The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-21

u, " senator
pendentS insurance benefits
granted under prior laws which
had been denied by Court rul-
ing holding that because Of their
employability, even although such
employment was very restricted,
and remuneration therefore small
they were no longer totally and
permanently disabled for insur-
ance benefits,
Compensation
The rates Of death compensa-
ton were increased for widows
between the ages OF so and 65
years, from $S5 to $3.50 per
month, and for widows age 66
years or over from $40 to $45, per
month, Increased allowances
were also granted for orphaned
children, and for dependent par
entS.
The 18TH Congress also increas-
ed pensions for Spanish War
veterans, and appropriated money
for further improvement Of vet.
Grams hospital facilities, through
out the country. Many other
benefits have been provided dur
ing this administration, which
time will not permit me to list
here.
l agree that many changes are
yet to be made. I am pledged to
assist IN making those changes,
after proper studies and expert
ence have shown US the way TO
obtain equitable results for ell
classes Of veterans.
As q member OF the NSenate
Pensions Committee, and also OF
the Senate Finance Committee,
both OF which consider veterans
legislation, I have been In q posi-
ton to recognize. the needs Of vet
Grams, and help formulate policies
for their relief. There Is q possi-
bility now that In the next Con-
gress a plan viii be adopted by
which all legislation relating to
veterans will be handled by one
Committee, probably the Pensions
Committee, of which am q
member. This will provide further
opportunity for me TO study vet
Grams needs.R Ne
Grateful
During my entire eight years In
the House OF Representatives, and
my five years In the United States
Senate, have been gratified TO
receive the endorsement and sup
port OF all the veterans organiza-
lions. My veterans record, like my
labor record. has been practically
one hundred percent. I do not say
this with any boastfulness, and
neither do l say II with a prom
isc that I will support all mea-
sures which are introduced for
veterans relief. We must keep the
pension laws well-balanced, but
we must seek TO improve the OPP
portunities for veterans employ
ment. Disability compensation for
veterans and dependents, and our
far-flung disqualification facilities,
are very necessary. But we must
not forget the thousands of other
veterans who are not suffering
from any illness or disability that
would entttle them TO present
benefits. We must do something
to get them adequate employ
ment, and then. some time IN
hte not too far distant future, we
must try either to place them on
a graduated monthly pension
plan, like Spanish War Veterans
and Civil War veterans, or ex-
tend to them benefits equal to
these, in the form Of Social Secur-
ity benefits.
AS everyone knows, veterans OF
our Civil War and Spanish War,
have received flat monthly PEN
sions, based on age, as well as
disability. Usually this method Of
paying pensions to veterans is not
applied until they are muchc older
than the present world war vet
Grams. This Is because the burden
would be too great for any gov
eminent to pay any substantial
monthly pension, and also because
most veterans are young enough
and able enough to work, and
may not need q flat monthly PEN