Evening star., 1934-03-25
Upper Branch Expected to
Concur in Sands Res
t0ration Tomorrow.
PRESUMPTIVE CASES
BLOCKING PASSAGE
Final Action May Be Taken Even
If Conferees Fail to Agree
on War Benefits.

Although the Senate is expected to
agree tomorrow to the House program
Of Government pay restoration in the
independent Offices bill, final passage
of the bill is facing new delay due to
inability of opposing groups in the
Senate to settle differences over war
veterans allowances
Both sides expressed the belief last
night that when Senator McCarran,
Democrat, of Nevada. makes the mo-
ton to concur In the House pay Sec
ton. calling for restoration of per
cent of the cut of February l and
another per cent on July l, 1t would
be adopted.
This action will place the two
branches of Congress in accord on the
pay question. 1t appeared probable,
however, that the remainder Of the bill
relating to war veterans will be sent
back for further conference with the
House.
Presumptive Gases in Dispute.
The main point at issue last night
between administration supporters and
amendments was whether World War
presumptive disability cases should be
put definitely back on the rolls. as pro-
vided for in both the House and Sen
ate bills. or be restored subject to fur
ther review of each individual case
The plan OF making presumptive
cases subject to further review was
provided for in the original veterans
amendment OF Senator Byrnes. DEM
ocrat, of South Carolina. and is being
advocated by administration forces in
the Senate.
In passing the bill last month,
however, the Senate adopted the more
liberal Steiwer amendments, both on
Spanish War veterans and World
War presumptive cases. The House
subsequently rewrote the veterans
section, cutting down the percentage
Of payment to rs per cent both for
Spanish War veterans and presump-
tive World War cases, but retaining
language which insures reinstate-
ment of the presumptive cases to
the rolls.
Steiwer Firm.
Although there were signs yester-
day that Senate supporters Of the
Steiwer amendments might concur in
the House modified veterans provi-
Sons. Senator Steiwer indicated last
night he is not prepared to accept a
further modification that would make
preSumptive reinstatementS subject
to review.
1t is believed, therefore. that the
veterans issues will have to be sent
back to conference. Action was pre-
vented yesterday because Senators
representing the opposing viewpoints
we're trying, informally, to work out
an adjustment of the veterans pro-
visions to avoid another conference.
These efforts failed, however. ard 1t
was decided to put the entire subject
over until Monday.
May Meet Tuesday.
Majority Leader Robinson forecast
Senate action tomorrow on the House
salary restoration program. followed
by conference on the veterans sec
tions. If this course Is followed, the
House will have to agree to the new
conference. so that the conferees
probably could not meet until Tues
day.
If the new conference results In
another disagreement, 1t would still
be possible for the Senate to vote to
concur in the House veterans pro-
visions and send the bill to the White
House.
Administration supporters at the
Capitol, however, intimate their be-
lief that even the House veterans
amendments in their present form
would cause the bill to meet q veto
at the White House.
While the situation may clear ur
over the week end, it did not appear
likely last night that the Independent
Offices bill would be acted on finally
and sent to the White House until
near the end of this week.