Evening star., 1933-12-21
LEGION PLANNING
DRIVE ON congress
Veterans Will Press Pro.
gram for Liberalizing of
Relief Benefits.

Roosevelt, the American Legion today
marshalled forces behind its con-
gressional drive for a liberalized revi-
| sion of the veterans section of the
economy act and a more aggressive
program Of national defense.
Legion officials declared the four
| point program for liberalizing relief
benefits to World War veterans would
add no more than $60,000,000 to the
budget. Edward A. Hayes, the Legion's
national commander, told the President
this amount would affect "a little more
! than one-fourth of the savings under
the economy act.
Hearings Next Month.
Their legislative program now before
the President, the Legionnaires ere pre-
| pairing to back it squarely ar hearings
which Chairman Rankin of the House
Veterans Committee has assure I'd them
he would conduct as soon as Congress
conveneS next month. There was no
| indication what President Roosevelt
| proposes to do. whether he intends to
accept the Legion proposals as whole
or seek compromise, for fear oil
| jeopardiZing the administrative budget.
The budget recommendations for the
| 1885 fiscal year, it was said, so far as
veterans appropriations are concerned,
are based on the provisions Of the econ
| omy act. Legion officials were emphatic
| today in expressing their belief that the
! addition of $60000,000 would scarcely
/ rock the boat"
Legislative Slate Presented.
In addition to the four-point pro-
gram for veterans relief, the American
Legion placed before the President yes
terday its complete legislative slate for
the impending session of Congress.
Comdr. Hayes was accompanied to the
White House by John Thomas Taylor,
vice chairman of the organizations
Legislative Committee.
This program for more adequate ma
tional defense proposes, In addition TO
full-strength Army and a treaty
Navy, the congressional control OF prices
in war time.
With respect to veterans relief, the
Legion program not only seeks to re-
store certain provisions of the old vet
eranS legislation, such as restoring to
the compensation rolls all presumptive
service connected cases, but It calls for
new legislation. such as pensions for
,, widows and orphans of World War
veterans.
Four Point Program.
This four-point program, which Is
destined to become the center Of de-
termined fight in the impending Con-
gress, declares as follows:
THAT no war veteran disabled in
line of duty suffer any reduction of
those benefits granted such veterans in
the World War Veterans act as in effect
prior to March 20, 1888.
2-That disqualification under Federal
Government auspices be afforded all
veterans not dishonorably discharged
who require hospital treatment and who
are not able to pay for their own treat
ment.
3-That perpetuation Of service con-
nection for all veterans properly granted
such service connection under laws in
existence prior to March 20, 1888, be
recommended as an item Of Legion
policy.
THAT the benefits provided for de-
pendents of veterans as established in
the World War veterans act be resumed
and maintained as the Governments
policy and that in no event shall widows
or dependent children of deceased
World War veterans be without govern
mental protection
Denial Issued
Legion officials denied the organiza-
tion wants Congress to declare as a
matter Of policy that the duty Of caring
for INDECENT veterans, regardless of Serv-
on the Federal Government and not on
States and local communities.
They explained also that no benefits
are sought for the approximately 1900
veterans who joined the Army after the
armiStice, which would effect a saving
Of about $6,000,000.
In discussing the four-point program
at the White House, Comdr Hayes said ::
1t would neither disturb payments
on account Of other wars nor savings
on non-Service- World War
disability. Its chief effect would be to
restore the compensation status exist
ing prior to March 80, 1888, for service
connected World War disability, with
retroactive payments eliminated.
Ample Appropriation Seen.
1.-THE liberalization of the need
| nected disqualification, the programs
second feature, would not require an
additional appropriation, as the current
| one for this purpose is sufficient to
accommodate this change.
The provisions for widows and
| orphans would simply grant them the
| same benefits and rates now accorded
to those of the Spanish American War
under the economy act and its regula-
tions.. I have no cost estimate on
this but do not believe it would be
large"
Additional Proposals.
The additional proposals of its legis-
lative program presented by the Legion
call for:
A regular Army of $4,000 officers and
165, 900 enlisted men, as against the
present strength of $4,000 officers and
| 11875O enlisted personnel.
A National Guard Of 100000 en-
listed men with proportionate officers.
The present enlisted strength Is ap-
proxirnately 100 900 men.
A Reserve Corps OF 12oooo o1ncers, a
Reserve Corps officers training corps
in each qualified school and college
desiring it, and C. M. T. c. OF not
fewer than $4,000 youths a year. This
| would place the service strength back
to about what 1t was before economy
slashes were made by Congress at the
last session
Adequate peace time supplies and
planning for procurement in time of
emergencies, and sufficient appropria-
ton for the national rifle matches,
the small arms firing school and as
sistance to civilian rifle clubs.
l. A Navy of London treaty strength
and men to man it, and increase Of
the enlisted personnel from $4,000 to
81 400. Further increases in officer
and enlisted personnel as additional
ships are built.
Increased appropriation for the De-
partment of Commerce aeronautical
section.
Congressional control of prices in war
I time.
POLICE DOG DIES IN LEAP
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