George Sutherland

“ It is evident that, when a certificate is presented to the Director by one claiming to be the beneficiary, that officer must, as a necessary prerequisite to the payment, ascertain and determine that the veteran is dead, that the person claiming payment is in fact the beneficiary, and any other matter of fact or law which may affect the right of the claimant in any given case. ”

“ Williams v. U.S., 23 F. (2d) 792. We do not find it necessary to determine whether this view or that of the District Court is correct, but dispose of the case upon a ground urged here by the government, but apparently, it is fair to say, not suggested to either court below. ”