Evening star., 1933-06-04
OFFICE BILL VETO
IS HELD UNLIKELY
Senator Cutting Expresses
View After Visit to
White House.

Senator Cutting, Republican, Of New
Mexico, told newspaper men yesterday
after q visit to the White House that
he did not expect President Roosevelt
to veto the independent Offices bill be-
cause of the increase in appropriations
to combat wounded veterans of the
World and Spanish American Wars.
At the same time, the bill, with the
Connally amendment tackled on call
ing for an increase in appropriations
for veterans compensation Of $l7o,o00,-
{ 900, was being prepared for resubmission
in the House for the appointment Of
conferees.
Cutting, who was one Of the leaders
in the fight against the cuts OF PEN
sions of the combat wounded, said the
purpose of his visit to the White House
was to submit report on the Senate's
action.
President Sympathetic.
He declared the President received
his report very sympathically."
The New Mexico Progressive estimat-
ed that Fridays Senate vote limiting to
rs per cent the reductions in allowance
which may be made for service con-
,, nected disabilities would reduce the
expected economies by about $3.50, ,0OO.-
600. Senator Byrnes, Democrat, South
Carolina, in charge Of the appropria-
ton bill, had previously estimated the
reduction would amount to $170, 0,000,0 600.
On Capitol Hill yesterday, the ad-
ministration's course was matter OF
conjecture, Speaker Rainey and Demo-
cratic Leader Byrns having hazarded
that the House was Gin as much revolt
as the Senate" against veterans
economies.
While the administration may seek
some modification of the Senates action
and Rainey intimated word from Pres
ident Roosevelt was being looked for
there was no intimation from either OF
the House leaders that the President
would seek complete elimination OF the
Senate action or veto the bill 1t
stands as it is now.
Aides Express Concern.
Nevertheless, the Presidents aides,
who are responsible for the balancing
of the budget and making ends meet,
have indicated some concern over the
upset in the economy program.
BY the Senate's action the proposed
savings Of $3.50, 100000 during the COM
ing fiscal year on veterans pensions,
was reduced to $191, 100000. Inasmuch
as President Roosevelt has announced
he expected to save 81 000, 900 in
Government expenses during the coming
year, the administration must look else
where with its pruning knife to regain
the amount the Senate appropriated for
the combat disabled.
This was believed one Of the reasons
why Mr.. Roosevelt invited Senator
Robinson of Arkansas, Democratic
leader, and Budget Director Lewis to
cruise with him today down the Poto-
mac River.
Shortly after these invitations were
issued, the White House took cognizance
of reports in circulation here that the
President would make direct appeal
to the people to staye off any change
in proposed savings under the economy
act. The Presidents aides denied en-
phatically that such was the intention
of the Chief Executive.
Amendment Acceptable.
Members of the House who have been
leaders in the fight to restore the cuts
ordered for the combat wounded, said
yesterday the Connally amendment
would be acceptable to them. They
pointed out that it was in direct line
with their caucus committees recon-
Monday.
While the revolt in the Senate over
veteran economies only came to the
surface four days ago, the House is
known to have been in revolt for some
time. At a caucus held shortly after
the passage of the National Economy
act, giving the President sweeping pow
ers to cut veteran pensions, Democratic
leaders experienced difficulty keeping
members in line.
The revolt flared anew 10 days ago
when reports showing the Veterans
Administration was reducing combat
wounded pensions by approximately so
per cent we're revealed. Another caucus
was held, resulting in the appointment
of a committee of seven Democratic
members to call at the White House
and request a revision in the economy
regulations.
While President Roosevelt was re-
ported at that time to be sympathetic,
he, according to committee members,
gave the group no encouragement. The
Chief Executive later announced he
would appoint a committee to make a
study into the cases.
Hits Committee Plan.
Senator Cutting, during the debate
Friday on the Connally amendment,
called attention to this announcement,
as follows:
when we come here and say that
committee is to go around the country
investigating individual cases, are we
not getting back to the Hoover policy
which members on the other side of
aisle so repeatedly ridiculed?
Whenever anything had to be done
the former President appointed a COM
mission to go out and investigate, and
when the commission reported its con-
clusions, the report in several volumes
would be placed in pigeon hole some
where in the files Of the executive Of
fees.
This is not what the American peo-
pie are asking for today"