, in charge of
measure, said:
Il shall not undertake to say
these regulations promulgated by
administration have not been
drastic. In many instances they
seem to US to be too drastic"
The reductions we're made possib
under the Roosevelt economy act ar
form the major part Of the admins
tration's drive to balance the budget.
Under the bill administration, med
ical, hospital and domiciliary allot-
ments were reduced by $34 600 900; pen
sions and compensation were reduced
by 1851 900, 900; naval and military in
Eurance, $11 100000; new hospital fa-
cihties, $4,000, 900; adjusted service GER
tiflcate fund. $50,00o,oo0