The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-29
VETERANS FAIL TO FILE BONUS
 APPLICATIONS
Failure Caused By Mems Laxity, Says Bureau
 Head
Copyright. 1824)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-The American ex-soldier, who clamored so loudly for bonus, is failing to cash in on the opportunity offered by the gov ernment, as had been expected. Less than half of those eligible to bonus of spot cash or an insurance policy have put in their claims, though they have had since July 1 to make application.
 What is the reason? Major General Robert c. Davis, bonus administrator, has been asked for his opinion.
 It apparently is not Il widespread wave of sentiment against accepting a bonus-only 45 men out of the 3, 70O,- 900 eligibles. have written ill to Gen eral Davis that they do not want it. Of these, 32 wrote just after the law was passed on their own initiative. The few other refusals were in answer to a recent query, widely published, made so that Davis would know how to lay out his future program.
 Reason Outlined
 These are some of the reasons given by Davis and his chief aide, Major John N. Smith, for the failure to act:
 1. Natural delay of the average man to take advantage of certain oppor- tunities, just a putting off from day to day.
 ,. Displeasure in some cases with an insurance bonus, instead of spot cash. Only those entitled to less than $50 get cash. In some instances, ex- soldiers are waiting to see whether a cash bonus will be passed.
 5. Ignorance that law has been passed.
 We have found that there are lots of veterans who didn't even know a bonus law has been passed Smith said, These are illiterates, which it was roughly estimated male up about 2O per cent"
 Veterans Displecsed
 A large number of veterans were dis pleased at the insurance bonus. Some Ot these, either out of disappointment or because they hope a cash bonus will be passed, have delayed making appli- cation.
 Davis attributes the failure of vete- rams to apply to normal negligence and delay
 "They know that the government will not begin to mail out insurance certi ficates until January l, and cash pay. ments will not begin until March. They have until January 1, 1923, to apply he said.
 To date approximately 1,637,000 ap. plications have been filed out of the 3,700,000 eligible. Of course. ,275, ,00O have been approved by the special bonus division under Davis charge, and sent to the Veterans Bureau, which will distribute cash and certificates.
 Applications Slump
 The special division, with 2.400 clerks, can handle 3O,OOO applications a day. A few weeks back there was a decided slump. On November 1, the division was "all clear" Two weeks ago, Davis sent out another appeal, and now about 10000 applications a day are being received.
 Davis does not regard the lack of applications as surprising, but thinks that it is rather remarkable how many have been filed.
 The bonus division covers practically block. Every application is checked are re-checked several times. Finger print experts. who required three months special taining, compare the prints on the application with those on file.
 Many veterans have sent in very in complete records. If they possibly can be verified as bona fide. they are ap- proved. More than 100000 have been returned because they were not signed