say that about ourselves as we conclude these hearings, because these investigation committees usually are very expensive organizations. We are going to close the hearing now unless something occurs which would make it absolutely essential to open it between now and March 3. Senator BROOKHART. Mr. Chairman, I would like to insert a few remarks just before we close. I fully agree with the chairman that this investigation would never have been held except for the depression, and for that reason I am quite strongly opposed to any reduction in veterans' compensation based on the depression, because I do not believe we are going to stay forever in the depression. I have more confidence than that in the new Democratic administration, and I think our actions should be based on the general level of American prosperity rather than the ups and downs it experiences, and for that reason I want to congratulate the House of Representatives in passing a bill already with $18,000,000 increase in the Veterans' Bureau appropriation. I think that is probably about the natural increase that would come along, and while I am for uprooting every element of fraud or deception that may be done, I think the law provides for that now, and that is the question of administration in the bureau. I do not want anybody to get compensation who is not entitled to it under the law, or anything of that character, but on the other hand I hope to see the law administered humanely in the interests of all veterans of all wars, and I would be glad to see the inequalities wiped out not by reducing those that are getting higher rates, but maybe by raising the others up to the level of those who are getting the higher rates. I regret very much that I was not able to be in this investigation in the beginning and only able to attend the later hearings. The CHAIRMAN. Of course, we can not recommend bills. We can only deal generally and be specific in some instances as to certain things we think Congress should take up. I think, in view of the fact that no legislation will be passed in the immediate future, possibly some may be passed in the new Congress, the extra session which will be called doubtless at an early date. In that event I am quite sure the Commander in Chief, the President, will express his views, and whatever they are, I feel sure that Congress will put his views into law. But the thought that occurred to me while you were speaking was this: If there be injustices practiced now on the Government, and that means the people of this country, by having those on the pay roll and drawing compensation from the Government who are not entitled, the only way to find out the real facts of the truth is to call for these people or call upon them to submit themselves for another examination; and I understand the veterans' administrator, General Hines, is now proceeding to review some of the cases in his files down there with that purpose in view, to ascertain if there be those on the rolls that are not properly there, and I think that we should uphold him in such a review of those cases. The committee stands adjourned. (Whereupon the committee adjourned at 12.15 o'clock p. m., to meet a next time pursuant to the call of the chairman in executive session.) VETERANS' AFFAIRS JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, Saturday, February 24, 1933. Pursuant to adjournment Monday, February 6, 1933, the committee met in executive session in the Senate minority conference room of the Capitol at 10 o'clock a. m. John McDuffie, chairman, Representative from Alabama, presided. At 10.55 o'clock a. m., by unanimous consent of the members of the committee present, the chairman ordered the doors opened and went into open session for the purpose of inserting in the record of the proceedings of the committee the following statements, letters, briefs, and charts and lists of names of organizations and individuals from whom letters, resolutions, and briefs have been received since the last committee meeting, all of which are pertinent to the subject matter that has been under consideration by the committee. C-370592 Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION, Chairman Joint Congressional Committee Investigating Veterans' Affairs, MY DEAR MR. MCDUFFIE: This concerns the claim in which you will recall that Doctor Lorenz gave testimony pertaining to the adjudication thereof before your committee. The veteran is shown to have performed active military service from March 6, 1917, to May 18, 1919, at which time he was honorably discharged. There were no notations made of physical defects at time of enlistment; neither were there any records made of physical defects at time of discharge. During service, however, he is shown to have been treated at Camp Hospital No. 10 from April 6 to 18, 1918, for mumps. In the physical examination conducted for the administration on June 6, 1932, by Doctor Lorenz, the veteran is reported to have stated that while in military service he was kicked by a mule. A careful search of the records of the War Department fails to disclose the accident; neither is there any record of treatment being received by the veteran on account of such an accident. In this regard a representative of the Veterans' Administration was designated to personally review and assist in the search of the records of the War Department to ascertain definitely whether or not the incident, which the veteran alleged to have happened, did occur. This survey by the representative of the Veterans' Administration, as well as by the personnel of The Adjutant General's office, fails to reveal any record of the veteran having been kicked by a mule. The veteran is shown to have executed a claim for disability compensation on February 17, 1920. At this time disability compensation was claimed on account of "mumps and after complications" which the veteran stated began March, 1918, and was caused by "contracting of cold following attack of mumps.' A claim was executed on December 16, 1930, for disability allowance benefits, at which time the nature of disease claimed was cause of "operation for hernias, left with adhesions, which is causing kidney, back, and stomach trouble." A second claim for disability allowance benefits was executed August 26, 1932, at which time the nature of disease or injury, on account of which claim was filed, is stated as "infectious encephalitis with cortical atrophy." 150490-33-VOL 4-10 1123 The claim for disability allowance benefits as adjudicated, and it was held by the rating board in the field office that the combined disabilities were disabling to a degree of permanent and partial 25 per cent from December 18, 1930, to September 25, 1932, and permanent and partial 50 per cent from September 26, 1932. In regard to the claim for disability compensation benefits it was held that the disability diagnosed atrophy right testicle with loss of procreative power was disabling to the degree of temporary partial 10 per cent from date of discharge to August 22, 1923, and less than 10 per cent disabling thereafter. However, it was held that the veteran was entitled to the statutory award of $25 per month from the passage of the amendatory legislation, namely, July 3, 1930. As you will recall, this was authorized by section 202 (3) of the World War veterans' act, as amended July 3, 1930. At the time Doctor Lorenz examined the veteran a diagnosis of organic brain disease in the nature of cortical atrophy with personality change was made, with the opinion expressed by the examining doctor that the condition is probably a residual of a head trauma, and invites attention to the fact that the veteran stated that he was kicked by a mule while in service. The examination by Doctor Lorenz, wherein he reports that the veteran stated that he was kicked by a mule in the service, is the first evidence presented to the administration concerning this accident. I have recently had the records recalled from the field office with instructions that a complete review be made of the case by the administrator's board of appeals, which is the highest rating authority in the administration, but before taking action an effort will be made to contact the former comrades of the veteran for the purpose of ascertaining definitely whether the injury referred to by the veteran actually happened. As I previously stated, there is no record of this injury in The Adjutant General's office, and the mere statement of the veteran which is reported by Doctor Lorenz would be insufficient to rebut the negative report from The Adjutant Oeneral's office in this regard. Every effort will be made by the administration to render a final decision in this claim as promptly as possible, and you may be sure that when action is taken by the administrator's board of appeals a further report will be submitted. Very truly yours, FRANK T. HINES, Administrator. VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION, Washington, February 15, 1933. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, Chairman Joint Congressional Committee, MY DEAR MR. McDuffie: This has reference to the request of the committee to report concerning some of the inequalities in existing legislation brought out by Congressman-elect_John H. Hoeppel in his testimony before the joint congressional committee, February 6, 1933. Most of the inequalities referred to are covered in the "Study of inequalities" and "Brief of major inequalities" submitted to the committee by this administration before the opening of the public hearings and which were used as a basis for recommendations made by me. However, it is important to invite attention to the fact that those studies are based upon the laws administered by the Veterans' Administration and do not extend to laws administered solely by other departments; for example, retirement of members of the regular establishment. As to eligibility for domiciliary care, hospitalization, and other benefits administered by this administration, it is believed that the study of inequalities and the testimony furnished the committee by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs substantially cover the inequalities in that connection mentioned by Mr. Hoeppel. It is my opinion that considerations leading to the development of a national policy should include the status of retired members of the regular establishment with reference to benefits administered by the Veterans' Administration in comparison to other persons in similar status. As to eligibility for domiciliary care, it would be advisable to secure a report from the War and Navy Departments regarding domiciliary care furnished at the present time under their jurisdiction, namely, in the United States Soldiers' Home, Washington, D. C., and the United States Naval Home, Philadelphia, Pa. As you know, the existing laws adminis tered by the Veterans' Administration preclude the admission to the Veterans' Administration homes of men in retired status, as the law, in addition to other requirements, makes eligible those honorably discharged from last enlistment. As stated by Mr. Hoeppel, it has been held by the Comptroller General that under the foregoing language those in retired status can not be considered as honorably discharged. It is probable that, in deliberations concerning a national policy, additional explanatory information and data will be required from this administration in cooperation with the Congress. A copy of this letter in inclosed for your use. FRANK T. HINES, Administrator. VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION, Washington, February 17, 1933. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, Chairman Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. MCDUFFIE: In compliance with your oral request there is submitted herewith a statement showing number of physicians and attorneys in the Veterans' Administration classified by types of work performed and by salary ranges. I trust the information is in the form desired by the committee. Very truly yours, FRANK T. HINES, Administrator. VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION Statement showing number of attorneys in Veterans' Administration classified by salary groups and types of work as of January 31, 1933, for central office and December 31, 1932, for field Salary group Assignment $8,000 $6,500 $5, 600 $4,600 $3,800 $3,500 $3,200 $2,600 Statement showing number of attorneys in Veterans' Administration classified by salary groups and types of work as of January 31, 1933, for central office and December 31, 1932, for field-Continued Salary group Assignment to $8,000 $6,500 $5,600 $4,600 $3,800 $3,500 $3,200 $2,600 to to INSURANCE AND ADJUSTED Chief, division. Legal adviser. Council member. Chief, subdivision. Chief, section... Assistant chief, section. Senior adjudicator.. Adjudicator.. Legal member. Assistant chief, subdivision.. Total ALL OTHER ADJUDICATION AC- Chairman, committee on re- Member, committee on recov eries.. Chairman, board of review. to Total $9,000 $7,500 $6, 4C0 $5,400 $4,600 $4,100 $3,800 $3,200 Legal assistant... 1 Adjudication member. 1 Member, rating schedule board Reviewer. 8 15 Field supervisor. 11 11 Chief, division. 1 Chief, subdivision. 1 Adjudicator. Senior adjudicator. Member, reimbursement appeal committee.. Chairman, reimbursement appeal committee. Associate attorney. Assistant attorney. Legal member, claims rating subdivision. Total. |