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THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS CIVIL RELIEF ACT
The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act provides for the temporary
suspension during the war, and for six months after the official
termination,
of legal proceedings and transactions in which the rights of servicemen
may be prejudiced. It does not relieve anyone of' his legal
obligations
but merely postpones them when service impairs a mans ability to carry
out his contracts, Generally courts take a liberal view of
impairment of ability to pay. In most cases the provisions
of this act are effective until six months after discharge.
Court proceedings:
In case a serviceman has been involved in court proceedings, either as a plaintiff or
defendant, he may make application to a court for a stay not
to exceed his period of service plus three months. Showing must be
that his
service materially affected his ability to prosecute or defend himself.
Opening Judgments;
A judgment entered against serviceman during his period of service or
within thirty days after discharge may be opened with leave to servicemen
to defend if application is made within 90 days.
Statute of Limitations:
The period of serrvice is not counted in
computing period of limitations for any legal proceeding (except as to Internal Revenue Laws).
Interest Rates;
Any obligations made prior to period of service which calls for payment of more
than 6% interest will be reduced to 6% during any part of a period of
service which occurs from 6 Oct. 1942.
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Payment of Income Taxes:
Any state or federal income taxes falling due within period of service may
be deferred for up to six months after
discharge. (without interest). This refers only to time of payment and not
time of filing returns. It is not automatic; but rather must
be applied for to the tax collecting authority.
Courts are given very wide discretion in many other matters
not mentioned above.
An important point to remember is that application for relief must be made within
six months after discharge. Should you have any personal problems of this nature see
the Legal Assistance Officer at your next station.
"THANKS"
(An Editorial)
By T/Sgt. HOWE:
The War Department hit an interesting new low last week on this,
I am referring of course, to the discharge of Billy Conn
last week and Joe Louis
this week. No doubt the War harder on these two seasoned veterans than
it has on the many humble BAR men, riflemen, wire men, and any numbe4r of many another inconspicuous
Army profession who are still sweating it
out in Europe after amassing well over the required number of points under
actual combat conditions.
The great Conn has amassed 62 points, while Louis goes him a few better with 74.
Many
a man with a VE-Day score of 80 or over has nothing more than Gen'l. Marshals
promise that they wi11 go home by Christmas, while from the Pacific theater,
the men who were 3 years in Jap prison camps are only now beginning to reach home. Thu high pointers
from that area are mere trickles.
Here is one GI that will never contribute to a million dollar
gate in any Conn-Louis debate.
Statisticians claim the automobile has actually cut down the deaths from old
age in this country.
How's that? Prevents over-exertion, I suppose. "Fewer people live to reach old
age."
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