The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-07-21
WAR RELIEF WORK
HOW PROVISION is MADE IN CAM
ADA FOR FAMILIES OF SOL
DIERS-INSURANC AND sYs-
TEN OF RE-EDUCATIoN.

How Canada provides for the wives
and children of her enlisted men is
described in report by Mr. S. Her
bert Wolfe of New York, prepared at
the request of the Secretary of Labor
and just published by the Children's
Bureau of the United States Depart
ment of Labor. In presenting the re-
port, Miss Lathrop, Chief of the Chill
dren's Bureau, says:
In the so years SINCE the Civil War,
legislation affecting the family and it's
economic status has shown marked
growth. Mothers pension laws and
minimum-wage laws are recognized
examples, and it is acknowledged that
their result has not been to pauperize
but distinctly to improve the power
of the family to protect itself. In
view of this tendency it is to be ex-
pected that system of compensation
for soldiers and sailors can be devel-
oped whereby the government will
make possible for their children the
home life and parental care which are
the common need of every child"
The report points out that in Can
ada two notable elements have been
added to the government provision for
soldiers and their families: First, in
surance on the lives of soldiers is car
ried by various municipalities, and,
second, the Dominion has undertaken
as part of its military system the re-
education, in suitable occupation, of
the disabled soldier so that he can as
sumo again, in whole or in part, the
care of his family
The Canadian compensation for the
soldier and his family includes not
only $33 of monthly pay for the pri-
vate in active service, but a separa-
! ton allowance to his dependents of
| 500 month from the Dominion gov
eminent and further assistance in spe-
cial cases from the Canadian Patriotic
Fund.
For example, the wife of private
soldier with three children between
the ages of 10 and Is may receive
either SIS or $40 from the assigned
pay Of her husband, 500 separation al
| lowance, and $25 from the Canadian
Patriotic Fund, or in all $50 or $65
month.
1 IL her husband is killed, she will re-
| ceive $40 month for herself and an
j additional Sc month for each of her
children until her boys are 16 years
| of age and her girls are II years of
age In addition, if she lives in Tor
| onto or one of number of other cit
les, she will receive life insurance.
This will be paid to her in regular
/ monthly installments unless she shows
4 that she needs the entire amount at
/ once to pay off mortgage or to make
a start in business.
If her husband is disabled she will
/ receive a special maintenance allow
ance while he is having medical treat
/; ment and learning new occupation,
1 and when he is finally discharged, if
his physical disability continues, a
pension will be paid according to the
extent of his disability and the num-
Der of his children under 16 or II
4 years of age.
Mr.. Wolfe is an actuary o. recog-
nized authority, and he has analysed
4 especially the municipal provision for
j life insurance, by which certain Cana
i dian cities have supplemented the pen
sions provided by the Dominion for
| dependents of deceased soldiers. In
Toronto, the municipality has not only
4. purchased $1O,0O0O0O worth of insur-
ance from private companies, but it
is itself carrying more than $32,000,00O
worth of insurance.