Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-06
ROOSEVELT FACES
OFFICE FUND BILL
Hoover Pocket Veto Leaves
Veterans Payments Up
to New President.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BY one of the last acts of Herbert
Hoover as President, the necessity of
starting again, and soon, all the strife
that accompanies legislation about Fed
eral expenditures on veterans was
placed before the new President today.
The problem Is involved In the pocket
veto which the last Executive gave to
the independent Office appropriation bill
because it was bigger than budget esti-
mates.
In that bill was $s45, sss, 900 which
would be used to run the Veterans Ad-
ministration and to pay disability al
lowances and compensation to former
soldiers for the fiscal year beginning
July /.
Unless new independent Offices ap-
preparation bill is enacted by the special
session before July /, there will be no
money for veterans or a dozen other
agencies, such as the Shipping Board
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
the Trade Commission, the White House
and the Farm Board.
Plan Early Action. -
Since that condition cannot be al
lowed to arise, leaders in House and
Senate are preparing to put through
soon a new bill. But before it Is drafted
they will want some specific information
from President Roosevelt and the new
budget director, Lewis w. Douglas.
Some reductions in veterans expendi-
lures are expected by congressional
Democrats because of their platform
pledge and their Presidents promise for
a Is per cent cut in Federal costs. OF
the FIVE billion-dollar annual budget,
they remind one billion Is expended on
veterans.
The new President can, under the re-
organization power he already has. take
$3.50 900 900 or more OF the budget.
But that will not be enough. Conse-
quently, some leaders expect Congress
will De asked to approve the proposal
suggested by Vice President Garner In
the last session-that Of giving to the
President the power to cut direct bene-
flts to veterans.
Some hold that at the least the con-
tinuing yearly increase in veterans
costs should be halted. The independ-
ent Offices bills s945 ,988 900, for ex-
ample, was $1,000 900 above what is
being expended this year.
Will Await President.
Numerous groups and individuals, in
GLIDING the National Economy League
and the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
United States, meanwhile are continuing
their demand for a $500 900 900 slash.
Their arguments were taken by the
joint congressional Committee on Vet
Grams, which must report to Congress so
days after the new session begins.
The independent Offices bill may be
delayed until after that report. But If
Congress does stay in session six weeks
after it meets, 1t is likely that q House
vote at least will be forced on cash
payment of the bonus
Representative Patman. Democrat. Of
,, Texas, says he will introduce his 81
zoo. 900 900 bonus bill on opening day
and make every effort to obtain its pas
sage. Most leaders concede that it can
be forced through the House. They
point to the recent meeting Of new
Democratic members. many Of whom
are pledged to support the bonus.
Whether the bonus passes or not vet
Grams leaders already are organized to
oppose any attempt to make stringent
cuts in veterans benefits. But the
password. Economy" may overcome
their objections.
So far President Roosevelt has said
nothing specific about veterans. Con-
gress will leave the next move up to
him.