The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-12
FAIR POLICY
PROMISED ON
VETERAN PAY
Roosevelt Pledge Prevents
Open Revolt on Cut in
Allowances.
RESURVEY IS STARTED
Revision of Schedules viii
Be Studied by Head
of Bureau.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times staff Writer

WASHINGTON, May 12.-PreSi-
dent Roosevelt'S promise of more
generous treatment of veterans suf-
terlng war injuries than the pres
ent economy provides was admitted
today by Democratic congressional
leaders to be the only barrier to
revolt on Capitol Hill against this
phase Of the savings program.
AS a result of Mr.. RooSevelt's
pledge to hberahze the application
of the economy act, the veterans
bureau has started a resurVey of the
orders for closing of hospitals, shut
ting down f1fty-five regional offices
and cuts in allowances for disabled
veterans who received their wounds
in war time.
When this has been completed,
probably in a month, recommended
tions for revision of schedules and
appropriation of additional funds
may be presented to the White
House by Ma jor-Genera1 Frank
Hines, head of the veterans admin
istration.
Legion Heads Optimistic
American Legion officials who
presented a picture of veterans
hardships to the White House
Wednesday night expressed conf
dence that the President would rec
tify mistakes made in the first eff
fort to apply the new ratings of
disability and schedules of payment.
Confidence in the Presidents
pledge prevented house Democrats
from upSetting the economy pro-
gram Thursday. Efforts to reduce
the savings on pensions and allow
ances by S150,OO00OO were blocked
by the house leaders.
They also defeated a move by
the Republicans to recommit the
independent Offices measure, which
contains the cut of $780, 900 900 in
veterans appropriations.
But the house showed its atti-
tude when it reinstated $4,000 900
to keep open the regional offices.
Despite pleas of stand by the Presi-
dent" a Democratic amendment to
maintain the contact places for
veterans and the bureau was adopt
ed overwhelmingly
No Cuts for Deserving
Advocates Of larger appropriations
pointed out that everybody, includ-
ing administration spokesman, had
taken the view that no cuts would
be made in payments to veterans
with service connected diseases or
injuries.
Even the most jealous proponents
OF economy in the $1,000, 100000 vet
Grams appropriation conceded that
cuts should apply only to those
groups beSet able to stand them.
This always has been regarded as
President RooSevelts attitude.
To meet economy demands of
budget director Lewis Douglas, how
ever, the veterans bureau framed
regulations permitting administra-
tive economies of S34,OOO,0O0 and
about 100000, 900 in lower payments
to disabled ex-Soldiers.
The first figure was to have been
saved by closing offices and some
hospitals, and the second through
fiat reduction of disability allow
anceS, and rerating of men receiving
benefits. Many of these reductions
strike hard at veterans without en-
ployment and physically unable to
work.
Detailed Study Ordered
To determine the fairness of the
disability ratings, General Hines
has ordered a detailed study of their
effects on the first 5000 cases under
the new economy schedules.
One new regulation bearing down
hard places all veterans in the same
category of claimants. Previous
laws took into consideration their
prewar occupation. Whereas a
violinist or baseball player losing
four playing fingers used to get a
larger payment than a Waterman.
now everybody is tree ted the same.
Specific cuts for farmers. general
laborerS, and skilled industrial
workers-the three largest classes
show how severely men actually
wounded in battle will be affected
If the original regulations are not
modified.
Heavy Slashes Made
1t is estimated some cuts amount
to 50 per cent, and that the average
payment to such veterans will drop
from S4412 to 5000 a month.
Under the old law, the ex-soldier
got total disability if one amputated
limb became infected and he was
forced to bed. Now there is no in
crease.
1t also is claimed that many
tubercular and mental patients will
suffer great hardsnips, for the pro-
vision recognizing presumptive evil
dence up to 1925 has been repealed.
Gel ERRATI0N Is HEI0