The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-08-27
NsURING OUR FIGHTING MEN.

The plan of Secretary of theTreas-
ury McAdoo for life and indemnity
insurance for the soldiers and sailors
of the United States, after discussions
by representative insurance men and
report on by advisory committees,
has been put in definite form and
submitted to President Wilson.
The presidents comment was as
follows:
II have examined the enclosed pa
pers very carefully and take pleasure
in returning them with my entire
approval"
bill has been Introduced in con-
gress along the lines suggested by
the secretary of the treasury and APP
proved by the president.
In essentials 1t is proposed that the
government furnish at cost to the
soldiers and sailors of the United
States life and indemnity insurance.
The main features of the secre-
tary's plan are that the government
shall bear all the cost of the admin
istration of the insurance plan and
that no expense Of any kind shall be
a charge on the funds created by the
payment of premiums by the soldiers
and sailors. Relieved of overhead
charges, So year for every $1,000
insurance will be an adequate charge,
under the plan, and this figure will
put the maximum insurance of $780,
900 within the reach of practically
every soldier or sailor. Insurance in
private companies would cost many
times this sum for men actually en-
gagged I'M warfare.
After the war the insurance may be
converted into other forms. The in
surance is to be payable in INSTALL
ments, is non-assignable and free
from the claims of creditors of the
insured or of the beneficiary, and is
limited to the wife, children and 9th
er specified kindred.
II total disability results or disease
is contracted in the course Of service,
the compensation is to be based on
percentage of pay, with a minimum,
however, of from $40 to SIS a month
according to the size of the family.
Partial disabilities are to be comput-
ed on a basis of percentages of total
disability.
Medical, surgical and hospital
treatments, supplies and appliances
are to be given. Rehabilitation and
re-education of the injured soldiers
or sailor, fitting them for lives of ac-
tivity and usefulness, is part of the
plan.
The plan also contemplates free al
lowances to the families of soldiers
and sailors, the government supple
menting the sums set aside by the
soldiers and sailors out of their
wages.
The insurance is not to be gift of
the government but is to be paid for
out of the pay of the insured man.
The government, however, is to take
upon itself the cost of collecting and
administering the funds and also the
extra hazard caused by the war, the
rate of SIS per $1,000 being normal
rate in peace time and an entirely
adequate rate for war risk.
The workmen's compensation laws
and the experiences of insurance COM
panies in this country and the laws
and experiences of other countries
have been studied and used in the
preparation of this bill.
Secretary McAdoo emphasizes the
Justice and rightfulness of such a
function of the gOvernemnt by citing
the fact that in this war we are not
relying upon the volunteer system
but are drafting American men and
compelling them to undergo danger
and, if necessary, make the supreme
sacrifice for their country. A higher
obligation, he says, therefore rests
upon the government not only to-
wards the fighting men but towards
those dependent upon them and
lust, generous and humane govern
ment should see to it that SO far as
is practicable they should be given
this protection, not as a matter OF
mercy of charity but as matter OF
right. And that they should enter
into the service of heir country with
the certain knowledge that II death
or misfortune coems to them they
and their dependents are protected
by insurance afforded the mby their
government as part of the compensa-
ton for the service they are render
ing their country.
In conclusion Secretary McAdoo
points out that while this plan may
call for considerable expenditures at
present, yet the eventual cost to the
government of this plan will be very
much less than that which would re-
suit from the adherence to the pres
ent pension program of the country,
and, further, that the pension sys-
tenn will not provide the same bene-
fits nor cover the subject in the same
comprehensive, humane and equitable
way.
There is no use to which the funds
derived from the sale of Liberty Loan
bonds can be put which will be more
approved by the people OF
the country than to provide this just
and deserved protection to the men
who are Drawing all the dangers OF
this war on land and sea in the SER
vice of their country.
STOLEN PLUMBER