The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-28
Result of Bitter Battle
Hinges on Three or
Four Ballots.
CHAMBER is CROWDED
Debate Is Started as More
Than 100 Members of
House Look On.
BIZ United Prcsa

!
ment, the senate today de-
bated President Roosevelt's
veto of veterans pay restora-
ton legislation.
The veta was overridden yester-
day by the house. 80 to 70, and SIM
liar action by the senate would en-
act it into law despite the Presi-
dents objections.
Majority Leader Joseph T. Rob-
lnson announced he was ready for
consideration of the veto message.
1t was expected that about two
hours of debate would precede the
vote. There was no clear indica-
ton of the outcome. A two-thirds
majority was necessary to override.
Galleries Are Crowded
Galleries were crowded and more
than 100 members of the house
crowded the rear of the chamber as
the senate approached the test
which was to determine the admin
istration's hold over congress.
While Mr.. Roosevelt was defeated
in his plea for ratification of the
st. Lawrence waterway treaty, the
test on the veterans pay cut issue
was regarded as more important
because of the insurgency which has
developed within the Presidents
party.
AS the Presidents veto message
was read-the first order of business
senators paid little attention.
Some last minute efforts to solicit
votes still we're in progress.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth, dres-G,.
in green and occasionally adjusting
a longnette to glaze at the scene
below her, sat in the galleries re-
serves for guests of senators.
Cutting First Speaker
Senator Bronson Cutting CRep.,
N. M, was the first speaker in the
debate.
AS the debate proceeded the sit
uation narrowed down to the dispo-
sition of three or four still doubt
full votes. They could throw the
decision either way.
Senator Bennett Champ Clark
Dem. Mo-, of the group insisting
on higher veterans benefits, said
he thought the veto would be over
ridden, but that the result hinged
on decisions still to be made in a
few cases.
If the President is over-ridden in
the senate the bill automatically be-
comes law 1t carries $228,000, 900
more than budget estimates-$125,-
100000 for government workers in
partial restoration of pay reductions
and the remainder in increased vet
Grams compensation.
Needs Thirty-tw Votes
1t requires two-thirds ma ority
to override the veto. Robinson
had to be sure of thirty-two votes
to make cei ii that it could be
sustained.
While President Roosevelt called
attention in his veto message to the
fact that the congress had not pro-
vided tbe extra 1929, ZOO, 900 by taxa
ton, his opposition was based more
on principles than on the money
involved.
My disapproval of this bill is
not based solely on the considera-
ton Of dollars and cents" he stated.
There is a deeper consideration.
You and 1 are concerned with the
principles herein enunciated. I
trust that the congress will continue
to cooperate with me in our COM
mon effort to restore general pros
perity and relieve distress"
The President referred to the So
called "presumptive" cases which
would be restored permanently to
the pension rolls under the bill he
refused to approve
Presumptive' Cases Issue
Showing that he was willing to
grant certain increases, Mr.. Roose-
welt by executive order affected in
creases for both World war and
Spanish war veterans But any
'presumptive" cases restored to the
rolls were placed there only pend
ing review This is the point ne
has fought for throughout the Bit
ter veterans controversy.
i intend now by regulation forth
with to direct an appeal by the ad-
ministration of veterans affairs in
each and every one of these disal-
lowed $4,000 cases (the number re-
moved from the pension rolls after
judgment that disabilities were not
service connected) with the further
direction that in the final determine
alton Of these cases every reason
able doubt be resolved in favor Of
the veteran, and every assistance
be rendered in the preparation and
presentation of these cases.
While these cases are pending
the veterans vii be paid rs per cent
Of the compensation they received
prior to the time they were removed
from the rolls. If the appeal is al
lowed they will receive back COM
pensation. Only in cases disallowed
by the board of appeals will the vet
eran thereafter be permanently re-
n1oyed from the rolls >,