wheelchair bound who use the wheelchair or other prosethetic devices cause and incur equal damage to his clothing.

While considering pension reform, once again I wish to remind the Committee that last year PVA's National Service Director submitted to the Sub-Committee on Compensation and Pension, a most comprehensive recommendation relative to the rehabilitation allowance for the severely disabled veteran. As we bring this to your attention, we contend our proposal continues to be innovative and has meaning and merit worthy of your consideration.

We realize and respect the position of the President and that of Congress to maintain a realistic budget. It is not justifiable to destroy a budget to protect a few. Nor is it humane to destroy a group of people in order to maintain a budget. The numbers of persons effected by this proposal are so few that no significant impact on the budget would be noticeable. But reverse the situation and institute the Administration's plan and the outcome would be disastrous even traumatic to the concerned individuals. Our proposal is reasonable and justified that of the Administration is neither. With the passage of your last pension bill it was stated that pension reform was the next item of business, to be accomplished within the year. Next year we hope to come before you with praises on your accomplishment.

We must keep in mind that the nonservice-connected veterans who belong to PVA and receive pension are wartime veterans who have served their country honorably. They deserve more than being regulated to a poverty level. To assume that they are making it outside the confines of a VA hospital or nursing home will make strange sounding names out of all of us. Many of our nonserviceconnected members are so-called "peacetime" and they are simply being lost to obscurity.

The time they served their country was as honorable as "wartime" veterans. Their desire to defend it was no less than the "wartime" veterans. The only difference was that no "war" was in progress just the Middle-East Crisis, the Berlin Crisis, action in the Dominican Republic, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Not to mention GI's being shot at, up on the DMZ in Korea. If that is peace, I cannot wait to see what ensues now that a ceasefire has been declared in Viet Nam. Precedent has been set, by equalizing serivce connected wartime peacetime compensation rates (PL 92-328); now it is time to do the same for pension.

The Congress is urged to research the needs of the so called peacetime veteran who served 1946-1950 and in the years 1955-1964. These nonservice connected veterans in this category who served honorably and suffered 100% totally disabled injuries should be provided a pension. PVA has pursued legislation for equalization without distinction of wartime and peacetime services. Repeating as the Service Connected Programs were equalized, the Nonservice Connected Pension Programs deserve the same respect.

Is it fair for an individual to serve eight years in the military, return to civilian status and incur a catastrophic long term spinal cord injury without support of his government? And then there is the hopsitalized nonservice-connected veteran on what is considered the old and the new pension program. Is it fair for these veterans to give up their full pension, aid and attendance to receive a mere $50 a month? At that rate, they will never be able to reenter the community. These are veterans who served landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, St. Lo, Soeul Korea, and in Viet Nam, decorated with many honors including Purple Hart, Bronze Star, etc., those who served in support of combat troops whether it be behind a typewriter or it be a cannon. In the final analysis every man who donned the American uniform are all entitled. Again we urge a look at what may be a gross oversight as we ask consideration for better pension plans for these deserving men who served!

Yes, the present program does contain imperfections, inconsistencies and inequities. A realistic approach is needed as the President did say as he recently signed the Pension Bill "While this Bill is a step in the right direction, more can be done and should be done." We agree and know we can count on the Congress and its distinguished members to improve the programs for all veterans and their families.

VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICE CONNECTED

Veterans' compensation is rapidly being eroded away by inflation. The increase in the cost of living has served to reduce the purchase power of the veterans'

compensation check by almost 13 percent over the past two years. Economic indicators used by economist's predict a continuing spiral of inflation for 1974. For many veterans so severely disabled they cannot work the VA compensation check and possible social security are their only source of revenue.

He depends upon these to pay for his housing, food, clothing, transportation and more. The result of the past two years has seen the real worth of his income dwindle and unless some action is taken by Congress he can expect it to decrease even more this year.

We ask pointedly what steps are and will be taken to protect the service connected veterans' compensation. Two bills have been introduced before Congress requesting a fifteen (15) percent increase in compensation benefits. All indicators show that by January 1975 the inflationary spirally high cost of living will have increased by at least twenty (20) percent since 1971. If the Administration has its way by 1975 the veteran will have one-fifth (1/5) less than he had in 1972. If Congress succeeds in raising compensation benefits by the amount of inflation he will have not gained anything and can look forward to an approximate same rate of loss over the next few years. But if Congress takes into consideration at least part of the inflation rate he will suffer over the next few years, the veteran will not be placed in a situation where he must plan his future around an income that fluctuates from a mean downward by as much as fifteen (15) percent in purchase power. Since Congress has traditionally reviewed veterans' service compensation every two years we suggest that this year compensation be increased by the amount of inflation incurred over the past two years plus that amount economists project as the rate of inflation for 1974 and 1975. This would serve to offset future inflation.

As part of the benefit program available to the veteran with a service connected total and permanent loss of mobility are the housing grant, PL 702, and the automobile grant and adaptive equipment. Since its beginning in 1947 the Housing grant for veterans with certain mobility loss has increased by 75% while the cost of housing has increased almost 400%. The disparity of these two figures places a much greater burden on the Viet Nam veteran as compared to the World War II veteran. Surely Congress does not place a higher value on a veteran of one war than upon a veteran of another. The PL 702 housing grant is in need of updating in order to give the severely disabled veteran an opportunity to own a home adequate for his special needs.

The second part of the benefits program we mentioned previously is the grant of a specially adapted automobile for those veterans so disabled in the line of duty that they are not able to drive a standard vehicle. Because of increased prices and reduced production of automobiles suitable for adaption to the disabled driver, we strongly promote an increase of $500 in the grant for initial purchase of an auto. Furthermore, it is suggested that the regulations of adaptive equipment be liberalized so to make available power lifts and body modifications for vehicles to be used by the disabled veteran whether he is a licensed driver or not. His need for mobility cannot be gauged by a permit to operate a motor vehicle.

Closely related to subject of auto and home grants though not under the jurisdiction of the Veterans' Committee is the fuel crisis. The effect it is having on the disabled veteran far exceeds the effect upon the average able-bodied citizen. Presently many veterans are finding it difficult to obtain oil for their homes. In the case of paraplegia this can be a problem of drastic proportions. Many paraplegics have suffered injury to the autonomic nervous system resulting in the inability to control the body temperature. Temperature ranges that might be only mildly uncomfortable for most can be detrimental to and jeopardize the health of a paraplegic. The acceptable temperature ranges of his home are far more narrow than what the Federal Energy Office has suggested for reasons of conservation. The second part of this crisis is the shortage of gasoline and the probability of rationing. The disabled veteran must rely almost solely on his automobile for transportation because of the inaccessibility of mass transportation. His employment, social well being and health care are dependent on the use of his automobile.

PVA has conducted a survey of its members and from that data have estimated the need for gasoline to be twice the maximum allocation proposed by the Federal Energy Office. Although this Committee is not directly involved with the problems of the energy crisis you are responsible for legislation that protects the well-being of veterans. We request that this Committee use all its

influence to insure that the disabled veteran is not threatened with unemployment or undue confinement because of short-sighted regulations on gas rationing and to insure he receives the necessary heating fuel for his home environment. In addition, we would also request consideration would be given the civilian physically handicapped population.

Finally, I would like to say as the voice of PVA, that as a 10 year Viet Nam era and a history of wars ugliness has finally passed. For many of us it is a proud day that we have served, however, it is also a sad day as many never returned and many have returned wounded and disabled and thank God that many have also returned safely. America does realize each gave something in his own way to a cause and to a belief in God in our great land and our great people.

Surely we have come here today in expression of not only need but also in appreciation of what may be the promises to grant that need as we thank our government and the American people to recognize and afford entitlements and what is morally right.

During many past presentations, our organization was commended by the distinguished members of your Committee as it was stated, "We the members of Congress appreciate and respect your organization because you have always made requests of the Committee and not demands-this is commendable."

Once again and on the behalf of our membership and our families, be assured our Presentation is one of request, possibly in some areas a matter of urgent request, but always one of respect. As veterans we have pride as we are proud to be counted among the 29,000,000 American Men who have served. If they had not maybe we would not be here today.

Mr. Chairman and Members of this Committee, we thank you for the opportunity and recognition to appear before you here today. We shall continue to stand ready to serve in whatever way and capacity we can. Our best wishes are extended to you and yours.

Mr. DORN. The committee is adjourned, to the call of the Chair. [Whereupon, at 10:55 a.m., the committee adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.]

RECOMMENDATIONS OF VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS,

1974

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1974

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS,

Washington, D.C. The committee met at 10:30 a.m. pursuant to notice in the caucus room, Cannon House Office Building, Representative Thaddeus J. Dulski, presiding.

Mr. DULSKI. The committee will come to order.

First, we will have the introduction of the National Commander by the Honorable Gilbert Gude, Congressman from Maryland. We are glad to have you with us, Mr. Gude."

Mr. GUDE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce today the National Commander of the American Legion, Robert E. L. Eaton of Bethesda-"Bob" to his legion of friends.

I have known Bob in his volunteer work in helping me to select the best nominees for the military academies and for his careful interviewing of the applicants and thoughtful advice to them. He is a tough old fighter, a decorated combat veteran who retired in 1961 from the active military service with the permanent rank of major general. He is now the president of a public relations and management consulting firm here in Washington.

He has been department commander of the Legion in Maryland, a member of the national executive committee and national vice commander until his unanimous election as national commander.

He is a great advocate of American volunteerism and community service, American strength and American patriotism, and I am proud to know him. Maj. Gen. Robert E. L. Eaton.

[Applause.]

STATEMENT OF MAJ. GEN. ROBERT E. L. EATON, NATIONAL COMMANDER, THE AMERICAN LEGION

Major General EATON. Thank you, Congressman Gude.

Mr. Chairman, I have with me some of the officers of the American Legion and Auxiliary and would like to have your indulgence while I ask them to stand up.

Mr. DULSKI. We are happy to have them.

Major General EATON. The vice commander from the State of Washington, Frank Brooks, vice commander from the State of South Carolina, N. E. Brown, vice commander from the State of Connecticut, John Roberto, vice commander from the State of Indiana, Gilbert

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