Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 52.djvu/1232

This page needs to be proofread.

52 STAT.] 75TH CONG. , 3D SESS.-CH. G92-JUNE 25, 1938 Veterans' Administration, a trust fund provided for in Public Law Numbered 473, Seventy-third Congress, section 20 (45), June 26, 1934 (U. S. C ., title 31, sec. 725s). In addition to the purposes for which the said fund may be used under the existing law, disbursements may be made therefrom as authorized by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs by regulation or otherwise for the purpose of satisfying any legal liability incurred by any employee in administering the provi- sions of this Act, including any expense incurred in connection there- with: Provided, That legal liability shall not exist when delivery or sale shall have been made in accordance with this Act. (d) If, notwithstanding such sale, a claim is filed with the Admin- istrator of Veterans' Affairs, within five years after notice of sale as herein required, by or on behalf of any person or persons who if known would have been entitled to the property under section 1 or to possession thereof under section 2 of this Act, the Administrator shall determine the person or persons entitled under the provisions of this Act and may pay to such person or persons so entitled the proceeds of sale of such property, less expenses. Such payment shall be made out of the said trust fund, and in accord with the provisions of section 1 or 2 of this Act: Provided,That persons under legal dis- ability to sue in their own name may make claim for the proceeds of sale of such property at any time within five years after termination of such legal disability. (e) Any such property, the sale of which is authorized under this Act and which remains unsold, may be used, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs. SEC. 3 . All persons having or bringing personal property on the premises of a Veterans' Administration facility shall be given reasonable notice of the provisions of this Act. In case of a mentally incompetent person, notice hereof shall be given the guardian or other person having custody or control of such person or, if none, to his nearest relative if known. The admission to or continued main- tenance in such facility after reasonable notice of the provisions of this Act shall constitute consent to the provisions hereof. The death of any person on any such facility or the leaving of property thereon shall be prima facie evidence of a valid agreement for the disposition of such property in accordance with the provisions of this Act. SEc. 4 . Any other unclaimed property found on the premises under the control of the Veterans' Administration shall be stored by the officer in charge of such premises and may be sold, used, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with regiulitions to be pro- mulgated by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs if the owner thereof fails to claim same within ninety days. If undisposed of the same may be reclaimed by the owner, his personal representative or next of kin, upon payment of reasonable storage charges to be prescribed by regulations. If sold, the net proceeds thereof shall be credited to said post fund to be expended as other assets of such fund: Provided, however, That the person who was entitled to such property, or his legal representative, or assignee, shall be paid the proceeds of sale thereof, less expenses if claim therefor be made within five years from the date of finding. If the owner shall have died intestate without creditors or next of kin surviving, such proceeds shall not be paid to his legal representative. SEc. 5 . Any unclaimed personal property as described in section 2 of this Act of veterans who have heretofore died or who may hereafter die while maintained as such in a national home for disabled volunteer soldiers, or a United States Veterans' Bureau hospital, or a Veterans' 1191 48 Stat. 1233 . 31 U. S.C. 725s. Use of fund to sat- isfy any legal liability. Proviso. Delivery, etc., a release. Claims filed within five years after notice of sale. Payment from trust fund. Proviso. Claims by persons under legal disability. Disposal of remain- ing property. Notice of provisions of Act to persons having or bringing personal property on premises. Disposition of un- claimed property. ieclaiming of prop- erty. Sale; disposition of funds. Proviso. Payment of pro- ceeds of sale to person entitled, etc. Condition. Disposition of de- cedent's unclaimed property.