Evening star., 1936-05-19

represented simply an honest differ
ence of opinion. The President be-
lieved that the condition of the Treas
ury did not justify the expenditures.
The Congress believed that this ex-
penditure, so widely diffused through
out the Nation, was likely to give
bigger impetus to recovery than any
of the New Deal expenditures. It
further believed in the justice of the
payment of just debt already many
years overdue. Once the bill had be-
come a law. President Roosevelt acted
with unparalleled vigor and prompt
ness to insure speedy payment to the
certificate holders. I believe that the
handling of this matter will establish
record both for promptness and
smoothness in such matters Let me
briefly describe the arrangements
which are being made.
Applications Arranged.
Any holder of an adjusted service
certificate may obtain from any of
the veterans organizations or from
the nearest ofIice of the Veterans
Administration or from the Washing
ton office of the administration, prop
er application blanks for the issuance
Of the new bonds. This application
may be sent either to the nearest
office of the administration or to
Washington. As soon as the data has
been checked by the administration
1t Is certified to the Treasury dis
bursting unit located in each of the
Federal Reserve cities, except Rich
mond, which Is served from Wash
ington. Bonds are then issued in
units of $50 each up to the nearest
$50 of the amount due the veteran
and check is drawn to his credit for
the odd amount due. The bonds and
check are then placed in an envelope
addressed to the veteran for whom
intended
All completed work will be turned
over to the postmasters about 10
days prior to June is to permit de-
livery to the veteran as promptly as
possible after that date. The de-
livery procedure requires that per-
sonal delivery must be effected and
a receipt obtained from the veteran.
This provision, Of course, is for the
veterans own protection. Where the
veteran is not at home when the post
man makes his round, he may obtain
his bonds by calling at the postal
station, identifying himself and sign
ing the required receipt. The Secre-
tary Of the Treasury will designate
the United States Treasury and Ger
tain post Offices as the points at which
payment Of the bonds will be made.
I urge every veteran who is in a
position to do so to keep his bonds as
the very best investment In the world.
But If it becomes necessary for him to
redeem his bonds he may present
himself to his local post office, estab-
lish his identity as the person whose
to be redeemed. and sign the request
for payment on the back thereof. The
local postmaster will, If the veteran
so desires, take charge Of the bonds
and transmit them without cost to
the veteran to designated paying
office where a check will be drawn for
the amount due and mailed to the
veteran at the address requested by
him in his application for payment.
The veteran may. at his own risk and
expense send his bonds to the Treas
ury Department In Washington for
payment, but in most instances it
will be more convenient for him to
have his local post office handle the
transaction.
Payment Through Post Ofices.
Two hundred and thirty-five post
offices have been designated as paying
offices, so located with regard to mail
facilities as to be able to render prompt
service to all veteran bond holders
within the continental limits Of the
United States. Fifty-nine of these
offices are central accounting post
ofnces and will redeem bonds forwarded
by postmasters in the area covered
by the office. The other 176 post Of
fees. embracing practically all of the
larger cities and towns. will redeem
bonds presented directly to their Of
fices. The Post Once Department
expects that bonds received at the
paying offices will be redeemed and
checks mailed to the veterans within
"A hours after receipt.
Certain officers Of the United States
Government will be authorized to wit
ness requests of the veterans for pay
ment and certify thereto. These will
include any postmaster or acting post
master or post ofiice inspector in
charge, or other post office employe