Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-15
FORM 526 ENOUGH TO STACCER
ANY AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL
Helping Ex-Service Men Make Out This Appli-
cation for Compensation But One of Many
Duties at Augusta Red Cross Rooms

Miss Jean e. Todd, in charge OF
the Augusta Chapter of the Amer
lean Red Cross, knows all about
Government Form 526.
She is probably the only person IN
Augusta who has a real appreciation
of what it means and what a job it is
to fill out this involved paper from
Uncle Sam. 1t is the blank that is
used by ex-service men in applying
for compensation. What they think
about compensation is generally
known, but the things they think
about this rather stupendous docu-
ment will probably never be known
unless Miss Todd should tell, and
she won't.
did you ever fill out a Govern
ment Form 1852" she asked of a
Journal reporter Wednesday. "There
are 40 questions on it, and some of
these have numerous subdivisions
and all have to be answered If the
ex- service man expects to get his
compensation. In the case of an I'M
married man, Form 526 has to be
sworn to and signed before a notary
public, then accompanied by certi-
fed copy of discharge and forwarded
to the Veterans Bureau. The mar
ried man, with children, must not
only sign the Form 526 himself, but
have it witnessed by two people.
also before notary public, and In
addition to the certified copy of his
discharge certificate must have GER
titled copies of marriage certificate
and birth records of his children. All
these papers must be prepared in
trfplicate and two sets forwarded to
the Veterans Bureau"
But looking after Form 526 Is just
one of the many things that mark
the eXacting duties performed by
Miss Todd for the ex-Service men
who apply at the Augusta chapter
rooms.
MANY people are asking what the
Red Cross is doing in Augusta" she
said. 1.-THE war work is known to
everyone, also that the signing of the
Armistice increased the work, for
Immediately when the more than 800
"boys" who went from this district
came home, there were innumerable
matters connected with their military
service which had to be adjusted, al
lotment and allowance; insurance;
travel pay; bonus and for the dis
abled man, compensation and voca-
tional training.
1.-THE Armistice was signed Novem-
Der II, 1918. In October 1928 five
years later, the Red Cross Courier,
official journal of the American Red
Cross. states as follows: The prim-
airy obligation of the American Red
Cross is to disabled ex-service men,
No peace time work may be under
taken by q Chapter or Branch. unless
the work for disabled soldiers and
sailors is being carried on satisfac-
torily.'
"During the past year $50 ex-ser-
vice men have visited the Augusta
Chapter office. more than 900 times
for information and advice regarding
compensation: for assistance in pre-
senting claims to the Veterans Blu
reau and in preparing affidavits in
support of their claims. for as 1t is
four or more years since the majority
were discharged, tho government re-
uuires some proof that the disabilities
claimed were contracted in or ag-
gravated by service. They have been
advised regarding reinstatement and
conversion of government insurance
and also with regard to vocational
training and the terms under which
it is granted. Nearly 1900 letters
have been written regarding claims
and in reply to letters of inquiry from
the Veterans Bureau and other Red
Cross Chapters.
During the year ending June 30th
1923. the total expenditures of the
Augusta Chapter We're SS746.42 which
includes Office rent, light, telephone
printing, Office supplies, financial
assistance to ex-service men and
salaries of executive secretary and
stenographer.
For the coming year, practically
the same amount will be required