Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-20
LAWYERS To
GUARD CLAIM
!. OF SOLDIERS
to be Taken to Frus.
trate Efforts Of I'm
scrupulous Agents

1t appears that INSCRIPTIONS claim
Iagents and. pension agents are notify
ing bcnehciaries under the war risk
insurance act that they must employ
counsel in OrdCr to be sure of obtain
ing payments fkom the government.
and in many instances benefciaries
have been induced to part with sub
stantial sums of money TO such agents
In return for the promise of a service
which WILL in all probability, be UNI
necessary.
This fact has induced Secretary OF
the Treasury William A. McAdoo and
Secretary of the Navy %Josephus
Daniels to suggest toy John Lowell.
chairman of the special committee
for war service Of the American Bar
association. that an opportunity for
patriotic service presents itself to
lawyers throughout the country.
States Attorney Theo. Is. Elton in
this city. who is chairman of the legal
advisory board for Grand Forks
county, has received a letter from Mr..
Lowell. containing the following sug-
gestions:
Local Aid Desired.
I'VE suggest as a first step that YOU
again call upon YOU associates for
cooperation In order that the work
may OS utolt O0ISu III i1duc dis ISIIl
as possible for each individual. Next,
that you enlist such forms of publicity
as are at your disposal so that no
beneficiary in your community in need
of assistance will have excuse to seek
1t outside of our ranks. Thirdly.
that you proceed to aid g~ratuitously
all beneficiaries unable without as
sistance to prepare their claims. and
that you continue such g%ratuitous
service until circumstances no longer
require it. Lastly, that o send to
the American Bar association, 1712
Eye street. N. w, Washington. the
name of every claim agent, pension
attorney or other person known by
you to be violating the spirit of the
war risk insurance act in the manner
above described"
In accordance with these sugges-
tons. Mr.. Elton today sent a letter
to all attorneys in Grand Forks
county. calling upon them for their
cooperation. i
The letter reads, in part, as follows:
Z. S. Protection Valid.
Under the soldiers and sailors
civil relief act protection is afforded
to men in the service and their fami-
lies in connection with litigation in
all courts Of competent Jurisdiction of
the United States or of any state in
connection with actions for eviction
from premises occupied for dwelling
purposes. installment contracts, mort
cages, insurance, tax sales for unpaid
taxes upon rea property owned and
occupied for dwelling or business
purposes. etc. In such cases as may
arise under this act. the work entailed
will not be burdensome and it is to be
hoped that the lawyers of this county
will respond to any requests that may
come and be glad to render gratuitous
service in connection Herewith.
o a former occasion the lawyers
of Grand Forks county responded
splendidly in furnishing legal advice
to registrants. but our duty does not
stop there. These reEistrants are now
many of them in the military service
OF the nation. with others rapidly en-
tering. and we, as representatives of
the legal profession: owe it to them
and to our country to sec that their
interests at home, and the interests of
their families. are properly protected.
We. as citizens, are doing little enough
in a patriotic way during this great
world crisis. Let US. as lawyers, dis
play a true patriotism in crashing
every opportunity to render service to
the nation by rendering loyal service
to the men who are facing the fire of
battle for us. 9 =
II shall be glad to hear from you
to the effect that you will cheerfully
respond to the appeal which has been
made as above outlined.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) "Theo. 8. Elton,
Chairman legal advisory board.'
INV Y3hsrfv Hora