May we not have some honest-to-God leadership over there in Washington? It is for such that I am appealing to you. Very sincerely yours, GEORGE R. HANN. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, GREENSBURG, PA., February 11, 1933. House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: As a private citizen, taxpayer, ex-service man, and a member of the American Legion, permit me to urge your committee to eliminate from the National Budget all payments to veterans whose disabilities are not service connected. In spite of the low ebb of business which has prevailed in this country for the past several years and the consequent inability of millions of us to earn a living, I feel that the people of this country are still rich enough and proud enough to desire to take care of the men who were disabled in war service at public expense, not only adequately but generously, but to pay veterans or dependents for disabilities not connected with war service simply because at one time they were in service is not only unfair to the taxpayers but is class legislation of the worst sort. Personally, I see no more logic nor justice in taxation to provide compensation for disabilities arising in civil life to one who happened to be a soldier than to arbitrarily pay compensation to individuals who have red hair or blue eyes. Very truly yours, THOS. LYNCH. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 11, 1933. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR COLLEAGUE: I am inclosing for your consideration copy of a resolution which was unanimously passed by the Rockland County division of the National Economy League at Nyack, N. Y. Sincerely yours, CHARLES D. MILLARD. “Whereas, since the Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans' Affairs are now in the process of holding hearings on a most vital subject; and "Whereas the estimates for appropriations for veterans show a substantial increase for the next fiscal year in the face of continued depression and mounting unemployment; and "Whereas there can be no normal resumption of trade and business until the extravagances of the Federal Government are eliminated, including free hospitalization and pensions for nonservice-connected disabilities: Be it therefore "Resolved, That Hon. Charles D. Millard, as the Representative of the twentyfifth congressional district, be requested to urge the Hon. John McDuffie, chairman of the said congressional committee, and other members to adopt resolutions for a sane and practical military pension policy; and be it therefore further "Resolved, That 750 members of the Rockland County division of the National Economy League do indorse this resolution. "Resolution regularly offered and unanimously approved at a meeting of the Rockland County division of the twenty-fifth congressional district of the National Economy League, held in Nyack, February 8, 1933. "E. C. PEEBLES, Secretary." COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., February 11, 1933. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, Chairman, Representative from Alabama, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Being an ex-service man not receiving compensation, permit me to express myself as being opposed to payment of compensation to ex-service men other than those in absolute need. In our region there are many, many men receiving compensation who have incomes other than compensation sufficient to give them and their family every comfort of life. There should be some way to care for the men who really need it, and discontinue the compensation to those men who do not need it. I have every confidence that you men are giving this matter your most serious thought, but beg of you that you continue your efforts to such an end that not one ex-service man not entitled will receive compensation. DEAR SIR: The Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans' Affairs may be interested in the attitude of men who were in the service in 1917-18 on the principle involved in legislation to provide benefits for veterans. As a past commander of the largest post in this district, a charter member of the American Legion in this county, and one who was for six years a member of its county executive committee, I am writing to say that I can not concur in the present position of the American Legion on this point. I earnestly believe that the time has come when Congress should adopt as a fixed policy an attitude of generosity toward all who suffered actual disability of any sort in the service, and to the heirs of those who died as a result of service-connected injuries, but just as firmly refuse any further benefits toward those whose misfortunes, if any, are not actually an outgrowth of their service. Many of us who fought with conviction for the passage of the adjusted compensation bill believe that it completes the obligation of the Government to all save those who suffered physically from their experience in 1917-18. Certainly no economic disability now prevailing has any relationship to military service 15 years ago, and the unemployed veteran is entitled to exactly the same consideration from his Government as nonveterans who are similarly handicapped. Speaking for myself and for a long list of other veterans who feel as I do, I respectfully urge this viewpoint on the consideration of your committee. Very truly yours, Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, CARLTON G. KETCHUM. PITTSBURGH, PA., February 14, 1933. House Office Building, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. MCDUFFIE: I am writing to urge that you, as chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans' Affairs, give most earnest consideration to the necessity of recommending changes in the law which will eliminate all payments to veterans account of disabilities which are not service connected. No business can survive which does not reduce expenses to keep within its income. I am convinced that our Government must follow this same wellestablished principle. One of the greatest opportunities through which a large reduction in Government expenses may be secured is offered through the elimination of expenditures account of disabilities not incurred in military service. I am strongly in favor of providing every possible assistance to veterans suffering from disabilities incurred in military service. On the other hand, I can see no reason why a veteran suffering from a nonservice disability should receive any greater consideration from the Government than any other disabled citizen. I am hopeful that all members of your committee will see the necessity of lending their support to what impresses me as being a matter of most vital importance to this country. Yours very truly, H. B. RUST. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 14, 1933. JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIRS: I am inclosing herewith a letter which I received from my constituents relative to hospitalization of veterans and their families. Yours very truly, E. L. STOKES. HOSPITALIZATION OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA, Hon. EDWARD L. STOKES, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: The proposal that the Federal Government shall provide hospital facilities and medical care for veterans and their families for any and all diseases and injuries, regardless of how and when contracted, is of such importance to the Nation that we trust you will pardon us for taking the liberty of discussing it. We respectfully submit the following for your consideration: It is the duty of Government to provide adequate care for all veterans for war and service-connected ailments or disabilities and for all mental cases and all those suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and quarantinable diseases. It is not the duty of Government nor is it proper for it to provide hospital or medical facilities for ailments and disabilities which are not service connected. If the Government should do this it would assume an enormous and unjustifiable financial burden which would have to be passed on to the taxpayers and it would be in the position of pauperizing many thousands of persons who would be able to pay their own way and whose self-respect would be increased by so doing. The splendid system of voluntary hospitals throughout the country provides excellent and sufficient care for those who are unable to pay as well as for the others. It would be just as proper for the Government to provide hospital care for all of its citizens as for it to do so for nonconnected ailments of the families of veterans. The proposal to furnish hospital facilities for all of us would very properly and naturally follow the present plan to hospitalize veterans and their families for nonservice-connected conditions. We are opposed to both. Thanking you for your active consideration of this matter, we are, ROGER A. GREENE, Chairman Legislative Committee. H. E. BISHOP, Executive Secretary. J. M. SMITH, President. COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., February 14, 1933. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, Chairman Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, D. C. SIR: As an Army pilot in the Air Service during 1918, allow me to add my voice to the increasing clamor of protest against any and all compensation payments to veterans whose disabilities are not service connected. I consider the drain on the National Treasury by World War veterans the greatest economic problem our country has to face. Is it too much to hope for that we may all see the day when every veteran, injured in service, is properly cared for, and that the vast army of leeches is eliminated from the rolls? DEAR SIR: As a veteran and as one of the organizers of the American Legion in this territory, I have long been interested in veterans' affairs. Although personally against the bonus in any form, on moral grounds, I have been content to go along with the majority of the sentiment as expressed by the Legion. This was especially true as long as the country could afford it. Under present circumstances, however, with budget balancing so great a necessity and also on learning of the terrific abuses permitted under the present laws, particularly that pertaining to nonservice-connected disability, I can not too strongly urge that your committee recommend changes in the legislation which will limit compensation to those whose injuries were unquestionably incurred in war-time service. For those who suffered any physical disability in the line of military or naval service, or for the dependents of those who died in such service, there is no care nor compensation too good; but the present demoralizing and insidious acts providing compensation for nonservice-connected or, questionably, line-of-duty disability should be stricken from the statute books. Yours very truly, LEVI BIRD Duff. THE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Under separate cover a copy of Collier's issue of February 25 is being sent you. On page 27 you will find a full-page advertisement setting forth the facts of veteran legislation. This advertisement is part of our campaign to bring before the people of America the startling information that over $400,000,000 is being spent every year on veterans and the dependents of veterans who suffered no injury in fact in any war. The most conservative estimate shows that over 5,000,000 people will read this advertisement. Of this number, 78.2 per cent are of voting age. This advertisement, those which preceded it, and those which will follow it are paid for by money borrowed against adjusted-service (bonus) certificates. The members of this committee were reluctant to use this money for themselves and donated it to this program of education in the hope of saving the Government and the people an annual burden which must increase every year as long as the present laws are in force. The Veterans' Administration has estimated that by 1945, $21,500,000,000 will have been spent on veterans of the World War injured and uninjured, sick and well, rich and poor. This sum is equal to the total cost of the war to the United States. Respectfully, ROGER BURLINGAME, Chairman Justice Committee. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, AMERICAN LEGION, PALO ALTO POST, No. 375, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. Resolution opposing abolishment of care and relief of World War and other veterans by the Federal Government: Whereas legislation now pending before the National Congress, supported by the National Economy League and other organizations, proposing the elimination of certain veteran welfare measures, would undoubtedly have the effect of transferring the cost of a large amount of essential veteran relief from the Federal Government to the various States and political subdivisions thereof; and Whereas statistics show that approximately 25 per cent of the disabled and wounded veterans of the World War are now residing in the State of California, which is illustrated by the fact that more veteran relief cases are now administered in this State than in New York or any eastern center of population; and Whereas the proposed elimination of the so-called "presumptive clause" of the World War veterans' act would shift to the local governments the duty of caring for the disabled World War veterans, which is now assumed by the Federal Government; and Whereas the proposal to abolish all pensions for veterans of the Spanish-American, the Indian Wars, and the Civil War would transfer an additional burden of taxation for the care of dependent veterans of those conflicts upon local government; and Whereas the policy of providing pensions and other necessary relief for war veterans has been established as a Federal function in this Nation ever since the War of the Revolution; and Whereas the proposal to repeal the emergency officers' retirement act will cause a great injustice to be done to this fine body of men: Therefore be it Resolved, That the American Legion Post No. 375, of Palo Alto, Calif., hereby memorializes the United States Senators from California and the Member of the House of Representatives from this district, and the chairman of the Joint Legis lative Committee now hearing veterans' matters, to oppose all legislation having for its purpose the abolition of essential care of war veterans by the Federal Government; and be it further Resolved, That the representative from this district in the State legislature is hereby requested to urge the adoption by the legislature of a similar memorial to the Congress of the United States, to the end that a burden of taxation of major proportion may not be shifted upon the government of our State or its political subdivisions, and to the further end that the essential and proper relief and care of war veterans resident in this State may not be impaired; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Palo Alto Times and the Palo Alto News with the request that they publish same so that the residents of Palo Alto may know how this post stands on this matter. The foregoing resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the American Legion Post No. 375, of Palo Alto, Calif., held February 18, 1933, by unanimous vote. JOE STROKA, Post Commander. H. S. WILLIAMS, Post Adjutant. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, BROWN UNIVERSITY, Providence, R. I., February 22, 1933. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: In common, as I believe, with millions of our fellow citizens, I want to utter my protest against any appropriation of Government money as payment to veterans whose disabilities are not due or traceable to war service. In the present condition of the country any such appropriation of money in my opinion would be utterly unwarranted and would be a real wrong to those whose economie welfare would be harmed by such appropriation. For the veterans who have incurred disability through war service, and for their families, the Government should provide generously, but for the others, by no means. I am well aware that terrific pressure is constantly being brought to bear upon our Representatives at Washington to aid those who have no rightful claim upon Government aid. I am one of the great number of our citizens who are asking you to resist such pressure to the end. Respectfully yours, CLARENCE A. BARBOUR, President. Hon. JOHN MCDUFFIE, Washington, D. C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 25, 1933. DEAR JOHN: The inclosed communication addressed to me by the Disabled Emergency Officers of the World War, the south Texas chapter, and my reply thereto are self-explanatory. I shall much appreciate your bringing the statements of this chapter to the attention of the proper authorities prior to the time your committee submits a report on March 3. With cordial best wishes and warm personal regards, I am, Sincerely your friend, RICHARD M. KLEBERG. THE DISABLED EMERGENCY OFFICERS OF THE WORLD WAR, Hon. RICHARD M. KLEBERG, Congress of the United States, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: At the regular meeting of this chapter February 7, 1933, the adjutant was directed by the chapter to forward to you the following resolutions in order that you may understand our feelings in this matter: Resolve No. 1. In the volume of detailed testimony brought before the joint congressional committee considering veterans' legislation one vital point seems to have been overlooked, both in its effect on compensated veterans as a whole and particularly in its effect on the retired emergency officers. |