Evening star., 1935-05-22

tlemen from the House of Repre-
sentatives called upon me and
with complete propriety presented
their reasons for asking me to APP
prove the House of Represent
atives bill providing for the i'm
mediate payment of adjusted Serv-
ice certificates. In the same spirit
CT courtesy, I am returning this
bill today to the House of Repre-
SentativeS AS I told the gentle
men who waited upon me. I have
never doubted the good faith lying
behind the reasons which have
caused them and the majority Of
the Congress to advocate this bill.
In the same spirit I come before
you dispassionately and in good
faith to give you, as simply as I
can. the reasons which compel me
to give it my diSapproval.
And I arn glad that the Senate
by coming here in joint session
gives me opportunity to give my
reasons in person to the other
House of the Congress.
As to the right and the pro-
priety of the President in address,
ing the Congress in person. am
very certain that I have never in
the past disagreed, and will never
in the future disagree, with the
Senate or the House of Represent
ativeS as to the constitutionality
of the procedure. With your per-
mission. ! should like to continue
from time to time to act as my
own messenger.
Eighteen years ago the United
States engaged in the World War.
A nation of l20,000,000 people was
united in the purpose of victory.
The millions engaged in agricul-
ture toiled to provide the raw ma
terialS and foodstuffS for our
armies and for the nations with
whom We were associated. Many
other millions employed in indus
try labored to create the materials
for the active conduct of the war
on land and sea.
Out of this vast army consist
ing of the whole working popula-
ton of the Nation, 4,750,000 men
volunteered or were drafted into
the armed forces of the United
States. One-half of them remained
within our American continental
limits. The other half served over
seas, and of these 100000 saw
cprUipa ~, onfnol rOy,ohaf
Sacrifices Honored.
The people and the Government
of the United States have shown a
proper and generous regard for the
sacrifices and patriotism of all of
the 4,750.000 men who were in
uniform no matter where they
served.
At the outbreak of the war the
President and the Congress sought
and established an entirely new
policy, in order to guide the
granting of financial aid to SOL
diers and sailors. Remembering
the unfortunate results that came
from the lack of a veterans policy
after the Civil War. they deter
mined that a prudent and sound
principle of insurance should sup
plant the uncertainties and un-
fairness of direct bounties. At the
same time their policy encom-
passed the most complete care for
those who had suffered disabilities
in service. With respect to the
grants made within the lines of
this general policy, the President
and the Congress have fully recog-
nized that those who served in
uniform deserved certain benefits
to which other citizens of the Re-
public were not entitled and in
which they could not participate.
In line with these sound and fair
principles, many benefits have been
provided for veterans.
Compensation Provided.
During the war itself provision
was made for Government allow
ances for the families and other
dependents of enlisted men in
service. Disability and death COM
penSation was provided for CASUAL
ties in line of duty.
The original provisions for these
benefits have been subsequently
changed and liberalized many
times by the Congress. Later gen.
erouS presunptionS for veterans
who became i'll after the termina-
flnr1 nF no
the statute to help veterans in their
claims for disability. AS a result
of this liberal legislation for dis
ability and for death compensation,
1,l40,000 men and women have
been benefited.
During the war the Government
started a system of voluntary in
Surance at time rates for
men and women in the service.
Generous provision has been
made for disqualification. vocational
training and rehabilitation Of vet
Grams. You are familiar with this
excellent care given to the sick and
disabled.
Other Benefits.
In addition to these direct bene-
fits, Congress has given recogni-
ton to the interest and welfare Of
veterans in employment matters,
through veteran preference in the
United States Civil Service, in the
selection of employees under the
Public Works Administration,
through the establishment of a
veterans employment unit in the
Department of Labor and through
provisions favoring veterans in the
selection of those employed In the
Civilian Conservation Corps. Many
States have likewise given special
bonuses In cash and veterans pref
erences in State and local public
employment.
Furthermore, unemployed veter-
ans as group have benefited more
largely than any other group from
the expenditure of the great public
works appropriation of $3,300,o0
900 made by the Congress in
1888, and under which we are
still operating. In like manner
the new $4,000, 100000 work-relief
act seeks to give employment to
practically every veteran who Is
receiving relief.
We may measure the benefits
extended from the fact that there