Restriction of immigration has from every aspect proved a sound national policy.  Our pressing problem is to formulate a method by which the limited number of immigrants whom we do welcome shall be adapted to our national setting and our national needs.

I have been opposed to the basis of the quotas now in force and I have hoped that we could find some practical method to secure what I believe should be our real national objective; that is, fitness of the immigrant as to physique, character, training, and our need of service.  Perhaps some system of priorities within the quotas could produce these results and at the same time enable some hardships in the present system to be cleared up.  I recommend that the Congress should give the subject further study, in which the executive departments will gladly cooperate with the hope of discovering such method as will more fully secure our national necessities.  Veterans

It has been the policy of our Government almost from its inception to make provision for the men who have been disabled in defense of our country.  This policy should be maintained.  Originally it took the form of land grants and pensions.  This system continued until our entry into the World War.  The Congress at that time inaugurated a new plan of compensation, rehabilitation, hospitalization, medical care and treatment, and insurance, whereby benefits were awarded to those veterans and their immediate dependents whose disabilities were attributable to their war service.  The basic principle in this legislation is sound.

In a desire to eliminate all possibilities of injustice due to difficulties in establishing service connection of disabilities, these principles have been to some degree extended.  Veterans whose diseases or injuries have become apparent within a brief period after the war are now receiving compensation; insurance benefits have been liberalized.  Emergency officers are now receiving additional benefits.  The doors of the Government’s hospitals have been opened to all veterans, even though their diseases or injuries were not the result of their war service.  In addition adjusted service certificates have been issued to 3,433,300 veterans.  This in itself will mean an expenditure of nearly $3,500,000,000 before 1945, in addition to the $600,000,000 which we are now appropriating annually for our veterans’ relief.

The administration of all laws concerning the veterans and their dependents has been upon the basis of dealing generously, humanely, and justly.  While some inequalities have arisen, substantial and adequate care has been given and justice administered.  Further improvement in administration may require some amendment from time to time to the law, but care should be taken to see that such changes conform to the basic principles of the legislation.

I am convinced that we will gain in efficiency, economy, and more uniform administration and better definition of national policies if the Pension Bureau, the National Home for Volunteer Soldiers, and the Veterans’ Bureau are brought together under a single agency.  The total appropriations to these agencies now exceed $800,000,000 per annum.