Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-11
BILLS TO INSURE vi
ARE
Proposed Legislation Framed to Follow Plans Already
Announced in General Outline-Would Make 1t Com
pulsory for Men to Allot Part of Pay to Dependents.
IBy Associated Press.I

."
WASHINGTON. August 10.-Author-
ity TO make effective the governments
program Of insurins the armed forces
OF the nation was sought OF Congress
to-day in bills introduced in both
houses by Senator Simmons and Rep
rescntative Alexander.
The proposed legislation was framed
to follow plans already in
general outline. and would provide In
surance at minimum cost for American
soldiers. sailors and marines. the in
surcd men paying the premiums: family
to dependents OF men in the
nations military or naval service: in
Identification for disabilities. and tho
re-education and rehabilitation. at GOV
ornment expense, OF injured men.
y feature. not previously
would make it compulsory for officers
and men TO allot II minimum Of SIS a
month out Of their pay to dependent
wives n children. The maximum
compulsory allotment is half pay.
These allotments would be supplement-
ed by family allowances. to be made
by the government. of from IS to $50
II month. according to the circum-
stances and numbcr OF dependents.
WOULD COMPEL MEN
TO DEPOSIT PART OF PAY
To thrift and better to
preserve equality and democracy among
the members of our own forces and
between them and the allies authority
is sought to permit the war and Navy
Departments to compel men who do not
allot one-half their pay. to deposit so
much of their half pay as is not al
l"tted. with the government At 4 per
cent interest, compounded semian-
nually.
Liberal indemnities for partial and
total disability arc included in the pro-
gram. varying from $40 to SIS per
month minimum up to $500 a month
for higher officers. Insurance would
be written by the government on the
ives of the mon at a rate of approxi-
matcly IS per 1000 in sums from $1,000
to $4,000. the premiums payable in
'hstallmeuts.
The cost to the government, rs csti-
mated by Secretary McAdoo would ap-
proXinlate the following:
Family allowancc-First year, sl4l,-
600, 900: second year. $50. 600, 900.
Death NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. year. S3.-
100000: second year, 100000 700.
Compensations, total dise bilitv-First
year. s~5.250.Ooo; second year. s35. 600. 900.
Compensation. partial disahi 'ty--
First year. $4,000. oo0; second year.
s2l .000. 900.
Insurance against death and disa-
hility-First year. 323.o 600. 900; second
year. s~ll2.5o0,o0o.
Total-First year, @l76.l5o.ooc: second
year, $3.50. 0 1000.
TOTAL FoH w YEARS
PLACED AT $3.50, ESQ., 600
The total for the two wears is thus
placed at s656. $50 900 which MIR NC.
Adoo estimates at less thar 6 per cent
of the cost to the country OF conduct
ing the war.
In its general features the bill was
approved by the advisory committee Of
insurance representatives summoned by
Secretary NcAdoo to Washington on
July ..
The bill does not attempt to cover
the mdhods to be pursued in re.edu-
eating the rehabilitating insured men.
Two principles. however, are recoe-
nized: The mans obligation to avail
himself of such opportunities as the
government may provide under penalty
OF loss of compensation during ANY
period OF unreasonable REFUSAL" and a
mans right to disability compensation
regardless OF his individual economic
recuperation.
Assume that a man were totally dis
ahled by losing both legs and both
arms In battle" Mr.. McAdoo wrote the
president by way OF Illustration. in a
letter made public with the introduc-
tion OF the bill. under the compensa-
ton provisions of this bill. II he were
a private and unmarried he would re-
ceirc $40 per month. and II, as most
probable. he needed i nurse or attend