Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1948-04-23
VA Employees Dismissed

investigation into why Veterans
administration is forced to fire ap-
proximately $500 employees at a
time when its work load is at it's
peak and dismissal may result in
dlSService to veterans has led to
information indicating that VA Off
Gals were forced to promise the
house appropriations committee not
to ask for deficiency appropriation
if they ran out of funds before end
of fiscal 1913.
According to information from
governmental sources, President
Truman has taken a hand in the
matter and it may be that VA will
file a request for a deficiency ap-
preparation despite any promise
"Wrung from them" by Chairman
Taber or any other member of the
house appropriations committee.
In the meantime, as has been
pointed out in this column, plans
have been made to keep the prom
Use" by firing enough employees to
get under the budget ceiling. 1t is
said that the American Legion and
other service organizations also are
taking a hand in the matter to pre-
vent curtailment of any services to
veterans.
Questions and Answers
@. Our son was a World War II
veteran and he died recently as a
raSyIIf IF ~
was in the service. A lodge to which
he belonged bore expenses of the
funeral. We understand that Veter-
ans administration also allows bur-
ial expenses. Are we eligible to ap-
ply for this expense?-Mr. and Mrs,
F. F. T.. saltwater, Okla.
A. Veterans administration will
assume cost of burial, funeral and
transportation in an amount not to
exceed $3.50 only if a veteran dies
while hospitalized under authority
of Veterans administration. If your
son died in a VA hospital or other
VA domicile and total expense of
funeral was paid by another
agency, claim against VA would be
a4Soiio"Na. IL, llo"eNGl, TOTAL ex-
pense is larger than the amount
received VA would pay the differ
ence between actual cost and the
amount received, not to exceed $3.50.
@. am a veteran of World WarI.
am past 60 years old and in very
poor health. l have ulcers of the
stomach and heart trouble. 1 will
have to stay in bed for some time.
Could l get total and permanent
non service connected disa bility
pension and if SO, how would l go
about getting it and where would
apply?-B. S. H., East Dubuque, Ill.
A. You likely would have little
trouble getting your disability pen
sion. Whether it would be a total
and permanent disability would de-
pend upon the rating given you
after examination by VA physi-
clans. Suggest that you apply to
your nearest Veterans administra-
ton office for a disability rating.
Your local American Legion or
other veterans organization post
will help you in making your appli-
catiCn.
@. Can you tell me whether vet
Grams of World War 1 or widows or
children of veterans of World War
ii are entitled to leans under the
Gil. bill?-Mrs. G. G. W., Harpers
Ferry. w. Va.
A. No, only veterans of World War
II are eligible for loans under the
GIL. bill of rights. However, widows
and children of World War II vet
Grams may continue the loan after
the veterans death.
@. Does sister whose brother is
dead but left will in her favor
have to divide the Illinois state bo-
nus with the other brothers and sis
ters?-G. c., Springfield, Ill.
A. You will have to share the
bonus with all the surviving broth
! erS and sisters of the deceased vet
eran, provided your mother and ia
Their are deceased. If they are living
the mother is entitled to the state
! bonus; after her, the father is the
next beneficiary.
q. l have a claim pending with
Veterans administration. Will 1
have to pay lawyer to help me to
get my compensation?-H. b. F.,
Joliet, Ill.
A. Veterans are not required to
pay attorneys or agents for repre-
sentlng them in monetary claims
against Veterans administration.
@. am World War l widow,
My husband died two months ago
and l want to know if l can get a
pension. We have been married l6
years and were separated for a
short time. The separation was all
my fault but we never did get a
divorce and we were back together
in short time and l was his legal
wife at the time of his death. Will
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