creased 2 percent. If the February rate of inflation is any example of what is to come by the time Congress is supposed to review compensations again, one-third of the service-connected veteran's compensation will have been eroded away by cost of living. Maybe it is time to consider an automatic cost-of-living increase. If we persist in only reevaluating compensation every 2 years, then PVA suggests that we cease chasing inflation, catching up only when Congress reviews the situation, but project ahead anticipating the rate of inflation and providing an ample increase in compensation benefits before inflation destroys it. To do so would require an increase of 30 percent. The choice seems to be keeping the veteran abreast of inflation by the means of an automatic increase or project ahead and provide a 30percent increase in compensation now with periodic review by Congress. Along with the increase in compensation should be an increase in DIC benefits. For individuals such as PVA represents, DIC benefits are the only form of income protection available to the veteran's family. His disability negates the possibility of him buying commercial income protection insurance to protect his family in the event of his death. Unless he was fortunate to have some form of life insurance prior to the onset of his disability, the only protection available to his family shall be those benefits provided by the Federal Government. We have already elaborated on the effects of his disability on his lifetime income. Add to this his inability to purchase life insurance and the proven fact of a shorted life span, it would be remiss not to make suitable adjustment for his family upon his death. While conducting a survey on the driving habits of our membership for purposes of establishing gasoline consumption rates, we also learned a great deal more about the automobile driven by the spinalcord injured veteran. It became apparent that driving habits did not vary significantly between those living in metropolitan areas and those living in rural areas. The profile developed was one of absolute dependence upon the private motor vehicle whether the distance to be traveled was one of miles or blocks. The automobile has become an integral part of the paralyzed veteran's life style, providing him with a means to get to and from work, a source of recreation and an absolute necessity for the administration of everyday affairs. His dependence on the automobile goes beyond that of a basic system of transportation. For the individual suffering from paralysis due to spinal injury, the automobile must provide systems of powered assist brakes, steering, windows, and automatic transmission. For many with damage to the autonomic nervous system it becomes necessary to cool and heat the car's air in order the individual can live within the automobile's environment. Because of physical limitation of its owner, the auto must be of sound construction and reliable. The automobile for the paraplegic is analogous to the space capsule for astronauts. The space capsule must provide a livable environment and function with high reliability while transporting its occupant for he has no alternate system of transportation if it were to fail. The same is true for the paraplegic and his automobile. To get to the crux of the matter all these powered assist devices and high reliability cost money and the seriously disabled veterans need assistance in purchasing this equipment. The present grant of $2,800 32-022 O 74 18 is no longer sufficient to cover cost of the initial purchase of an adaptable automobile. The recent gasoline crisis has reduced the production of larger automobiles suitable for the disabled driver and his wheelchair. The limited production will result in even higher costs for such automobiles. The disabled veteran has little choice but to buy the larger cars. If the Veterans' Administration is to maintain the responsibility of assisting those veterans disabled in service to their country, then a substantial increase in the auto grant must be made. Along with the increased auto grant some provisions need to be made in adapting vehicles for use by the more seriously disabled individuals. For example, many spinal-cord injured veterans are unable to transfer from their wheelchairs to an automobile seat. They need vehicles especially modified in order that they may on-load and offload without leaving the confines of their wheelchair. More specifically, they need vans adapted with powered lifting devices and other body modifications necessary to accommodate the driver and his wheelchair. As I stated earlier, PVA has learned a great deal about the transportation needs of the paralyzed veteran. Currently he owns less than the average two cars per family, but the car he does own is most likely a large automobile (4,800 lbs. or larger). He drives on the average of 12,500 miles per year and keeps that automobile for only 2 to 3 years before trading for a newer model. Each year his transportation costs go up at a far more rapid rate than his income. Even though much has been said about the removal of architectural barriers in mass transportation, there exists only one means by which he can. travel and this is his automobile. In conclusion, the PVA would ask for one more change in the adaptive equipment regulations. Section 1902 of title 38, United States Code, provides for a payment not to exceed $2,800.00 on the purchase price of an automobile for a veteran who cannot qualify to operate a vehicle. We suggest that this be further expanded to provide for the modification to that vehicle for reasons of entrance and exit by said veteran and that such modification be provided on subsequent replacement vehicles. We can only hope it never becomes necessary to enlist our Nation's young men to do battle for the preservation of our society, but if that time comes again, let us not send our sons or son's sons into battle without first meeting all obligations to veterans of previous wars. We would like to congratulate the Committee on what we feel is the progressive thinking by the introduction of S. 2363, of S. 3067 and also of S. 3072. The Paralyzed Veterans of America is in support of these bills, with possibly some small exception for the compensation increase. There has been some question, in fact, that because of the cost-ofliving increase, as projected over the next year, as you discussed with the Veterans' Administration a short while ago, the conservative estimates run somewhere between 7 percent and other estimates run as high as 12 percent in cost-of-living increase in the next year. We feel that a 15-percent increase in compensation may be quickly negated within a matter of just 1 year, so if there is not an automatic cost-of-living increase built into this law, then possibly the Committee ought to think about anticipating ahead what the cost of living will be over the next 2 years. The balance of our statement will cover S. 2363. It has a strong effect on our organization, as you know, almost every member of our organization must drive by the use of hand controls and other special adaptations to their automobile. Because of the nature of spinal cord disability injury, a great number of our people do not or cannot control their own body temperatures because damage to the autonomic nervous system destroys this ability. We, therefore, recommend for safety reasons, air-conditioning be provided. The interpretation of Public Law 91-666 does not make this clear and there should be some type of clarification made. The need for power lifts, again, was determined by the Veterans' Administration not to be covered under Public Law 91-666. We feel that this is being too strict in terms of the interpretation. The situation, when an individual must drive from his wheelchair, because of an inability to transfer from his wheelchair into an automobile, it becomes an absolute necessity, that a van, and a lift to get into that van, be provided. He has no other means of transportation. Therefore, we support very strongly, S. 2363 and its amendment No. 1006. In conclusion, the provision of adaptive equipment in the automobile is a fine thing but the Federal Energy Office, as you know, is considering, very seriously, the possibility of gas rationing. This morning, in the Washington Post, they suggested the date of June 3 as a possible date of implementing that plan. If this comes about, without some provisions made for the disabled veteran, all this adaptive equipment may do him very little good. If you are driving a large automobile with automatic transmission, air-conditioning and the other adaptive equipment, you are getting somewhere in the vicinity of 10 to 11 miles per gallon. The proposed action of FEO, would result in a 33 to 45 gallons a month. This just would not be enough. If I could refer you back to the Federal Register of February 10, 1942, they present a gas rationing order and in that order, they state very clearly that individuals with a disability should be provided an extra supplement of gasoline. I feel that the situation has not changed that much since 1942. We would like to request that this subcommittee submit a statement before the FEO requesting consideration Senator TALMADGE. Would you yield to that point, Mr. Maye? This committee has already written a letter to Mr. Simon and requested his earnest consideration of additional gasoline for disabled veterans. Mr. MAYE. Yes, sir. May I inquire if Mr. Simon has answered your letter, sir? Senator TALMADGE. We have not received a reply yet. Mr. MAYE. That is one of the problems that paralyzed veterans encounter, receiving a reply from the Energy Office. Senator TALMADGE. I may say that it applies to Senators, as well. Thank you very much for your testimony. I believe that Mr. Tate, who is my legislative assistant, called you for the late Tom Vail, who at that time was in the hospital. At that time, he was Chief Counsel for the Finance Committee. I think he was the most able public servant I ever knew. Mr. Vail thought he was going to survive his bout with cancer but he also thought he would be paralyzed for life. He was trying to adapt to what he felt would be his new circumstances. At his request, my staff asked you to go out and visit with him, which you did, and I want to express to you my deep personal appreciation. Mr. MAYE. Thank you, sir. We were doing just exactly what we were supposed to be doing. You chartered us to do this type of work and this is what we are out to do. Senator TALMADGE. Thank you very much. You heard the Veterans' Administration report that automobiles have not increased in cost since 1971, can you verify this or prove that? Mr. MAYE. Well, sir, I cannot give exact statistics to verify or disprove. I cannot possibly understand how automobiles could have been exempt from the general overall cost-of-living increases. Senator TALMADGE. Would you or your organization find out what a Chevrolet or a Ford cost in 1971 and what they cost now and submit it for the record? Mr. MAYE. Yes, sir, we shall. [Subsequently, the PVA submitted the following letter:] Hon. HERMAN E. TALMADGE, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC., U.S. Senate, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, DEAR SIR: With reference to your question on the cost increase of a standard size Chevrolet two door sedan from 1971 to date, our research with the General Motors Sales Division indicates that the price rise on the aforementioned vehicle has been $710,00. This does not agree with the findings of the Veterans' Administration when they state no price increase on the standard automobile. PVA hopes you will utilize this information in adjusting the amount of the auto grant. Yours respectfully, JAMES A. MAYE, Executive Director. Senator TALMADGE. You favor the automatic cost-of-living increase recommendation that the President has made? Mr. MAYE. Sir, we would favor it as a secondary action, if compensation cannot be increased, anticipating the cost-of-living increases over the next year, then as a secondary action, we would agree with the cost-of-living index being built into the law. Senator TALMADGE. You notice we had some disagreement between the Disabled American Veterans who oppose it and the American Legion who support it. Is the position of the Paralyzed Veterans one of support or opposition? Mr. MAYE. Sir, for the record, we could support it. Senator TALMADGE. Thank you, sir, I appreciate your very fine testimony. The next witness is the Blinded Veterans of America, represented by Mr. David L. Schnair, National Service Officer. We are very happy to have you back again with us, sir. STATEMENT OF DAVID L. SCHNAIR, NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER, BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION, ACCOMPANIED BY ROBERT D. CARTER, ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND DENNIS R. WYANT, NATIONAL FIELD SERVICE DIRECTOR Mr. SCHNAIR. Thank you, Senator Talmadge, for having us here again and, on behalf of the committee, we are always glad for the cooperation they extend to us. Senator TALMADGE. Thank you. Mr. SCHNAIR. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it is a very real privilege to appear before you today on behalf of the Blinded Veterans Association. I know the members of the BVA are grateful for this occasion where their views on certain pending bills can be expressed. For my part, I appreciate the opportunity to personally meet with you. Mr. Chairman, this is the first opportunity the Blinded Veterans Association has had to appear before the members of this distinguished committee since its inception. Thus, before turning to a discussion of our views on S. 3067, S. 3072, and S. 2363, I would like to provide a brief background on the BVA and its objectives. The BVA was founded in 1945 as a membership organization of veterans who lost their sight as a result of their service in the Armed Forces of the United States. It was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1947 and chartered by act of Congress in 1958. Our members include blinded veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korea conflict, the Vietnam era, and peacetime service. Fortunately, the number of living veterans with service-connected blindness is relatively small. However, the problems of the individual blinded veteran and his family in adjusting to blindness can be great. Therefore, the Blinded Veterans Association, since its inception, has concentrated its efforts on assuring the maintenance of high quality rehabilitation services by the Veterans' Administration and in motivating and assisting the blinded veteran to take advantage of these services. Our goal, in effect, is to assist each other to lead as normal a life as possible as productive citizens in our home communities. Our objective and these efforts have been significantly manifested during the past year with the reintroduction of an expanded BVA field service program which operates with funds made available under a contract negotiated with the Veterans' Administration in 1972. We indeed are grateful for the opportunity the Veterans' Administration funds provide for the BVA to demonstrate the effectiveness blinded veterans can achieve in assisting each other to become productive and useful citizens. Our field service program staff currently includes five blinded veterans: a national field service director supervising its activities from our national office and four field representatives. The latter travel throughout the United States seeking out blinded veterans to determine their needs, to acquaint them with available Federal, State, and local government, and other community resources, and to motivate them to take advantage of these services with the goal of becoming gainfully employed and dignified citizens. In our outreach efforts, the field service program staff also has been conducting an ongoing educational program at each Veterans' Admin |