The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-20
Steps 10 Provide For Families of Soldiers
And Sailors Taken By Committee on Labor

The Council of National Defense
authorizes the following:
The first toward providing sepa.
ration allowances for dependents of
| soldiers and sailors, compensation for
men injured, and pensions for depen-
. dents of men killed or disqualified
from pursuing their regular vocations
have been taken by the committee on
labor Of the Council of National De-
tense. Samuel Gompers, chairman,
has appointed Judge Julian w. Mack.
United States circuit court, of Chica-
60, chairman Of the section on COM
3ensation for soldiers and sailors and
their dependents, and urged that leg
lslation be prepared at the earliest
moment for the approval of the coun-
Gil and submittal to Congress
Judge Mack has selected commit
tees and is working in full cooperation
with the Marine Risk Bureau of the
Treasury Department, which is au-
tho. lied to insure the lives of mer-
chant seamen, with Capt. S. Herbert
Wolf, an actuary, who has studied
Canadian conditions and made a re-
port to the Department of Labor, and
with experts in special related fields.
He is holding numerous conferences
and Fastening action in accordance
with Mr. Gomper's suggestion that
such a course will hearten the boys
who go TO the front"
Method Adopted in Canada.
In Canada, according to the report
made to the Department of Labor by
Labor by Capt Wolfe, soldiers and
sailors are required to assign at least
half but not more than twO-thirds, Of
their pay to their dependents. This
money is automatically paid to the
dependents by the Canadian Govern
ment. The Government makes sepa-
ration allowances to privates of 500 a
month. The Canadian Patriotic
Fund, which is not governmental or
ganization. makes an additional al
lowance if there are dependents. The
result Of these provisions is that a
private with three children between
the ages of 10 and Is is able to pro-
vide for his family $50 month
Further provision is made for Deepen.
dents of the private or of any other
soldier or sailor if he is killed or dis
abled
What provisions should be made
for American soldiers and sailors
Judge Mack and associates are try
ing to determine, with, the coopera-
ton of leading experts in workmens
compensation insurance and pensions.
and with others who have had special
experience with foreign pension sys-
TENS for providing separation allow
ances.
Thinks Government Should Bear
Burden.
Judge Mack said that, in his judg-
ment, the responsibility of providing
funds for separation allowances, COM
pensation for injuries, and pensions
should rest upon the Government. He
discussed the question whether, in or
der to establish means to care for de-
pendents and soldiers and sailors
who are disabled, unified program
should be centered upon one Of the
existing bureaus or Government de-
part,nents, or whether it should be
turned over to new bureau or COM
mission directly responsible to Con-
gresse and the President.
The committee selected by Judge
Mack to draft legislation on separa-
ton allowances, compensation for in
juries, and pensions. to be presented
to the Council of National Defense for
approval and then to Congress, is
composed Of p Tecumseh Sherman,
New York. chairman; d. L. Cease,
editor Of the Railroad Trainmen's
Frank V. Whiting, general claims at
torney, New York Central Lines, New
York; Prof. F. Spenceh Balwin, New