Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 49 Part 1.djvu/2077

 2032 74i n C ONGRESS. SESS. II. CH. 867. JUNE 29, 1936. Filing of power of or the dependents of veterans for service rendered. The rules pre- attorney. scribed by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall contain a provision requiring in each claim the filing of a power of attorney in such manner and form as the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may prescribe. The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs is further authorized in his discretion, under such regulations as he may pre- scribe, to recognize any person for the purpose of a particular claim under the conditions and limitations of this section. Pro secu tion of SEC. 201 . The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs is hereby author- ve terans' claims. ized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to recognize agents and attorneys in the preparation, presentation, and pro secut ion o f cla ims u nder statu tes a dmini stere d by the V etera ns' Qualification s of A d mi n i st r a ti o n. The rules and regulations prescribed by the Admin- agents and attorneys. istrator of Veterans' Affai rs may require of such agents and attor- neys, before being recogniz ed as representatives of claimants, that they shall show that they are of good moral character and in good repute, possessed of the ne cessary qualifications to enable them to render such claimants valuable service, and otherwise competent to advis e and assi st su ch cl aiman ts in the prese ntati on of clai ms, sus pens ion, etc. and the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend or exclude from further practice before the Veterans' Administration any such agent or attorney shown to be, or to have bee n, engaged in unlawful, unprofessional, or disho nest pract ice, or gu ilty of di srepu table cond uct o r who is incompetent, or who has vio lated or refused to comply with the laws administered by the Veterans' Administration, or with the laws, regulations, or instructions governing practice before the Veterans' Administration, or who shall in any manner deceive, mislead, or threaten any claimant or prospective claimant by word, circular, F ees on allowed letter, or advertisement. The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs claims. is further authorized to determine and pay fees in allowed claims , fo r mon etary bene fits under stat utes admin ister ed by the Veter ans' Administration to agents and attorneys recognized as provided in this title and to prescribe rules and regulations governing entitle- ment to and the amount and mode of payment of such fees : Pro- Pr o»is o vided That payment of such fees shall not exceed $10 in any one Limitation . claim and in all cases fees shall be deducted from the amont of monetary benef its allowed. Pen alties for il legal SEC. 20 2 . Any person who shal l, directly or indirectly, solicit, fees and practices. contract for, charge, or receive, or who shall attempt to solicit, con- tract for, charge, or receive any fee or compensation except as provided in section 201, or who shall wrongfully withhold from a beneficiary or claimant the whole or any part of the benefit or claim allowed and due a beneficiary or claimant shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall for every offense be fined not exceeding $500 or imprisoned at hard labor not exceeding two years, or both, in the discre tion of th e court. Existing provisions SEC. 203. This title shall not affect that part of section 500, World not affected. Vol. 43, pp. 628, 1311 . War Veterans' Act, 1924, as amended (43 Stat . 628 ; 43 Stat. 1311 ; U.S. C.,p. 1677. U. S. C., 1934 ed ., title 38 sec . 551), insofar as it pertains to fees and penalties for receipt of illegal fees or compensation for services V ol. 43, p . 125; Vol. in insurance suits, section 309, World War Adjusted Compensation 44, p.828. u.S.c.,p. 1682. Act, 1924, as amended (43 Stat. 125; 44 Stat. 828; U. S. C., 1934 ed ., title 38, sec . 619), pertaining to unlawful fees, which section is Ante, p. 1099. hereby made applicable to claims for benefits under Public Law Numbered 425, Seventy-fourth Congress, enacted January 27, 1936 ; that part of the Act entitled "An Act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, and for other