Evening star., 1934-03-28

of service origin was extended to
Spanish American War veterans on
the rolls on March 10, 1888. In order
to take the same action which I am
taking in regard to World War vet-
Grams, I am directing the restorat ton
to the rolls, as of this date, at rs per
cent of the amount they were receiv-
ing on March 10, 1888. all Spanish
final determination of their cases be-
fore the Board of Appeals"
Hits Retroactive Pay.
With regard to Federal pay restora-
ton, the President stated that the
bill increased his budget estimates by
S125, 100000. The budget had recon-
mended no change in pay for the rest
of this fiscal year, and return OF
only per cent of the cut on July l.,
estimated to cost about $4,000, 900.
The additional amount objected to in
the message was to cover the per
cent from February to June 80, and
the restoration of another per cent
on July |. 1t also included the cost
of automatic promotions and certain
other changes in the economic law
which Congress made in the bill.
The President took particular eX-
ception to the retroactive feature Of
the pay amendment. He said he had
but argued that millions of American
citizens are today still without en-
ployment, and reduction in the COM
pensation of Federal employees has
been and still is on the average less
than the reduction in compensation
that has been patiently endured by
those citizens not in the employ of
the United States Government"
Costs Rising Slowly"
Mr.. Roosevelt stated that the cost
of living seems to be rising slowly.
He suggested he would be glad to
confer with Congress on improving
the method of restoring Federal pay.
Congress faced the issue swiftly
after receiving the Presidents veto
message Yesterday afternoon. Demo-
cratic leaders in the House tried vainly
to hold the members of their party in
line to sustain the veto, but even as
the appeals were being made to them,
there were cries of "Vote!" from both
sides of the chamber.
And when the roll was called 1t was
found that 209 Democrats had Jumped
the traces to join 81 Republicans and
Farmer-Laborites in overriding the
veto. The final count was 3l0 to p.
Only 10 Democrats and Republicans
Luce and Tinkham of MaSsachu-
setts-had voted to sustain the veto.
Even before the vote was completed,
word of the probable outcome reached
Senators. Taken by surprise at the
unexpected development in the House,
Senate leaders promptly took steps to
ward off the issue there until today.
Minority Leader McNary agreed with
Majority Leader Robinson that it
would be fairer to wait until today to
give all members of the Senate an
opportunity to be present.
Quick Consideration Blocked.
An effort was made, however, by
Senator Clark, Democrat of Missouri
to bring the issue to a head immedi-
ately. Senator Robinson of Arkansas
successfully blocked the effort by NOV
ing to adjourn, motion which was
Senate voted 48 to "a to adjourn.
Those familiar with the sittation
agreed, however. that this vote was
not a test of the lineup of the Sem
ate on the issue of the veto, since
some of those who voted to adjourn
last night are known to be in favor
of overriding the veto 1t was be-
meant that a majority Of the Senate
felt it would be better to let the ques-
ior. so over until today. when 1t can
be debated before vote Is taken.
When clerks began to call the roll
in the House there we're more than
dozen "ayes" to override the veto
before any one voted to sustain. And
as the call continued. the majority
mounted rapidly.
The President was at the Naval
Hospital visiting his son John. who is
recovering from an operation, when
word reached him OF the House vote.
He issued no comment. and. later in
the afternoon, he boarded the train
for Florida to begin his brief fishing
trip. ..-.-.
This is the worst trimming any
President ever received at the hands
of the House." Representative Smell
of New York, Republican leader, said
Legion View Presented.
Before the House voted, Browning
of Tennessee read a letter from E. A.
Hayes. national commander of the
American Legion. carrying his expla-
nation of the two points at issue af-
fecting World War disabled.
The first point was the restoration
of the payments to men with dis
abilities admittedly service-connected, |,
which, the letter states, had been esti-
mated by the Veterans Administra-
tion to cost S31 ,308, 900, although the
Legion believes it will not cost as
much Hayes said the reductions
through the economy act, now sought
to be restored might be divided into
four classes, and. would work out as
follows:
tuberculosis cases, $5991 month
to S4195, a cut of $17.96; neuropsy-
chiatric cases, S5628 month to
1886 month, cut of $l7.42; gen.
eral medical and surgical cases. s34.3l
a month to S2754. cut of $6.77, and
amputation cases, comprised of near
ly all battle cases, S68.24 month to
S5862, a cut of 1882.
Referring. to these cases, he said:
The Legion does not now believe,
nor have we ever believed that it
was the desire of the American peo-
pie or the American Congress to so
sharply reduce the Governments pay
ments to the admittedly World War
disabled"
The second point covered restora-
ton to eligibility of the $4,000 So
called presumptive cases. 80 per cent
of whom, he said, were war veterans
suffering from tuberculosis or neuro-
psychiatric disease. Under the ad-
ministrations plan. he said, the ap-
peals boards would pass on the restor-
alton of these cases to the rolls.
Under the Legion plan the burden
of proof would be placed on the Gov