Evening star., 1933-03-11


bill and called it up for consideration.
At meeting OF Republican leaders
Of the House in the Office of Representa-
tive Smell, the minority leader, it was
decided to throw as many Republican
votes as possible in support Of the
Presidents economy bill Others at the
meeting were Representatives Bachrach
CT New Jersey. Clifford Of Massachusetts,,
Mspes o. Michigan, Luce of Massachu-
SettS, Taber of New York, Marx Of
Massachusetts, McGugin of Kansas,
DoTen CT Iowa. Knutson of Minnesota
and Britten Of Illinois
At the Democratic caucus, the leader
ship OF Speaker Rainey and Representa-
tive ByrneS collapsed utterly after bit
ter row lasting over two hours.
Three Lead Opposition.
Representatives Browning. a former
captain in the A E. F. Patman of Texas
and Rankin Of Mississippi, aided by
many new members, were chiefly re-
SpOnSible for overthroWing the leader
ships plan to bind the membership.
1t was the first time in many years
the Democrats refused to be bound by
caucus.
Text of Resolution.
The resolution by Browning as adopt
ed by the caucus read:
Notwithstanding any CT the powers
contained in this act under the au-
thority herein granted, in no event
shall the compensation, disability allow
ances CT pensions of any beneficiary be
discontinued or reduced more than 25
per cent authorized thereof
Representative Taber of New York,
leading Republican on the Economy
COMMITTEE said: This means that
President Roosevelt cannot carry out
his program and that all claims against
the Government that are proved to
have been secured by fraud will remain
effective unless the House and Senate
knock the proposal out.
While House Democrats caucuSed, the
Senate Finance Committee opened pub
lie hearings on the propocal William
Green, president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, and officials OF Fed,
eral employees associations entered
vigorous opposition to the proposed re-
duction in wages and salaries
John Thomas Taylor, chairman OF
the Legislative Committee of the Amer
lean Legion, appeared in opposition to
the bills provision giving the PRESIDENT
wide powers to slash veterans dement's
The Federal Government he SAID
"cannot carry on its rightful oblga-
tions to the disabled veterans and re-
duce their benefits by S400,O00.OOC.
Veterans benefits can be reduced bv
q much less amount with justice to both
the veteran and the citizens OF the
United States who pay the bills. Before
long the Legion will itself make recon-
mpndations toward this end based upon
months of careful study.
The amount which veterans bene-
fits can be justifably cut can be de-
termined only after thorough study by
those familiar with veterans problems.
No emergency requiring instant
action confrcntS the Congress in the
caee of veterans costs. such as has been
met by you in connection with the bank
crisis. You acted promptly in this lat
ter connection. end properly SO. But
3cu would do wrong to rush through
rlc-sure OF such devastating erect
unCn disabled veterans without giving
it proper consideration.
The founders Of this Nation vested
the responsibility in the Congress Tor
the enactment Of laws. This bill would
place this power in the Chief EXecu-
live SO far as veterans legislation is
concerned.
Members CT the Congress may thus
transfer their constitutional authority,
but they cannot transfer their respon-
sibiIitv c. the results CT such action.
THE American Legion has pledged
its support to President Roosevelt IN
restoring better times-and will patrl-
otically assist in every way.
The Congress should recognize. how
ever. that the bank crisis is not related
to veterans Federal costs. On the con-
trary, thousands of small banks in the
West and the South have been and are
now materially aided by dis abled vet
Grams Government checks. These
checks average $685. a month for l.
025,O00 veterans of all wars and are a
source of money to thousands OF small
communities in distress. To withdraw
them now would leave both community
and veteran dependent upon State
aid"
Under the new economy program the
Federal pay cut would be limited to
IS per cent and applied both to military
and civil services and members OF Con-
gress 1t would operate only for one
year. with Senators and Representatives
cut from $4,000 to $500.
z Pensions and allowances to veterans
end dependents of veterans Of all wars