VA Abolishes 'Instruction l-A' But Retains Strings on Course Changes

The Veterans Administration yesterday canceled completely its month-old "Instruction 1-A," which required veterans to give "complete justification" before being allowed to resume interrupted courses, transfer to new studies or institutions, or take post-graduate work.

At the same time, VA Administrator Carl Gray announced a new instruction, to the effect that if any vet intends to change from one general field of studies to another, he can continue to get GI Bill of Rights benefits only after the VA's advice and guidance service has determined the student's aptitude or need for the change.

Although no clarification of the new ruling was available last night, it will apply in the University only to students switching from one graduate school to another, John U. Monro '34, Counsellor for Veterans, predicts.

"This is what they should have done the first time," Monro said last night.

Postponed Under Fire

Dated September 1, "1-A" was to take effect September 12. But veterans and veterans counsellors, including Monro, heard nothing about it until the official announcement came September 15, throwing Monro's office into complete confusion during fall registration.

The VA blamed the incident on administrative delays.

Responding to concerted pressure by the American Council on Education (President Conant president) and the American Veterans Committee, led by the University's chapter, the VA announced September 26 that "Instruction 1-A" would be postponed until November 1.

In making the announcement of the sweeping policy change yesterday, Gray called on Congress to pass legislation to "prevent grave abuses" of GI education benefits.

He warned that unless the law is tightened up vets education may cost the country another $60,000,000,000 before the program ends, July 25, 1956.

He said he intends to see that the 15,000,000 World War II veterans receive every benefit to which they are entitled, an average of forty months apiece at an average of $100 a month.

But, he said, "it is my further responsibility not to give veterans any benefit specifically denied them by Congress."

After learning of the new VA move last night, the University chapter of the AVC went on record supporting Senate Bill 2596, proposed by Senator Taft (R-Ohio), which would require the VA to give benefits to all veterans in all courses (except in ballroom dancing, bartending, glider flying, and the like), in institutions founded before September 1944