Evening star., 1947-01-12
Veteran Groups Seek
New Benefits Despite
Truman 5 Opposition
BY George Beveridge

blO1 t1ldJ pItScuJ vGIlUcEdliS Dcucllts
are adequate, major veterans organ
izations are going ahead with cam
paigns for large-scale additional
outlays for the Nations discharged
servicemen.
In his budget message to Congress
Friday, the President referred to his
feeling that aid programs now in
force are sufficient to readjust vet
Grams to civilian life.
although some amendments to
veterans legislation may still be re-
quired, no major new programs of
assistance appear necessary" he de-
clared.
To sustain present benefits, he
recommended appropriation of ST.
009, 900, ,000-nearly one-f1fth of the
entire budget-with contract au-
thorizations Of another $500, ,000, 900
to cover future expenses. Even so, he
estimated the figure to be 1884,
100000 below estimated expenses for
the fiscal year l948. Estimates of
costs for the present year are about
$7,601 100000
VFW Calls for Bonus.
Veterans leaders pointed out most
of their claims could be considered
as amendments to current legisla-
tion, but others admittedly would
require entirely new legislation.
Foremost, and most expensive, is
the Veterans of Foreign Wars call
for a World War II bonus.
. -Four bonus proposals already have
been introduced to the new Con-
gress. VFW leans towards one in
troduced by Republican, Repre-
sentative Schwabe of Oklahoma,
which would give veterans So for
every day served in the United
States and $4 for each day of over
seas duty. Another $500 would be
thrown in for each holder of the
Purple Heart.
Omar Ketchum, vFw legislative
chief, said his groups interest in a
bonus was ito equalize benefits
granted under the CT bill to a rela-
lively small number of veterans, and
make sure all of them receive COM
pensation for their service"
Seek Aid i'm Business.
The VFW is in back of two other
bills already introduced in the
House, Mr.. Ketchum said.
One, sponsored by Representative
Kearney, Republican, of Illinois,
would create a special agency SINH
lar to the Reconstruction Finance
Corp. to help veterans in business.
The other. introduced by Represent
atlve Beckworth, Democrat. of
Texas, would increase World Wa L
disability compensation by adopting
rates in force for veterans of the
Spanish american War.
While no other major group has
thus far issued support of a bonus
proposal, the American Legion,
American Veterans of World War
II and American Veterans Com
mittee are unified with VFW on two
other drives.
The first would order that termi- !
nal leave payments to former en-
listed men be made in cash instead
OF f1ve-year bonds, and authorize
immediate cash payments of bonds
already issued. Cost of the pro-
gram would run to more than
$2,400. 100000. |
Increased Subsistence.
The groups also want increased
subsistence allowances for veterans
in school and on-the-job training.
The Legion's demand is for out
right elimination of present ceilings
and eligibility time limits on the
program. Under present law, veter-
ans with dependents may receive a
5000 a month total of subsistence
and wages. Those with no depend !
er1ts are limited in allowance if the
total exceeds SITS. !
Amvets would like to see a Is per
cent increase in the subsistence al
lowances, which now provide a
maximum of $50 month for veter-
ans with dependents and S65 for
those without.
AVG will urge that the allowance
limits be raised S35 for all veterans,
with ceilings boosted to $500 and
1925. Chat Paterson, AVG legisla-
tive director, said his group also
would plead for unemployment
compensa ton rights for veterans
during strikes. Veterans Admins
traitor Bradley recently ruled against
this provision.
Autos for Amputees.
Also on the Amvets legislative
slate, according to Robert E. Nc
Laughlin, director, is a drive for
automobiles for all arm amputees of
World War II; provision that am
putees be allowed to add private
funds for high-priced cars to the
Governments grant of $1,000, and
a call for 10 per cent increases in
pension and disability compensation
rates
other bills already thrown into
the congressional hopper that would
increase veterans benefits, and their
sponsors, include:
Grant of education, training and
loan provisions of the CT bill to
widows of veterans or wives OF to-
tally disabled veterans. Mr.. Beck
worth.
Grant Of $500 for each year OF
active service by discharged naval
flyers. Representative OHara, Re-
publican, of Minnesota. /
Extension of loan provisions OF
the CT bill to all World War I vet
erans. Representative Anderson, Re-
publican, of California.
Payment for Heirs.
Lump-sum payment of $500 for
each year of active service to helrs
of Air Corps reserve flying ofncers
killed on active duty. Representa-
tive Smith, Republican, OF Maine.
Refunds of all income taxes PAID
after December 81, 1941, by officers
or enlisted men during the war
period. Representative Curtis, Re
publican, of Nebraska.
Pension increases for veterans SUI
fering from permanent nonservice
connected disabilities from $50 to
S75 a month. Representative Cum
ningham, Republican, OF Iowa.
Extension of CT bill education
benefits to six years after discharge;
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