Lubbock Avalanche-Journal from Lubbock, Texas • Page 3

VA Office Here Processes Payments Of More Than $15,000,000 To Veterans In A 79-County Section Reflecting a steadily Increasing need for service, and an organization geared to meet these needs with constantly decreasing delays, the regional office of the Veterans administration here had, at the close of business Friday, end of Its first nine months of operation, prosessed payment of more than 515,000,000 in veterans benefits in the 79-county region. This is revealed in a report on operations released yesterday by Robert W. Sisson, regional manager, who feels "it is only natural that West Texas should desire for her veterans the best in service from the Veterans administration, and a business-liltc management of that government agency." The 79-county territory served extends from the Panhandle border tn the Rio Grande, and from Abilene on the cast to El Paso. Some Not Included Total o'f $15,000,000 noes not, however-, include payments to veterans' widows and nor unemployment readjustment allowances, the report showed. The office opened last June 1, and during nine months has paid veterans of the area nearly 57.000,000 for educational and training subsistence alone.

Subsidence payroll for Jnnuarv was 51.158.489, compared with B47 June. In the region there are about J35.000 veterans, including war 1 vets. Records reveal that about one of five war II veterans are availing themselves of education or work trnininc through VA circles. Many Take Training As of Feb. 35 there were veterans, of whom 1,541 were disabled, taking some sort of training.

Of these. 10,230 were attending educational institutions, nnc 6,330 were in pn-the-job training ViTicn the regional office opcnoc here only 3,400 veterans were taking advantage ol the GI program but since that time more than 34,000 have applied for educationa benefits. More than has been paid to colleges and other educational institutions in this area for veterans' tuition, books and fees during the nine months. Disability compensation claims have been nearly six times as much as the educational benefits A total of 55,910,727 has been paid on these claims, and this $4,753,020 went to war II veter- At present there are 16,438 reterans receiving disability compensation from the office here, and cf these 14,183 are war II vets. Clalmi Are Doubled Compensation claims have more than doubled since the office was activated, while the backlog of claims hai been cut in half.

For txample, during the first month operation i total of 1,800 com- Blood Men and Women Look and Feel Older THAN THEIR YEARS How do you feet it the end of a It that old time pep and drtre lacklnr? you cnecked-up on jrour blood Btrenffth Thoiuumdj now ing glowing rood looks vltnmy tarouph the release of vibrant energy to every muacle. nbre. cell. Errry of tiny rpd-biood-celln munt pour forth from the marrow of your bonen to repines those that nrj worn-out. A low blnod count Mlcct you In unveriU no appetite, undcrwelcht, no energy, fc cenernl run-down condition, lack oj resistance to Infection and dlses.se.

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Texas Avc al St. pensation claims were pending adjudication, while at present the 800 pending cases represent a wait by the veteran of approximately six weeks, most o' which is consumed in securing medical data from the Navy or-War departments, As GIs with service-connected disabilities are discharged from Army and Navy hospitals, the number of compensation claims continues to increase. Claims are flowing into the office here at the rate of 450 to 500 a month. Additional benefits amounting to approximately $152,000 have gone to veterans in the form of automobiles under Public law 663. A total of 95 war II veterans who have lost a leg, or use of a have been approved for this.

Loans Alto Increase The loan guaranty program also nns shown a marked increase. The office here has guaranteed payment of nearly $8,000,000 in loans to veterans, and this represent? the portion actually guaranteed, which is 50 per cent of loans. Maximum of the guarantee is real estate and $2,000 on business loans. Receiving these loan guarantees are 3,952 veterans, including 2,948 who have bought homes, amounting to a guarantee of The office has underwritten loans for 224 farms and 300 business ventures. Reflecting the increasing tempo of this department, records show that during February the office underwrote representing 451 loans, while during the department's first month of opera- ton 394 loans for $933,199 were underwritten.

Certificates oT eligibility for loans have been issued to 4,512 veterans. The medical division, which officials admit represents one of the greatest responsibilities of the VA, is no exception to the increasing tempo of service needs. Demands for medical care have tripled. Thousands Treated Since the office opened 4,502 veterans have received out-patient treatment from VA physicians and private physicians employed by the VA on a fee basis, and 11,122 veterans have received examinations for admission to VA hospitals and for disability compensation purposes. The report explained that VA hospitals are a separate phase of administration and their operations are not included in regional office activities.

Handling of mall is no smal! task at the office either, for perhaps more mail is received' there than at any other institution in West Texas. In the nine months, more than million pieces of correspondence have been handled. The load has jumped from 18,000 pieces in June, opening month, to 190,000 in February. Contact offices, through which most veterans deal with the office, and through which -they are advised of rights and benefits and I assisted in every way possible, are 1 located at Borger, Amarillo, Childress, Lubbock, Abilene, San An- gclo, Big Spring, Odessa, Pecos, and El Paso. Until the past week when it was ordered curtailed by national headquarters, itinerant service was maintained from these contact offices, 1'eaching every county in the region.

Contact offices are staffed with from one to three representatives. "Service to West Texas veterans is not perfect by any means," Sisson's report concluded, "but the VA has come a long way. It still strives for improvement, and so long as there is a veteran in this region who is not receiving benefits to which he is entitled, we will not feel that we are doing an excellent job." Naval Reserve Unit For Lubbock Studied Surveying the possibilities of establishment of a Naval Reserve unit in Lubbock, which will call lor regular weekly drill and instruction nights in a Navy armory, Capt. E.JCerr of New Orleans will be in Lubbock until Monday. Capt.

Kerr said Saturday that reserve units have been designated at Amnrillo, San'Angelo and Wich- jtii Falls and it enoifgh support), is evidenced here, Lubbock stands a good chnnce of getting a unit. A minimum of ten officers and 200 men of various ranks and ratings is needed for the establishment of a unit, enough personnel to augment and bring up to wartime strength the operation of a ship in case of. emergency. Naval Reservists are not subject to call to active duty except in an emergency; can take an annual two-weeks cruise with base pay and allowances and receive base pny and allowances for each weekly drill, or instructions night. Should a unit be located here, an armory would be built for regular meeting place.

It would also serve as a clubroom for reservists. Anyone interested should contact the local Navy recruiting office or write the District Director, Naval Reserve, Headquarters Eighth Naval district, New Orleans. The stepped pyramid of Zoser, built about 2940 B. C. by the architect Imhotep in Egypt, is the oldest surviving building of stone masonry in the world.

LOCAL MAN'S The picture above shows the center-vision garden tractor, perfected here by Herschel Hatchings. Picture to the right shows a view of. the tractor the driver's seat which gives a clear of operations of the machine. New Kind Tractor Perfected; Contracts Sought A new kind of small tractor which allows the operator a clear view of working parts ol the machinery in planting or cultivating, has been perfected here by Herschel Hutchings, who is now negotiating for manufacturing contracts on the equipment. The machine, called by its maker the center-vision riding garden tractor, is designed for truck farming or other small-acreage needs.

A demonstration model has been built by W. M. Wallace at. the Lubbock Manufacturing and Implement company, 2701 Avenue 1 and is. on display there, Hutchings snid.

The machine is 80-inch wheel bnse, and 36-inch tread, and overall length is about nine fact. Two guide wheels in front are, con trolled by lever steering apparatus. Front tires are 4:00 by 12. Tires on power wheels in the rear 7:00 24. Power unit is a one-cylinder, five h.p.

air-cooled gasoline motor, but larger motor can be installed, Hutchings said: The steel tie frame leaves the area between the driver's seat on the rear and the front wheel assembly open to vision the driver's seat. Plows or planting can be interchanged by removal of about four bolts. This can be' changed in five minutes time. A transmission provides for three speeds forward, and reverse. Wheels can be controlled by individual brakes, allowing short turns.

Hutchings said the machine is patented, and that he is negotiating now with possible manufacturing connections. Son Is Born To Actress Hedy Umarr In Hollywood HospHal HOLLYWOOD, March 1 Actress Hedy Lamarr today came the mother of a baby boy delivered by caesarcan section. Drs. John Vruwink and D. E.

Mitchelson performed the operation at Good Samaritan hospital. The boy, weighing seven pounds, 15 ounces, was 'named Anthony John. Miss Lamarr and her husband, Actor John Loder, have two other children, an adopted son, Jamsie, 8, and a daughter, Denise, 2. Lpder has a daughter by a former marriage, Danielle, 8. TO NAME TRUSTEES ABERNATHY, March 1, (Spt of the Abernathy Jonsoiidated County Line independent school district are to choose two trustees in an election I to be held April 5, it was by M.

L. Seay, school business manager. Lubbock, (Texas), Avalanche-Journal, Sunday, March 1947, Page 3 FOR BROADVIEW CLUB Broadview 'Sewing club met in the home of Mrs. Roy Mason Thursday. 'A short business meeting was conducted and a program was given by club members.

The next meeting will be conducted March 12 at the home of Mrs. Charles Young. The United Slates is the second largest producer of rice in the world. SANDERS GO. PRESENTS FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE In LOUISE MASSEY WESTERNERS a.

YO EVERY DAY EXCEPT SUNDAY 12:45 p. m. SPONSORED BY SANDERS CO Very recently, extended insurance coverage lias been offered to the public which, in some cases, cffcclcd reductions in rates. Why not make an appointment with us to go over your existing policies? Perhaps we can save you money. MAISENS INSURANCE LOANS REAL ESTATE OFF ON ONE GROUP LIVING ROOM SUITES est value car price Held QUALITY FEATURES HIGH-PRICED CARS LOW-PRICED PLYMOUTH LOW-PRICED CAR LOW-PRICED CAR 21 20 9 8 STUDIO COUCHES In Tapestry, Blues, Beige and Burcandy.

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So no other car at any price can give you the Top Value found in Plymouth. Even some high-priced cars don't have the basic advances exclusive with Plymouth in the low-priced field. Safety- Rim Wheels, for instance. They're unequaled protection in case of tire failure. Safe-Guard Hydraulic Brakes, another example, combine light-touch action with a third, more braking power.

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