The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1921-12-15
CLAIMANTS MUST SUPPLY DATA
Must Be Properly Exc
cuted and Filed

One of the outstanding features OF
the late cleanup drive" conducted
by the U. S. Veterans bureau, during
which time approximately 5000 per-
sons were interviewed in the tenth
district, has been the laxity on the
part of some of the claimants inter-
viewed in supplying essential infor-
nation required in the adjustment Of
their claims. It is, therefore, deemed
expedient that claimants should be
advised, through accurate publicity,
to supply the necessary additional in
formation requested on their cases,
so that the same may be finally ad-
justed.
An application for compensation or
vocational training must be properly
executed and filed before the bureau
is authorized to consider the claim.
By properly executing the application
is meant that the claimant must an
swer the questions asked, must sign
his name, and have the same acknowl-
edged before someone authorized to
take Acknowledgements, and in addi-
tion to this must have the signatures
of two persons who are acquainted
with the claimant as witnesses.
The second, and a most important
feature, is that the claimant must SUBJ
nit an honorable discharge from the
United States military or naval forces
or certified copy thereof. The GER
tification should be made by an Of
fetal empowered to acknowledge
oaths. It is of the utmost Importance
that a claimant, in order to receive
consideration, be able to trace his al
legged disability to the service, or at
least that he prove that his condition
was aggravated because of his having
been in the service. 1t therefore fol-
lows that in very large number of
cases a connection with the service
must be proved by affidavits of those
Ewho were associated with the claimant
while he was in the service, or by
those who knew of his physical condi-
ton previous to his entrance into the
service, during the time. he was in the
service, and after his discharge from
the service. Affidavits of former COM
panions in the service are very de-
sirable, but if it is impossible to OBJ
tain these, other affidavits will be
deemed sufficient if they cover a per-
iod of time between the date of the
claimants discharge and the COM
mencing of the alleged disability suf-
ficient to show a connection with the
service. It is of the greatest import
ance that these affidavits be furnished
upon request and that the claimant
comply with all requests made by the
bureau.
A great deal of criticism has beer
made of the alleged dilatory actions
of the government in adjudicatine
some of the claims that have beer
filed. Investigation Of these complaints
has shown in vast majority Of cases
that the particular case under discus
sion has been delayed because Of the
failure of the claimant to supply es'
sential data which has been requested
It is recognized by the bureau that
in certain number Of cases wherein
the claimant has been requested tt
furnish information, the request is moi
fully understood. In q case of thi.
character, it is advisable for the claim
ant to communicate with the nearest
Office of the veterans bureau or will
the Red Cross, where matters will b,
explained to him and the proper pa
pers executed.
The veterans bureau is making {
4 afrnn,,nua offnrt to crof in cnntact vitI
every former service person who may
have a claim for compensation or vo
cational training, and is asking th'
full cooperation Of all interested t,
the end that the benefits allowed un
der the law may be taken full advan
tage Of. y
F..C. Martin Of Hope, N. D., was ,
business caller in Oakes Monday.