South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-18
CONSUL
FOR SOLDIERS
u. S. Issues New Order Warn
ing Agents Who Would
Charge For Advice.


An amendment 20 the sims oil!
in reference TO services of attorneys
and claim agents in connection with
the War Risk insurance law. as ap-
proved by the president May 20. has
made necessary the publication Of
important instructions TO civilian re-
lief committees Of the American Red
Cross. Il provides that payment 10
an attorney or agent for such assist
ance as may be required in the
preparation and execution of neces-
sary papers relative to a soldiers
insurance shall not exceed SO in any
case. IL also facilitates all work IN
connection with claims and questions
thereto 10y providing for consul from
the Office OF the auditor OF the war
department and advice from d legal
committee. gratis. in every city and
town
Where soldiers find il necessary
10 seek consul regarding their in
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Gates stationed at the various camps
will aid them. free of charge.
The provisions Of the late order
signed by James L. Fieser director
of the Lakes division Of the Red
Cross Civilian Relief. and approved
by James r. Garfield. continue, as
follows
Ruling Under Sims Bill
NO claim agents or attorney shall
be recognized i'm the presentation or
adjudication of claims under Article
II. providing for allotments and gov
eminent allowances from enlisted
men 10 their dependents: or Article
III. relating 10 compensation for
disa bility or death.
This same prohibition. against
the recognition of claim agents or
attorneys in the presentation or adj
judication of claims. is provided for
as 70 Article ". insurance. except
that in the event of disagreement as
70 a claim under the contract Of in
surance between the bureau and any
beneficiary it is provided that an ac-
ton on the claim may be brought in
Z a
is rendered, the court as part of its
judgment shall determine and allow
such reasonable attorneys fees. not
TO exceed five per centum of the
amount recovered. TO be paid by the
claimant i'm behalf of whom such
proceedings were instituted 10 his
attorney
The amendment provides for a
fine of not more than $500 or for an
imprisonment at hard labor for not
more than two years or both for any
person who shall directly or indi-
rectly solicit, contract for. charge or
receive. or who shall attempt 10 So
licit, contract for. charge or receive
any fee or compensation. except as
herein provided.
IF the matter involves legal diff
ficulties at the mans home, as for
instance. the foreclosure Of a mort
gage or some litigation. the man
should communicate the facts 10 the
/ associate field director in charge Of
home service at the camp. The case
will then he referred to the home
service section at the mans home.
which will i'm turn refer it 10 the
appropriate legal committee or law
yer according 10 whatever plan has
been worked out for rendering free
legal service in cooperation with the
home service section.
I'm occasional instances where
legal advice must be rendered by a
/ lawyer at the camp. as for example.
when legal papers have been sent
/ the man 10 sign and il is impractic-
able 70 refer them TO d lawyer at
I his home. the division and camp
judge advocate will very gladly assist
enlisted men by giving them such
I legal advice as is necessary in pre-
/ pairing their business and family af-
7 fairs for their absence in the service.
You are informed that applica-
I tons for arrears OF pay are received
and settled by the auditor for the
war department II II not neces-
sary for claimants 20 employ attor-
neys in the prosecution Of claims for
pay and allowances on account OF q
/ soldiers service That office (audi-
/ tor for the war department. Will
/ furnish proper blanks 10 soldiers or
their legal heirs on which 10 make
claim. and advise them as TO the
nature of the evidence required.
IL may be added that similar APP
plications for arrears OF pay in con-
nection with services of sailors and
marines are received and settled 10y
the auditor for the navy department
and in these cases also the employ
ment of attorneys is unnecessary. as
the auditor furnishes blank forms of
such applications 20 relatives Of de-
ceased sailors and marines"