Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-08
AFFORDS PROTECTION FOR
 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
Brief Outline of Provisions of Propos-
 ed Relief Act.

The protection afforded soldiers and sailors by the Civil Relief Act recently passed by congress is outlined briefly by the Connecticut State Council of Defense in statement being sent to it's war bureaus e.hd town committees throughout the state. This has been done on recommendation of the coun- ciFs legal committee, of which Arthur r. Shipman of Hartford is now chair man, succeeding Lucius F. Robinson Of Hartfcrd, who was added to the membership of the council itself by appoiS<ment by Governor Marcus H. | Holcomnb.
 Local agencies of the council have
 been asked to distribute copies of the act and copies of statement outlin- l ing it's provisions prepared by Major l Wigmore of>khe staff of the judge ad- vocate general of the army. These copies are to be supplied to trial jus ktices and judges of city courts as well as legal members of the draft exemp- ton boards and members of the legal profess.on who are identified with the
 war bureaus and town committees The councils communication to it's l local agencies says: Plans should be developed and carried out for a local legal committee to care for the inter I families affected by the act"
 A brief outline of the provisions of the soldiers and sailors relief act as lpfepared by Major Wig1nore Is as fol- flows:
 "The Sailors and. Sailors Civil Re- lief Act, recently passed by congress, aims to protect soldiers and sailors from undue hardship due to their in- ability to bring or defend law suits
 and to attend to their business obli- gations of property rights. during their
 absence in military service.
 "A soldier Or sailor may owe money on a rote Or he may have bought
 or leased land or tools or furniture
 on which an installment is yet due Or he may have mortgaged his home and be liable to foreclosure for non- payment Or he may have statred & homestead or mining claim and be
 unable to continue the necessary oc-
 cupation in the required period oi
 time. Or he may have carried life in
 surance for several years and now be
 enatlc to keep up the premium pay. mcnts. Or he may have a money claim fga1nst some one and during
 his absence the lapse of time ma,
 raise q legal bar against suing for i when he returns. Or he may bi
 sued on some claim in his absence ant may be unaljle to defend the suit ef feciively while absent.
 '1n these and other ways he ma! : suffer undue hardship. The object O the act is to give relief from suci hardship.
 "The provisions of the act are toi numerous to set forth accurately here Enough to point out that it's mail
 principle is as follows:
 | 01A-T at car,aaoa 0s7 1oho1f If fI1i ) soldier or sailor, notify the court tha ) the party concerned is a soldier 0 ) sailor. Then the court will mak } prompt inquiries into the merits of tn } case; if the case merits it, the cour D has power to stay the other party iron = further proceedings, or to give othe 3 remedy that may be appropriate Tn I court may also appoint an attorney t I represent the soldier or sailor in tn !, lawsuit.
 "(2)-f lawsuit has been begu 1, already in some court against the sol a dier or sailor, go to that same cour
 and give the notice above mentioned |, l If no lawsuit has yet been begun. bu . some landlord or other person is pre- o pairing to sell out or to take possessio \, of property in which the soldier a 7 sailor is interested, go to the court i
 whose Jurisdiction the property is, no s tify the court as above. and ask tn I court to summon the other party. A
 such persons are forbidden by law t d take property in that way without frs
 applying to court for an order; bu
 some persons may attempt to talk ; possession without doing so, in ignor v ance of the new law.
 s "(3)--f the soldier or sailor had a :, insurance policy or fraternal benef " membership, before September 1, 191'
 and fears that he may not be able [ ', keep up his payments, he should writ II to the war risk insurance bureau 2 s Washington, and ask them for a forl of application Cor ask his post adju :, tant at the camp). The government, O
 certain conditions, will guarantee tf payment of the premiums 50 that tt
 policy or membership will not be fol le feited during the soldiers or sailor v absence; he will then have a year al
 ter his return in which to pay up ar
 save his policy or membership. Tn = relief does not apply to all policies IS memberships and details can not | .s given here; but on filling out the al ,e plication and sending it to the ws T. risk insurance bureau it will be du D. taken care of. it is the kind of insul ance that is protected by this act"