The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-10-02
OUTLINES STAND ON
VETERANS ECONOMY
IN CHICAGO SPEECH
Points Former Comrades to
Fight for Recovery and a
United America
BANS SPECIAL Benefits
Says Service in War Not Enough
to Warrant Favors From
Government
BANS SPECIAL Benefits

Chicago, Oct. 2.-(AP)-President
Roosevelt frankly outlined the eco
nomy regulations for veterans before
the American Legion Monday and
then pointed his comrades" to the
recovery battle and united nation.
He told the veterans that the gov
crnment maintained q responsibility
for those disabled by war service and
hoped to increase these benefits.
But, he declared, special benefits"
would not be given to a man "oveY
and above all other citizens because
ne wore a uniform"
Roosevelt added third principle *
the veterans program assurance that
the federal government would give the
same relief it gives to others In caring
for those veterans who are disabled
from causes unconnected with war
service but unable to care for them
selves.
The president, who was second In
command Of the navy in the World
War and who since suffered disability
from infantile paralysis, went before
the convention against the advice of
friends to talk over the relation of
the veterans to government.
Had to Get Going
1.-The car was stalled" he said in
speaking Of the spring Of this year.
Obviously. the first objective was to
get the engine running again. It is
true that we succeeded in reopening
q large number Of the banks. but this
would not have been possible II. at
the same time, we had not been able
to restore the credit of the govern
ment.
In speaking Of national credit VI
isre again dealing with d real thing.
not a theory in books. Industry can
not be restored, people cannot be put
back to work, banks cannot be kept
open, human suffering cannot be
cared for, If the government itself Is
bankrupt.
I'VE realize now that the great hui
man values, not for you alone but Tor
all American citizens, rest upon the
unlmpalred credit OF the United
States.
1t was because of this that We un-
dertook to take the national treasury
out OF the red and put it mo the.
black. And in the doing of it we
laid down two principles which d.
rectly affected benefits to veterans
to you and veterans of other wars.
The first principle. following in
evitably from the obligation Of citi-
zens to bear arms, is that the govern
ment has q responsibility for and to-
wards those who suffered injury or
contracted disease while serving in its
defense.
No Special Beneficiaries
The second principle is that no
person, because he wore a uniform
must thereafter be placed in special
class OF beneficiaries over and above
all other citizens. The fact of wearing
a uniform does not mean that he can
demand and receive from his govern
ment q benefit which no other citi-
zen receives. It does not mean that
because person served in the
defense OF his country, performed a
basic obligation OF citizenship, he
should receive pension from his gov
eminent because of q disability incur
red after his service has terminated
and not connected with that service. :"
Seemingly to sense fully the drama
Of the occasion, the huge assemblage
hung tensely on the executives words,
swelling into applause that rocked the
structure.
Speaking In stronger voice than at
any time. the president pointed his
finger at the veterans as he declared
II the individual affected can afford
to pay for his own treatment he can
not call on any form OF government
aid.
II he has not the wherewithal to
take care Of himself. it Is first Of al
the duty Of his community to take
care OF him and next the duty Of his
state. Only II under these circum-
stances his own community and his
own state are unable, after reasonable
effort, to care for him, then, and then
only. should the federal government
offer him disqualification and care
and the government stands ready to
do that"
Stadium Echoes Appliance
Again the stadium echoed with
cheers and applause.
As his last act on the platform. the
president presented q silk flag from,
the women Of Clarksburg, w. Va. tc
Commander johnson. The crowd
cheered Is he said he was acting as
temporary chairman Of the gather
ing.
As the president left the platform
the band swung into Happy Days
Are Here Again." the tune that echo
ed through the stadium during thu
bitter fight for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination.
He left the hall to the strains Of
the music.
The president went before the open-
ing session of the convention ilnmed-
lately upon his arrival here jast ~
Continued on Page Two)
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