Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-16
SAMMEES' INDEMNITY
CONFERENCE STARTS
Assistant Secretary of Treasury
Rowe Explains Insurance and
Compensation for Men
wASHrNGToN. oct l6.

The Military and Naval Conference sum
moued under the auspices of the Treasury
department. the War department aud the
Navy department L" consider the pro-
visions Of the act recently passed 10y CON
rrcss providing compensation. Indemnity
and insurance for officers and enlisted mea
Of the army and navy, was opened this
morning in the general hearing room of the
senate office building.
Nt-the opening session Secretary Of War
Baker. Secretary Of the Nayy Daniels. and
the acting Secretary Of the Treasury oscar
r crpsby addressed the conference. the
conference was presided over by l.. : Rowe,
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury. In
opening the conference he said:
81 desire first to express to YOU the Keen
regret of Secretary McAdoo that he cannot
he with YOU this morning. This conference
today represents the elimination ~ one "i
his Cpndest hopes. His message to you VIII
re read presently. and viii express 10 you
far better than l. could hone t. do MS de'n
and abiding interest In the great measure
winch the Congress ui the h't" H''I''
has enacted.
"I can truly say that I have never felt
more proud of my American citizenship
than | do this morning. Iu'fac'. IL must he
II source of inspiration +" every American
to see his country. in III" midst OF greal
tious TO its citizens, but to extend thoSt
obligations beyoud the peace standards.
'I et there he no mistake with reference
ia the spirit which dominated the Govern
naul in the enactment of this great military
aud KaNal compensation and Insurance
measure. There was no Thought Of grant
ing "A gratuity or anything in the nature OF
bonus TO the officers aud enlisted men IN
the military and naval establishments Ihe
purpose was to meet and fuhil those stan
dards Of justice of real democratic justice
which the President has placed so clearly
! before the people Of this country. 1t is trl"
| that in this law the Government has cN-
| tended TO YOU rights which no Government
! has before extended In quite the same
| measure. but it has done so with the fuII
! auprcciatiun Of the fact that il was thereby
/ fulfilling an obligation toward you.
! 1t is the inevitable tendency during war
| times to stress the obligation Of the citizen
/ 10 his country and his Goverumeut but It
| Is not onIy emiuently fitting, but necessary,
| that in q democracy such as ours the ublga-
/ ton Of the Government to its citizens, ana
| especially to the men who are giving their
! an to the service Of their country. should
not he lost sight of.
You have assembled in order that tn"
| Government may fully acauaint YOU with
! the rights granted ny this new law to YOU
and your associates. II will he your priNi-
| lege TO carry back with YOU fun knowledge
Of it's provisions and to acuuaint your asso-
! ciates with the steps which they should taHe
to avail themselves of their rights under
/ the act.
The wise provision Of this generous GOV
erDment measure will take from many an
| officer and enlisted man heavy burden
Of care will give them assurance that what
ever fate may befall them their iamlll"s
will be adequately provided for. 80 one
will for moment doubt that - measure
In ffa . 70
| taking upon which they have been sent.
This strengthening Of their purpose VIII
serve TO hasten the successful conclusion ot
this great conflict