The Pittsburgh Press (March 28, 1944)
Recess may delay G.I. Bill
Washington (UP) –
House leaders held only slim hope today that the Senate-approved “G.I. Bill of Rights” would reach the House floor before the Eastern Congressional holiday beginning Thursday.
The measure, a veterans’ omnibus bill which provides total benefits unofficially estimated at $4 billion, is now the subject of hearings before the House World War Veterans Legislation Committee. Representatives of veterans’ groups testified today.
Brig, Gen. Frank T. Hines, director of the Veterans Administration, endorsed the measure yesterday with one major exception recommending elimination of a $500-million veterans’ hospital construction item.
He predicted a peak hospitalization of 288,000 veterans in 1970. He estimated that 120,000 veterans would be hospitalized by 1950.