Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1930, Page 7

T1 BILLION VETERAN AID SEEN BY 1340 | | | | Bureau Has Already Spent‘ $5,000,000,000, Gen. Hines Says in Forum Talk _ __(Continued From First Page.) find a responsible movement to do away with the service-connected clause in existing compensation legislation, so that the Government may come finan- cially to the relief of the many veterans throughout the country who are in need as a result of disability, the origin of which cannot be traced to their mili- tary service. These veterans require material assistance,” explained Gen. Hines, “and naturally appeal to their Government for it, just as those other ‘veterans who have preceded them. “Probably* right now there is no greater problem before the Government, connected with veterans' relief, than what policy it should adopt to meet this increasing need on behalf of World War veterans, for whom no legislation now is in force other than to provide them with hospitalization. New DPolicy Must Be Formulated. “This problem will grow, both in urgency and scope, and is a problem which must be approached with a full know] of our past policies and with a careful and earnest study of all its phases. It is evident that there must be formulated a new general policy affecting benefits for our veterans, not only for the prasent, but, so far as prac- ticable, to be prospective in scope.” Gen. Hines reiterated his proposal for consolidation of veterans’ relief, and ex- pressed his approval of a bill introduced in the House on Tuesday, looking to the consolidation of all present agencies in the Government dealing with the granting of benefits to veterans. would establish a new Government agency to be known as the Adminis- tration of Veterans’ Affairs, and to it would be transferred, Gen. Hines ex- ‘a’lllned. the activities of the present eterans’ Bureau, of the Pension Bu- reau and of the national homes for dis- abled volunteer soldiers. Discussing the need of a general na- tional policy Gen. Hines said that the establishment of the central agency would be preliminary to “the study which will be necessary before we can adopt a national policy, which would | provide a definite program for uniform Veteran relief.” Gen, Hines’ address in full follows: ‘When I was asked to speak to you to- night on the subject of veterans’ relief, I whole-heartedly welcomed the oppor- tunity. While many of you are aware of individual veterans receiving or need- ing the Government’s assistance to carry on, only a relatively few of you can ap- reciate the great extent to which your | P Gov in providing for the World War nearly 5,000,000 men and women. Apgl]uflm'l! on behalf of one out of every four of this great force have been received for the death and disability benefits provided by law. Five hundred and seventy thousand claims for these benefits have been allowed. ‘That represents a paid claim for one out of every nine who served, and to date, on their behalf, for this of benefit alone, your Government expended more than $1,200,000,000. Project this item alone into the future on the basis of a reasonable expectation of life for our present beneficlaries, say conserva- tively for only 20 years, and we reach a future obligation in compensation, un- der present laws, totaling $4,000,000,000 —an amount adequate for the ordinary f Government 217,000 Receive Compensation. ‘Today 271,000 disabled veterans are recelving disability com ition bene- fits, in amounts varying $8 a month to $250 a month. These veterdhs proximate the population of a city size of Atlanta, Ga. If fours | Government insurance. or that of their families. the harvest of that seed in the minds of our people, when, 1636, Plymouth colony enact their &burt that if any man who sent forth as a soldier should return maimed he should be maintained com- long as he 1776, enacted the first pension law, when there was promised half pay for life or during dlsabilm of u::r‘};‘ ofllcerénnilor or soldier losing & any - ment or who was so_disabled m“ge service as to render him incapable of earning a livelihood—and Ilater, and more or less continuously, to be de- veloped by Congress in the form of mill- tary pension legislation to take care our veterans the War_of 1812, the Indian ers.".he glvll War and the Spanish-American War. p'l.'hen came our declaration of war inst Germany and her allies, in April of 1917. With 21, years of World War behind us, and all too well aware of its devastation, we realized that, pofznflll:a at least, our man-power was to be tax 1d lem of as ne‘\::tbe(ure, The age-ol vroebme“_ ed in war, was . Already, apply- , had there b!!’; again before ing to_prior enacted the older military pension line with the theory laws, which expanding in- . The mldl:l: or :nm- w:es“ : employe of the Government, ::}i“‘:!" in ?!fe course of service, an l:_ Jury, was suffered O Ccompensated by , he was o4 :;‘eaégver:mem to the extent hls\en;n“. ing capacity was reduced by his d! snm' jty. This principal was adopted l;\e i ar Risk Insurance Act of October 6. 1017 ervice Must Be Shown. At first ratings were based upon the average impairment . | service. ce! a tricate rating schedule, 3%1nch°{mav is the guide for all ratings in effect. But—and this is important— the law states that payment of compen- sation car be made only where dea or disability results from an injury or disease contracted in active serm:e This service connection must be shown for a claim to be valid. By amendments from time to time the proof of service ‘connection for certain classes of condi- fions. especially for tuberculosis and the mental and nervous diseases, has be: come greatly simplified through estab- lishing so-called presumption of service 921, if a veteran could show that he suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis ‘mental or nervous disease to an ex- :n't of 10 per cent degree of disability within two years after separation from the service, service origin was presumed. Later, in 1924, this presumptive period was extended to January 1, 1925. Thoussnds of cases were immediately these liberalizing amend- nts, since prior to them the service | ficiaries, such as our of their disabilities could not be ! with its 59,000 wards. nefited by nstrated. have dwelt somewimt rmist . | Congress provided a cash bonus of Thus, by an amendment of at length on cannot accurately be | | GEN. FRAN THE EVENING | majority of whom are insane. For most| not as a result of their military serv- REVEALS HUGE VETERAN RELIEF TOTA K T. HINES. —Harris-Ewing Photo. i disability compensation, since it intro- duced a new basis for military pension. | However, the original war risk insur- | ance act, together with its amendments {and corollary legislation, has brought {other important privileges and benefits | to the veteran. Government Aided Families. | It recognized that during the period | of the war families of soldiers would be | deprived to some degree of support from their fighting men. So the Gov- ernment offered to supplement any ! funds which the soldier desired to allot | from his pay for the care of his family. Our soldiers allotted a total of $300,- 000,000 to be sent directly to their homes, and our Government added $282,000,000 for their dependents. 1t further recognized the fact that men entering the military service of the Nation would be compelled to sac- rifice their right to protection afforded by commercial life insurance companies, either through cancellation of existing contracts or prohibitive premium rates. Yearly renewable term insurance, to maximum amount of $10,000, was Pm vided at rates within the power of all to pay, with both death and permanent total disability provisions. And the Government immediately entered into a vast ce business. Forty billion dollars’ worth of insurance was applied for. Think of the tremendous scope of this protection — imately twice the amount of -time legal-reserve life insurance in force in the entire United States*at that time —on terms which, because of the hazards of war, could not hope to be self supporting. But with the armistice the need for this protection, in the minds of our veterans, was quickly dissipated and hundreds of thousands of policies were dropped, although this term insurance was continued until July 2, 1927 — but the Government's obligation under its contracts continues. Premium receipts for this insurance approximated $452,- 000,000, while the commuted value of allowed claims exceeds $1,500,000, Insurance May Be Converted. It was also provided that this term insurance might be converted to United States Government life insurance, and even now all veterans in good health who were eligible for term insurance may apply for converted insurance, thus providing for their old age and their dependents. I know of no more desirable method of creating an estate or meeting this obligation than through ‘The premium rates are most advantageous, since they are net rates without overhead expense, the Government bearing all the cost of administration; and the policies are is- sued free from all restrictions as to res- S s b ude a permanen y ciause which is without limit as to the age before which disability must occur. ‘Today 648,913 policies are in effect, to & value exceeding three billion dollars. ‘Your government next recognized the fact that because of disability suffered many of our returned veterans would not be able to \ | occupation, without cost, courses of habilitation, so that they might be in | able to overcome their vocational handi- caps. This was a tremendous experi- ment for any government to undertake, and while it is now finished, its results were far reaching not only in bringing to many veterans the means of a suc- cessful livelihood, but also in raising the educational standard of a large part of our veteran lation. One hundred and seventy-nine thousand veterans actually entered training, and the training of about 128,000 veterans was successfully completed. While the expenses incident to instruction were met in all cases, for the great majority also the government provided main- tenance and support wance to the veteran and his dependents. This bro- gram cost our Nation $645,000,000, and —ladles and gentlemen—I am confident that this sum, great as it is, represents a most profitable investment, the re- turns on which can be measured in in- creased earning power and contentment. Many Trainees Win Medals. Many of our trainees have not only successfully completed the courses selected but have come through with colors flying, winning prizes, medals, honors, and in other significant ways manifesting the same spirit, courage, and determination which carried them | through the norrors of the war, itself. | "There comes to mind the cobbler’s son, who, during his art course at Yale won the coveted Prix de Rome for one of his paintings, the successful author whose course in journalism and writing was consummated by the publishing of a serious novel which came to be classed {among the “six best sellers” for that year, and several others who won & | Pulitzer ~ traveling scholarship in | journalism. Within a year after the ice, $60 {to all veterans discharged from the This action was not considered adequate, and in 1924 there was A over the President’s veto, the World War adjusted service compensation act, obligating the Government over the next 15 to 20 years to an expenditure exceeding $3,500,000,000, and involving annual appropriations of more than $100,000,000 each year for the purpose | of creating an adequate fund to meet this obligation. Already, because of death, claims under this act have bee settled at a cost approximating $120,~ 000,000 ‘The most recent legislation conferring additional benefits to a group of World War veterans, also D over the President’s veto, was that authorizing the retirement of emergency officers disabled by service to a permanent de- gree of 30 per cent or more at three- quarters of their af in lieu of com) n. An&mmmnely 6,000 officers thus far retired with pay. Hospitalization Provided. I have thus far outlined the financial | assistance which Congress has, with increased liberality, veterans. et I do rdianshi ork P ever, & further extended to our Tegr not have the time to discuss all those other services which the bureau affords to its bene- lars and cents but which is of utmost economic significance and, to many of our veterans, is all important. It is our service of medical treatment and hospitalization, the service which deals with our sick veteran, which heals where it can, but always affords refuge to the veteran needing treatment for his service disability and, so far as possible, to all other veterans who are 11, whether physically or mentally. ‘Coincident with the granting of com- pensation, Congress authorized for those with disabilities which resulted from service, medical treatment and hospital- ization, a function previously performed for veterans only by the nine branches of our National Soldiers’ Homes, then largely occupled by veterans with service in prior wars. Without appreciable preparation, our Government was, im- mediately after the armistice, confronted with the necessity of establishing a vast medical organization to care for the thousands of disabled veterans looking to it for aid. ction was at once started to make reatment facilities available. Private and State hospitals were contracted | with, hospitals or buildings permitting conversion to hospitals were leased out- right and staffed, cantonment hospitals were transferred, to meet a constantly swelling load of sick veterans. Through i::a of :g:?l: fi.oo‘g‘mmmwm had n _reco! follow] r 91,000 were admitted, and dumflgjy:l.n next 12 months more than 134,000 admissions were recorded. Coh e had ngress made its first appropria- tion of $9,050,000 for the eon%mcnm and development of medical facilities. Practically continuously since that time construction of modern hospital facil- ities has been in progress. Temporary facilities have been replaced by perma- nent, leased hospitals by Government owned modern institutions, and contract hospitalization reduced to its present figure of but about 6 per cent of our enur‘e“rthm load. But one I hosp! is now in operation, and less than 600 of the 22, tional beds are under construction, and under existing authority 5,000 additional beds are being planned. In all, $160,- 000,000 has been authorized for capital in this direction, making the largest medical organization in the world. Our hospitals alone require the services of 950 physicians and dentists, 2,100 nurses, di other personnel, and an annual oper- ating expenditure of $30,000,000 each " Bureau Proud of Service. ‘The bureau is justly proud of its hos- pital service, which has zealously striven to bring to it the best that medical serv- ice has developed so that no stone may ed to cure the ill and to bring | happiness and health back to those who suffer. Among the 31,000 veter- an patients now in all hospitals is, how- | possible will be theirs. The need of the sick is urgent, and |ly meantime, in March of 1919, | by itians and aides; 10800 gng ever, that tragic 14,000 suffering from mental or nervous diseases, the great Two Special which in dol- STAR, WASHINGTON of these there is little hope of life as we enjoy it, but I assure you & sym- pathetic service is continuously devoted to their care, so such contentment as is It is natural to inquire why, now—12 years after the armistice—we are still planning more hospl!t and why, even after our present approved plans are accomplished, we still see ahead further expenditures for construction. Our pa- tient population reached its Efi‘dfidd.h' years ago, at 30,890, then sul two years later to 24,000, and now has ap- its previous peak with a p ent load of 30,781. Up to 1924, we could only hospitalize those suffering from disabilities of service origin. In June of 1924, Congress authorized the hos- pitalization, so far as Government fa- cilities were available, of veterans of all wars who were in need of treat- ment regardless of the character or ori- gin of their disabilities. Immediately the character of our patient load chang- ed, until today more than 40 per cent of all patients in Government hos- pitals are there not because of disabili- ties of service, but for diseases or in- Juries not shown to be due to service. The percentage of these cases has ris- en continuously, and_thereby our hos- pital resources have been taxed to ca- pacity. With a reservoir of more than 4,000,000 men and women, you may readily understand to what proportions this may extend if it is to be the licy of our Government to establish facilities for them proportionate to the robable need. In the estimates for ospital construction made up to this year, the essential basis was the need for the service-connected case, Congress having been silent as to its intent in providing nent facilities for those suffering from conditions not due to yond existing facilities. Last December, however, Congress author- ized additional construction to the amount of nearly sixteen million dol- lars, which cannot be construed as in- tended exclusively for those disabled in service. If this legislation is conceded as indicative of an intent to embark on a construction program for mnon- service-connected cases, vastly increased expenditures on hospital construction and operation may be expected. The exact extent cannot now be stated, but preliminary studies by expe i | rt statisti- cians and physicians familiar with this problem indicate a future obligation in this direction which far overshadows our whole experience to date. Certain- ly these data, when complete, will jus- tify a most careful consideration by Congress, so that in their further def- inition of policy for the hospital treat- ment of these cases a full comprehen- sion will obtain as to the probable ef- | , fect and cost. Provisions Liberalized. From the foregoing it will be seen that the original lation for World War veterans sought definitely to pro- vide vocational training, compensation and medical care and treatment for the veterans who were disabled through ey sty P , g ar] ital treatment and compensation, {Ill it- liberalized the original pro ns and reflects a most sympathetle atti- tude toward the World War veteran on the part of Congress. Consistent with this liberal attitude on the part of Congress has the Veterans’ Bureau shaped its policies, so that the relief for may beuemnfled to the deuslb e veteran promptly, generously and sym- theticall pal ‘There has been increasingly manifest, however, public criticism of the bureau’s failure to favorably adjudicate certain claims for disability compensation made veterans who are unquestionably dis- abled. In answer to this, may I say that the Veterans' Bureau is simply the in- Dassed by Gongress 1or the ‘it of y gress for the relief of precribed conditions the application of the several relief ben- efits which they provide. Under the law, the bureau cannot make any rules or regulations inconsistent with it. For the purpose of connecting disebilities with service, the law requires that cer- tain of its stipulated requirements be Shown. the absence of this show- . there exists no legal authority for e bureau, or any other Government nfigcy. to grant benefits the right to which is based rily upon this lacking element. en under such cir- cumstances, no final action adverse to & veteran's claim is taken without sin- cere and sympathetic application of the Veterans’ Bureau policy to resolve all reasonable doubt in favor of the vet- eran, It is undeniable, however, that even under the most liberal interpretation and application of the law, hardship, sometimes distress, murt mufl. ‘The relief for this situation, however, does not lie in the liberalization of the Vetérans' Bureau application of the law, and certainly cannot lie in its transgression, but. rather, must le in such changes in the law itself as Con- ! gress may deem advisable. The same situation we are experienc- ing now—that is, the impossibility of many disabled veterans being -eligible for compensation or pension—has been before the Government subsequent to prior wars, and for the relief of vet- erans of prior wars who were disabled Productions Top Coats at 329.75 Modeled in raglan or regular shoulders—a n d made up in Tweeds, Home- spuns and Knit- ted cloths — in the popular shades, gray, brown, etc. We have put the tailoring into these Coats that sets them on a plane dollars above the price. Glenbrook Worsted Suits Another out- standing value— a worsted of ex- ceptional quality —in Mist Blue, Gray, etc.—and of distinctive models. 38 The Mode—F at Eleventh: ¥ Faliaol]= MARCH 14, 1930. !whn have not thus far applied for ice it became necessary to pass new | compensation benefits. nsion laws not m] up:n ‘;r':k:e- Urges Consolidation of Services. incurred_disabilities. In the nce | 1t is this situation particularly which of the Revolutionary z?r. un:vl;- 37| 1as caused me to publicly urge the years after its close R fore 1enin “; consolidation uf all veterans’ relief as a tion was taken, ll\gn bel: sign! hum“e preliminary to the study which will be that the progression : n mut:se © | necessary before we can adopt a na- same after each meeeedmmn'hmr. ber: tional policy which would provide a loe-connected _disabilit ave been | definite program for uniform veteran promptly recognized always, but it was | rejier, so that the veterans themselves not until need was demonstrated that |y petter understand the differences other veterans have been cared for.|.nq discrepancies in the nature of re- Already in the instance of the World |jies afforded, and, in the event of fu- ‘War veterans, some ,fi,‘fi"fl years l{;‘if ture wars, & man might know when he the armistice, we m: m’:mflr:' e | enters the service just what recompense Somneciad ciause i existing compensa- | Ceont of his death or disabiity. " Thie o Tetibi o, 80 Ciaut e GO AL | preand Soott ey v may come financially to the relief of | gccomplished under a continued divid- the g::\’-nym ve'enmm m:;:roulbm‘x:m fl;? ed legu[n_ntllve lnd“upernuve responsi- coun! wi are AS & T ity. e consol terans’ disabiliy the origin of which cannot be | sgencles. would . automatically remove traced to their military service. These | such impediments as dual jurisdiction, veterans require material assistance | gjversified control, duplication of effort and, naturally, appeal to their Govern- | and other expensive and detrimental ment for it, just as those other ve;- features, thereby reducing administra- enn.bl s who have them. Plvb- tive expense; and with all budget ac- ly right now there is no greater vrvm; tivities dealing with this problem con- i veierans’ reler, Hhan WAL DY | Gomaress, he. adiminiiirntion and. the it should adopt to meet this increasing | peopie to know at all times the total :;::. ormbe'h;lofn oufls‘:i:l:lgarl;o :eg; eofi: rox legislation dealing with veterans’ re] 3 in force other than to provide them | There was introduced in the House with hospitalization. This problem will|of Representatives on Tuesday a bill grow, both in urgency and scope, and | jooking to the consolidation of all pres- is a problem which must be approached | ent age in the Government dealing with a full knowledge of our past poll- | with the granting of benefits to vet- cles and with a careful and earnest|erans. This bill, after public hearings hat” there. must e Jormulated & Dew | Soas sommiien, cas for T ecm: m 3 e o general policy affecting benefits for our veterans, not only for the present but, so far as practicable, to be prospective in scope. I have given you some idea of the magnitude of the Nation's potential ob- ligation, showing that already there has been disbursed by the Veterans’ Bureau more than five billion dollars. Under our present laws, this cost by 1940 will have totaled approximately eieven billion dollars, and in a little more than another decade will have probably equaled the original cost of the war to the United States up to April, 1919, which was twenty-one bil- lion eight-hundred-and-fifty million dollars. I give you this figure only to show what is involved, as only approx- imately one-quarter of the veterans who served have thus far filed cl-ims for benefits. Any future chance in policy, granting ' additional relief or tending to do away with the present need for showing service connection of their disabilities, will, undoubtedly, ap- ply to a large percentage of the three- ind: If million men and women D.' C, FRIDAY, known as the Administration of Vet- erans’ Affairs. To it would be tranferred the activities of the present Veterans' Bureau, of the Pension Bureau and of the national homes for disabled volun- teer soldiers. By it would be - dated all effort on the part of the Gov= ernment to take care of veterans of all wars. There is no question but what, under such an organizat better administration of veterans’ result. Liberal Consideration Applied. Finally, may I say that while I have quoted figures for you and realize that at the best statistics are dull, there appeared to be no better means of bringing before you the tremendous scope of what we are doing today on behalf of those men and women who served the country so well. But these figures represent, each one, a human problem, and it is our duty to consider all demands made on the bureau hu- manely and sympathetically. I am con- fident that this done and that the bureau is according to the veterans the a airs would “Prep” Suits Specially Catering to the Fashion Ideas of Those Pre-mature Ages— 14 to 20 years You'll find the Nationally Known Store has grouped comprehensively the trend of taste and viewpoint in fashion of the near grown-ups. We have trans- lated their ideas into garments that reflect our ideals of quality that can be featured in these grades— 22 to 30 Each Suit has two pairs of trousers Modeled in consistent adaptations of mannish styles— in tweeds, cheviots, cassimeres and plain blues. At $22.50, $25 and $30 are the fancy effects—with two pairs of pants—both long, or one long and one knickers, for sports wear. At $25 are the plain blues — both long trousers. You'll find them in fhe section on the second floor dedicated to “prep apparel.” The Avenue at Ninth ment of a Government agency to be | ms NATIONALLY KNQWN STORE e AT ITALIAN BARITONE TO SING ON ST.PATRICK’S PROGRAM Dr. Hugh T. Stevenson, pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, announces that an Italian baritone of Philadelphis has been libétsl in aid in border-line cases. is indicated in our resuits & degree of liberality in administration that transcends results of other known application of a similar system of vet- erans’ relief. The increasing number of veterans receiving compensation and hospitalization and the increased | yij| pe the featured artist on the an- amount of compensation paid in the In- | nya) §t. Patrick’s progran which will dividual case definitely confirm my con- | he presented at the church tonight. fidence in this direction. Certainly all [ The singer is said to be & famous employes of the bureau, many of whom | artist, but, due to technical compli- are veterans themselves, respect and ap- | cations in theater contracts, he will ply this policy of liberal consideration, | not appear under his own name. He and most certainly it is the only policy |is listed on the program as Armando which the Government could adopt in | Campanilli. He will sing operatic sirs m%'“ those who went into War, |and ‘songs. His accompanist will be knowing in advance that they might | Olindo Marseglia. not return to homes, or, if they | ~ Another musical soloist of the eve- did return, might return, as so many | ning will be Signorina M. Marseglis, have, unable to enjoy all in life that| who will give violoncello numbers. might have been theirs. We must be | Paul F. Grove, jr., will give an im- sure, not only now, but in future ad- | personation of “The Drafted Soldier,” ministrations, that the full measure of | for which he has become quite noted. relief to which, under the law, our vet- The program will begin at 8:15 p. erans are eufl‘bl?nh (lve;l 'pn;xnml{n-r:ld generously an a spirit of gratitude for a service faithfully rendered. | | BARNABY TO SPEAK. Lieut. Ralph 8. Barnaby will tell of his h::reflmeen at the Cape Cod Gliding Scl and of his glider descent from | the Navy dirigible Los Angeles recently, at a meeting of the Naval Academy Graduates’ Association o'clock to- night in the Army and Navy Club. Next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Lieut. Barnaby will be the speaker at an organization eeting of a glider unit of the Standards Flying Club in the east building of the Bureau of Standards, Connecticut ave- nue and Van Ness street. The public is invited. Lieut. 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