Evening star., 1934-02-28

go to conference on other amend
ments. party leaders said they found
some little change in sentiment.
They find some few of the House
Democrats who are reluctant to "be
put on the spot" for the many impor-
tant amendments approved by the
Senate, and for this reason would like
to have these differences between the
two houses thrashed out In confer
ence. Previously these same members
had been strong for an immediate
vote on concurrence.
These are the conflicting sentiments
and party expediencies which are to
be discussed in the free-for-all con-
ference of the House Democrats, pre-
sided over by Representative Lea of
California.
Some Desire Advice.
Also entering into the problem is
any suggestion" that may be made
by the White House. There are q
number Of House members who are
asking their leaders what the lad
ministration Wishes" and some few
are advocating that the Presidents
advice be sought. The big majority
Of the House Democrats are hoping,
however, that they will not be bound
by messages from the White House
and that they will be left free to
vote as they desire-for full restora-
ton Of basic salaries to all Govern
ment employees.
Veto Predicted.
As the bill passed the Senate late
yesterday Democratic leaders there
were predicting the measure faces the
strong probability of a veto If it
; reaches the White House with Its
present terms. Majority Leader Rob-
inson was among those who declared
| the bill is likely to be vetoed because
| it goes beyond the compromise sug
gested by administration leaders in
modifying provisions Of the economy
law.
The salient features Of the bill as
| it left the Senate are:
A plan to restore 5 per cent Of
the Government pay cuts as of Feb
| ruary / and all of the remaining 10
per cent on July l. The final out
come of the salary section was COM
! plicated somewhat. however, by the
| last-minute adoption of the Borah
amendment which prevents restora-
| ton of the pay cut for any Govern
ment positions where the salary Is
in excess Of $4,000.
Amendments restoring 80 per cent
of the allowances of Spanish War
veterans and payments to widows of
Spanish War veterans.
Amendments to put back on the
rolls nearly all of the $4,000 World
War veterans with presumptive dis
abilities, and placing the burden Of
proof on the Government in the
further consideration of these cases
by the Veterans Administration
Board of Appeals.
An amendment modifying the re-
strictions on emergency officers OF the
World War. Several other less i'm
portant changes we're made in the
veterans economy provisions Of last
years law.
Republicans Join.
These various amendments were
sponsored by Senators Steiwar. Re-
publican, of Oregon, and McCarran,
Democrat. Of Nevada, and were sup
ported by nearly all of the Repub-
licans and a sufficient number of
Democrats to place these provisions
in the bill over the objections OF the
administration group.
In the closing hours of debate yes
terday Senator Byrnes. Democrat OF
South Carolina, in charge OF the
measure for the administration forces,
gave the following estimates OF cost
of the principal Senate amendments:
For restoring Spanish War veterans
to the rolls on a 80 per cent basis,
s61 .487 900; the emergency officers
amendment, S2,942, 900; the provision
affecting widows of Spanish War vet
Grams, S8,077,0 the Steiwer amend
ment for presumptive cases df 1t re-
suits in all these cases being put PACK
and retained on the rolls), S44 ,933 ,oOo.
Senator Byrnes also pointed out
that the Senate has appropriated the
s21 900 900 needed to meet the cost
of the notifications in veterans regu-
lations made by President Roosevelt
by executive order several weeks ago
ss54,432,124 Total Added.
Senator Byrnes then added to these
figures S2l5,993,l24 as the cost OF
restoring per cent of the Govern
ment pay for five months OF this
fiscal year and full restoration for
year beginning July !. This gave
total of s354,432, 1874 which the South
Carolina Senator said was added to
the bill by these principal Senate
amendments.
OF course, this does not mean that
the Senate has gone that far beyond
the desires of the administration, be-
cause in the course Of the bills con-
sideration, administration supporters
offered compromise amendment which
would have restored a considerable
portion of these various sums.
On Government pay, for example.
the administration plan called for
per cent from February to June and
another per cent after July l, which
would have cost $152,000,000.
On Spanish war veteran allowances,
the Byrnes plan allowed restoration OF
rs per cent, estimated to cost $50,-
100000.
! And on presumptive World War
cases, Senator Byrnes also had Of
fered an amendment which would
have restored these veterans to the
rolls at IS per cent Of their former
compensation pending a further re-
view by the Board Of Appeals.
Eliminating the $21 ZOO, 900 needed
to cover benefits already granted by
the President, and allowing for the
Hl IN