davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-05-28
742 Bills to Benefit Veterans
Would LiberoIize Pensions

The general pension law pro-
vides the same rates, with few ex-
ceptions, where the disability oc-
Cured in an armed service in time
of war or peace.
The last veteran of the Revolu-
tionary War to receive a pension
died in 1869 at the age of lO9. He
had been paid $500 a year under
special act of Congress. The last
survivor of the Mexican War of
l846-48 on the pension rolls was
Owen Thomas Edgar, of Washing
ton, who died here in 1929 at the
age of 98.
Since 1918, pensions in various
forms have been provided for vet
Grams who were not disabled in line
Of duty, but who by reason of age
or physical condition were in need
of assistance.
For more than 100 years Congress
has recognized an obligation 10
widows and children of veterans
who were eligible for pensions. The
last pensioned widow of a Revolu-
tionary soldier survived until 1906,
and the last daughter of a veteran
of that war OF whom there is record
died in 1911. At the close OF the
last fiscal year. IS widows and one
child of Mexican War veterans we're
receiving pensions.
Civil War Dependents.
Widows and dependent children
OF veterans who served in the
Civil War and other wars have re-
ceived compensation in various
forms through the years. with Con-
gress amending and reclassifying
the pension laws from time to time.
The act of Congress which be-
came law December IA, 1914, liber-
allied compensation for widows and
minor children of World War veter-
ans, making them eligible for such
benefits regardless of whether the
veterans died from disabilities in
service or from causes not con-
nected with their duty in the armed
forces. This act authorized pension,
under certain conditions, for a
widow or children ''of any deceased
person who served in the last war.
The rate for widow without
children was fixed at s35 month
A widow with one child could get
s45, with IS for each additional de-
pendent child. Total compensa ton
was limited to $74 monthly. The
pension is not payable to a widow
without children whose annual in
come exceeds $1,000 or to a widow
with children whose income is more
than $4,000.
This was an amendment to acts
Of 1888 and 1884, which awarded
Evening star., 1945-05-28
-Four Seek Montana Post
Left Vacant by 0'Connor

HELENA, Mont, May 2S.-Repre-
sentatives of both major political
parties, a Socialist and an Inde-
pendent will contest for a seat in
Congress at a special election in the
second (eastern) Montana district
June 5, the first in the Nation since
President Truman took Office.
Competing for the post vacated
by the death of Representative
O'Connor. Democrat. in Washing
ton last January. will be State Rep
resentative Leo c. Graybill, Demo-
crat, Great Falls attorney and busi-
nessman; State Senator Wesley
D'Ewart. Republican. rancher and
businessman: E. Spriggs of Wyola.
Socialist. and Robert Yellowtail, In
dependent. full-blooded Grow In
dian and former superintendent of
the Grow reservation.
The major party candidates were
considered the chief contenders.
Registration for the special election
has been light.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
McNutt Urges World Unity
As Memorial 10 War Dead
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BATON ROUGE, La. May %
World unity as memorial TO Amer
ica's soldier dead was urged here
yesterday by Paul V. McNutt, chair
man of the War Manpower Com
mission, at services honoring 400
Louisiana State University students
who died In the present war.
Despite all national differences, -
Mr.. McNutt said, despite all de-
bates and boundaries, peace terms
and reparations, we must achieve a
world organization capable Of taking
collective action to prevent future
wars-and future memorial days in
which the living will weep for the
future dead"
Evening star., 1945-05-28
NO. z OF q SeT1eS.
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES,

Among the 370o pending bills tt
benefit war veterans, approxima tel,
l42 would increase or liberalize pen.
sions.
These bills apply, variolsly. IL
this war and to all past wars ane
expeditions of which veterans OF
their dependents still survive Some
of them relate to service in the
Regular Army or Navy
Pensions have occupied Congress
since the very beginning of the
republic, even before the Revolu-
tionary War was won.
First Law in 1876.
The first national pension Jaw was
provided in resolution passed by
Congress August 26, l776. Thi,
law, afterward made retroactive tt
April 10. TITS, awarded pension,
for certain disabilities incurred jr
the armed forces ''in the amount
adequate for support, not 10 eXceee
one-halt pay"
Later, in an act of June S. 1855
n
would increase with the degree o,
disability. The minimum was 81 66l:
a month. The rate could not ex.
ceed half pay for officers or IS tol
privates
Acts Of 1912 and 1913 allowed
compensation ranging upward from
$40 to a rate not exceeding half s
lieutenant colonel's pay. Private!
still were restricted to a maximum
Of S. a month.
General Law Of 1862
Congress enacted in 1862 what be-
came known as the general pension
law. which. with amendments from
time to time. has survived to this
day.
This act fixed for total disa bility
rates of So for enlisted men and
higher amounts for officers, the max
imum $50 for lieutenant colonies OF
those Of higher rank Partial dis
ability was graded down to as low
as 81 month.
In 1895, the minimum pension
was fixed at Sc a month.
Present rates range from Sc tc
$l25 month. Those higher thar
$72 may be allowed only for certain
disabilities specified by law
The $72 rate Is for a disability OF
the first grade" This was defined
in 1856 as disability requiring
regular personal aid and attendance
Of another person" The Sl25 maxi.
mum was provided for in 1926 fol
the loss of both arms or both legs
or for inability to use them. or FOL
the loss of both eyes.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
|Stettinius Broadcast
Tonight Will Review
Conference Work
BY JOHN M.sHIGHTOWER,
Associated Press stan Writer

SAN FRANCISCO, May 28.-
President Truman and Secretary
of State Stettinius, apparently
sure of their main objectives a
the United Nations Conference
now are beginning to turn Amer.
ican foreign policy toward {
more decisive role in world at
fairs.
Mr.. Stettinius will make a major
speech to the American people ane
armed forces overseas from hi.
penthouse headquarters at 7:30 pm
Pacific war time Q0:30 pm. E. w
IT, tonight.
Pegged on review of the worl
of the security conference and ap.
proved by the President, it will b.
his most PREACHING discussion o.
foreign affairs to date.
1t is part of the same pattern o.
events which Cd will bring Mr.
Truman to San Francisco for tn.
final full-dress session t2) has al.
ready sent special White House en-.
voys to London and Moscow tt
tackle the current European crise.
and 90 may lead in a few weeks tt
a meeting of the President witt
Premier Stain and Prime Minister
Churchill.
Two Great Objectives.
The great objectives of these move.
are twofold
l. To recapture If possible a mid.
die position between British anc
Russian policies-the role, some.
times of leader, sometimes of moder.
ator, which the United States held
through the Yalta meeting in Feb.
ruary but lost shortly afterwarc
when Washington and Londor
Joined forces against Russia ovel
reorganization of the Polish govern
ment.
2. To reinforce United States
leadership for popular Democratic
ideals and so-called underdog causes
particularly the causes of freedom
for dependent peoples and justice
for minority groups.
Some American authorities here
consider that Russia, by exploiting
such issues as Argentina's coming n
the conference and the fight ovel
independence" versus "self-govern.
ment" in trusteeship areas, has cost
this country considerable prestige
abroad by making it appear as the
defender Of imperial, propertied in
terests.
Stettinius' Accomplishments
Persons close to Secretary Stet.
tinius generally credit him with two
main personal accomplishments in
the conference here: % Mainte-
nance of unity among the bis
powers on conference issues, and ~
maintenance of unity within the
American delegation despite its va
riety Of individual viewpoints, ideals
and ambitions.
But there Is growing feeling in
high places here that unity must not
be achieved at the cost of compro-
mise with principle. This feeling is
that the time has come to reassert
fundamental American principles
and to make clear the manner in
which the present administration
intends to apply them to countries
and conditions ranging from Argen-
tina to Poland and from national
freedom to international security.
What Mr.. Stettinius has to say on
this score tonight may later be
pointed up by his chief when Mr.
Truman comes before the conference
early in June.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
Pro-Nazi Danish Princess
To Return 10 GERMANY
=, the Associated Press.

COPENHAGEN, May 28.-Princess
Helena of Sonderburg- -Glucksburg,
wife of King Christians brother
Prince Harald, will leave Denmark
to live with relatives in Germany
the newspaper Nationaltidende re-
ported yesterday.
The announcement was interpreted
as foreshadowing an early dissolu-
tion of the royal marriage that has
lasted 36 years. The Germans pro-
hibited divorce during the occu-
patton because it would have re-
f1ected the anti-German feelings of
the Danish royal family and would
have encouraged the Danish resist
ence movement.
Throughout the occupation, Prin.
cess Helena's pro-German feelings
had vexed her husband and rela-
tives. Her own family would have
nothing to do with her and Prince
Harald never participated in any OF
the parties she arranged for Ger.
man officers
Both her sons. Olof and Garm
became Danish freedom fighters.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
-AP Wirephoto.

compensation to widows. children or
dependent parents of World War
veterans who died of injuries OF
diseases incurred in service or ag-
gravated as result of it. Under
these provisions, a widow can get
$50 month. widow with one child
SOS, with $l3 for each additional
child, and dependent father OF
mother s45.
H. r. 58l, introduced by Repre-
sentative Rogers. Republican, OF
Massachusetts,, and pending before
the House Veterans Committee
would increase compensation OF
childless widows in this category
whose husbands died of service dis
abilities-to a minimum of $50 q
month. Other pensions under this
classification would be increased
proportionately.
The Veterans Administration es-
Inmates that this measure would
cost s3,607,000 the first year. The
agency has not attempted to com.
pute what it would cost in future
years.
The administration also made 6
study OF bill by Representative
Voorhis, Democrat, of California te
increase the pension for service.
connected disabilities by 20 per CEN
OF the basic amounts for each fv,
years of age beginning with tn,
veterans 40th birthday. This, j
was estimated, would cost s48 ,24O 90,
the first year. This was the onl,
computation which the agency
statisticians made.
! They estimated a frst-year cos
Of S22,784,0O0 for another bill b,
. the same member which would pro
vide statutory award of $40 ,
month to every veteran who wa,
wounded, gassed, injured or dis.
abled by an instrumentality of wal
in zone of hostilities."
Many OF the pending pension
bills have not yet been analyzec
by the Veterans Administration.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
Son Of Bethesda Couple
Is Killed in Italy

Pfc William Gordon Miller, 30
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Mil
Ter. 49l6 Battery lane, Bethesda
Md, was killed April 16 in Italy
where he was fighting with the 87th
Mountain Division, his parents have
been notified. He previously was re-
ported missing.
Pvt. Miller never lived in Wash
lngton. He was working in New
York with the Sperry Gyroscope Co.
when his parents moved here three
years ago. His twin brother, Fred
erick H. jr.. is overseas with the
Seabees.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
Durable Goods Output
30% Above 1889 Rate
Seen in Year by Krug
BY the Associated Press.

At the rate the United State:
Is going, the production of dur.
able civilian goods a year from
now will be about 80 per cent
above the 1889 rate, according
to War Production Board Chair
man Krug.
Durable goods include such items
AS automobiles and household ar
ticles, as opposed to food and cloth
ing.
Submitting his estimates to WIPE
members last night, Mr.. Krug out
lined a policy of as few Fedora
controls over business as possible
This, he said, will give industry free
rein for ingenuity and enterprise
instead Of coddling the economy
through the period of temporary
slump that faces some industries
and cities.
Opposes Elaborate Controls.
I'VE must not be stampeded by
such dislocations into elaborate con-
trolls or special dispensations," Mr.
Krug's policy statement said.
Our economy is a jigsaw pattern
OF interlocking buyers and sellers
producers and consumers. The
pieces will move into place best if
we give people scope and leeway
with a minimum of rules, regula-
tions and production controls"
The manpower, materials and
plants released from war work, Mr.
Krug said, will offer substantial op-
portunity for unemployment and
reconversion if manufacturers have
the initiative to seize them.
To-day the production of durable
goods for the civilian economy
amounts to about s7,OO0,00O00O per
year" he reported.
Even in the face of a high level
of munitions output. the potential
a year from noW-if present eSti-
mates for the one-front war hold
goods SIG, 700, 900, 900, or more than
double current production and
about 30 per cent more than the 1899
level"
Big Consumer Market.
The production chief predicted
that the consumer market would be
ready to absorb an unprecedented
volume of goods. Had they been
available in 1914, goods worth $780,
600, 100000 would have been bought
up by the public. he said. Actually,
only S98 ,0OO,0O0O0O was so spent.
Foreign demand also will be felt
strongly in the United States mar
ket, Mr.. Krug said, adding:
The danger confronting us, as
l see it, is that we will overlook the
natural residence of the economy
the capacity of manufacturers,
wholesalers and retailers to readapt
themselves to changed conditions
and hence quickly to utilize the re-
sources released from munitions
production.
If we were to attempt in WASH
ington to see that every manufac-
turer, wholesaler or retailer got his
exact share of released manpower
or materials, we should be lost in a
mvraid of rules and regulations. We
should get in the way of reconver-
sion rather than speed it"
Evening star., 1945-05-28
French Colonial Soldier
Survives Jap Execution
By the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
RUNNING, China, May 2s.-
Lance Corpl. Fernand Cron of the
French Colonial Infantry told today
how he escaped from a mass grave
into which he and SO of his COM
rades had been toppled under the
swords of japanese executioners.
He exhibited a scar AZ inches
long on the back Of his neck where
the sword had struck.
Bleeding from the shallow saber
slash, he fell into slit trench grave
at Dongdang, on the French Indo-
China border, and the japanese left
him and So other hostages for dead.
He said the Japanese laid violent
siege to the French garrison of a
small hilltop fortress overlooking
Dongdang on March 9.
Cron Is one of countless French
soldiers who recently made their way
into China over rigorous mountain
trails.
Evening star., 1945-05-28

cording to today's ofncial casualty
list. Mrs. Post has left the city, it
was said at her former address.
Pfc. Harold X. PaxsOn, brother of
Mrs. Mary V. Gerald, Lanham. Nd,
was wounded in the Pacific area,
according to today's official casualty
list.
Pfc. Walter G. Mason, son of
Gaines A Mason, Route 3, Alexan-
dria, Va, who was reported on to-
days casualty list as wounded in
the Pacific area, was the subject Of
previous story in The Star when
next of kin was notified.
Missing
Sergt. Harold J. Merritt, nephew
of Mrs. Maud Johnson, 2l12 Colum-
bia pike, Arlington, Va, was reported
on today's casualty list AS missing
in action in the Pacific area
Liberated
Corpl. Everett n. Feasanes, son OF
Mrs. Berthe E. Feaganes, Route 5,
Alexandria, Va, has been reported
liberated in Germany after having
been prisoner of war.
I'd 1t. William L. Thomas, whose
wife, Mrs. Doris A. Thomas, lives at
Beverly Park Apartments, Alexan-
dria, Va, has been reported liberated
after having been prisoner of wa1
in Germany.
Sergt. Lewis F. Cockerili. 2l, son
j of Mr. and Mrs. Welby Cockerill,
1918 North Eighteenth street, Ar
lington. Va. gunner on a B-24
which was shot down June 20 over
Germany, has been liberated from a
prison camp, his parents have
learned in letters from him.
| Sergt. CockerilI was born in Fair
fax County and was graduated from
Washington-Lee High School. He
entered the Army on September 8,
1943, and has been overseas since
May 26, 1914. His brother, Pfc.
Welby Lee Cockerin. 26, is with the
9Th Army in Germany. Before he
went into the Army, Sergt. Cockerill
was civilian employe of the Navy
ordnance station in Alexandria.
Stories about the following report
ed on today's casualty list as liberat-
led prisoner of war appeared pre-
viously in The Star when next of
kin we're notified:
Pfc. Robert Zulin, son of Mrs
Goldie zulin, 6315 Thirteenth street
NV.
Sergt. Edward T. Aud, brother OF
Miss Susan E. Aud, 6O6 Bennington
drive, Silver Spring. Md.
Pfc. Arthur B. Jebens, whose wife
Mrs. Genett H. Jebens. lives at 270C
Sixteenth street South, Arlington
/ Va.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
Memorial Service Planned

A memorial service for Vansyille
district men and women serving in
the armed services will be held AT
7:30 pm. Wednesday at the honor
roll on the Baltimore boulevard
Beltsville.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
Todoy's Casualty Lists
Killed

1st 1t. Bernard Altman, 28, whose
wife, Mrs. Tampa M. Altman, lives
at 1112 Sixteenth street NV, died
in German prison camp on Feb
ruary 16, his wife has been informed.
Mrs. Altman received her husband S
Purple Heart and Bronze Star Med
al in ceremonies at the Pentagon
last week He was wounded just
before being taken prisoner last
December 20.
A brother, Pvt. Jack Altman, who
made his home in Perth Amboy, N.
j. with their parents, was killed on
Saipan and a third brother, Pvt.
Gilbert Altman, fought in France
but recently was returned to the
United States. 1t. Altman and his
wife both were graduated from
George Washington University and
the National University Law School.
1t. Altman played varsity football
at George Washington. Mrs. Alt
man is now on the legal staff of the
Smaller War Plants Corp.
Pvt. Malcolm r. Houser, %, son
of Mrs. Dorothy R. Houser, 1880
Otis street NE, died on a troop
transport at sea while en- route to
the United States after being seri-
ously wounded in Germany, his
mother was notified. He had been
overseas year and eight months
and before joining the service was
employed at the Navy Yard.
He was graduated from McKin-
ley High School in 1941. Besides his
mother, he is survived by a sister.
Miss Carol Houser, of Washington
Pfc. William Wall. %, son of Mr..
and Mrs Edward j. Wall, 1888 Penn
street NE. was killed on Okinawa
May IA, the day after his 22d birth
day anniversary his family has
been notified. His widow, Mrs
Ruth Hoffman Wall, will come here
from New York for memorial serv-
ices being held at 9 am. tomorrow
in Holy Name Church, Eleventh and
K streets N
Pvt. Wall was employed by the
Washington Terminal Co. before en-
listing in the Marine Corps in July
1912, He attended Gonzaga and St.
Charles schools. Two brothers, Pfc.
Edward j. Wall. jr.. and Aerial Ord
nanceman Robert E. Wall are also
in the services.
Yeoman 2c George A. Rumpf.
! U. S. N. %, of BeltSville, Md was
killed in action on January 7 in
Philippine waters, the Navy Depart
ment has informed his mother, Mrs
Myrtle Rumpf. Yeoman Rumpf was
on a destroyer minesweeper at the
time
Yeoman Runpf was graduate of
Central High School He worked at
the Surgeon Generals Once and
was attending Columbus University
before he entered the Navy on Sep
tember 10, 1912 He was stationed
in Washington at the Recruiting
Office on G street before he went to
sea on June l, 1943 He was at sea
until ne was killed. He has brother,
Seaman 1fc Russell Rumpf. grad
uate of Maryland University, who is
now IN tne racine.
T/Sergt. Enoch E. Gurst, brother
of Miss Theresa E. Gurst, formerly
of 1918 Third street NV, was killed
in Europe, War Department re-
lease revealed today Miss Gurst
moved to Kansas City, Kans., last
December.
Stories about the following who
were reported on today's casualty
list as killed appeared previously in
The Star when next of kin were
notified:
4 Pvt. Morgan J. Quinn, son of
Henry I. Quinn, 4730 Quebec street
NV
1st 1t. James H. Redden. jr., son
of Mrs Helen N. Redden. 4l07 Hayes
street NE.
Evening star., 1945-05-28
/. Wounded

Sergt. Marion l.. Rsckey. "a. Ma
rine Corps, son of Mrs. Maude E.
Rackey, 4577 Macarthur boulevard
NV, was wounded the second time
February 10 on Two Jima. Last July
he was wounded by shell fragments
on Saipan.
Sergt. Rackey suffered a bullet
wound when hit by sniper at Two
Jima and has been removed to this
country. According to his mother.
he is now undergoing medical care
at the Naval Hospital at Chelsea,
Mass.
Sergt. Rackey was born In the
District and was graduated from
Abbott Vocational School. He was
Ia pressman for the international
Business Machines Co. when he en-
tered the service in July, 1912. He
went overseas in January, 1943.
A brother is Navy Specialist sc
Francis j. Rackey, now stationed at
Pearl Harbor, where both met when
Sergt. Rackey was brought there
both times after having been
wounded.
Sergt. John B. Lee, %, infantry,
son OF Mrs. Margaret E. Lee, 2725
South Cleveland street, Arlington,
Va, was wounded a second time in
Germany April 30. His wounds were
in the left leg and back, his mother
said.
Born in Cumberland, Md, Sergt.
Lee was graduated from Central
High School. He was an emplove
of the Chesapeake & Potomac Tele-
phone Co. at Hyattsville. Md, be-
fore entering the service in Novem-
ber, 1912 He was sent overseas in
June, 1943.
s/Sergt. william D. Tapp. Is, only
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander
Tapp, BIT F street S.W.. was
wounded in both legs on Luzon
April 80. He expected to be home
in few months, letter informed
his parents.
Sergt. Tapp, known as willie"
Tapp in professional boxing circles
was inducted in 1941 and was sent
to the Pacific in early 1912. He was
born and educated in Virginia.
Raymond A. Post, quartermaster
sergeant, Marine Corps, whose wife,
Mrs. Raymond A. Post, formerly
lived At 3211 Perry street, Mount
Rainier, Md. has Seen wounded, &C
Evening star., 1945-05-28
1,119 Jap Vessels Sunk
In u. :. Subs Warfare

ES Inc Associated Press.
GUAM. May 28.-Admiral Chester
w. Nimitz, in one of his infrequent
disclosures of submarine activity
Yesterday credited the undersea.
service with having sunk 1,119 jap
anese ships totaling 4,500, 900 tons.
Admiral Nimitz told IA submarine
officers and men to whom he made
valor awards that the submersibles
had sunk 126 enemy combat ships
and 993 merchant vessels and helped
to 'all but sever lines which con-
nected the Japanese empire with
their stolen possessions"
Nearly half of the japanese ton
mage sunk. 2.0000 900 tons, was sent to
the bottom in the last year.
Wishful thinking won't win the
Evening star., 1945-05-28
District Blood Donations
Appointments
Saturday -----1l7 persons
Appointments broken

Saturday ---- 33 persons
Appointments may be made
with the Blood Donor Center In
the Acacia Building. 81 Louisi-
ana avenue NV, by calling
District $500 between 8 a m. and
$50 pm. weekdays, and 9 am.
to noon Saturdays.
Volunteer women are needed
as daytime drivers in the Mo-
tor Corps, which transports 80
per cent of the blood donors
Call Republic $500, Branch 1877
Evening star., 1945-05-28

TROUBLE SPOT IN NEAR EASTBrits guarantors of the
independence of Lebanon and Syria haded rov for sou
ton to the crisis gripping French relations there Sandbag
placed about public buildings in Damascus d. where
Joining the national guard French forces
reported to have sheed Aleppo a. Lebanons capital Bey
routh 49, reported quiet. --AP Wrephoto
Evening star., 1945-05-28

"Wishful thinking won't win the
var-buying bonds will do much
more"