New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-16
Separation Allowances

committee of the Chamber OF Com-
merce of the United States, appointed at
the request of the Secretary of War to
investigate the subject of allowances for
dependents of soldiers, has just made its
report. After study of the systems IN
force in Great Britain and Canada it rec
ommends that the problem be treated as a
national obligation and legislation be
passed promptly to create fund for the
payment of allowances to dependents of
soldiers and sailors based on the number
of dependents in each family. To supple
ment this, it urges the designation by the
government of some national organization
to raise fund by public subscription to
be distributed "for the alienation of con-
ditions not adequately met by national or
state allowances" This organization should
work in conjunction with representative
local organizations. Pending such action
by the government and the working out of
details of the relief plan, employers are
advised to make "only temporary commit
ments to the dependents Of their employees
who enlist, in accordance with the sugges-
ton of the Secretary of War"
1t is obvious that this pressing problem
should be settled promptly, in such
way that the calling of the first group OF
men under the selective draft will neither
throw on charity the burden of providing
for a large number of conscripts' depend
ents nor handicap the business Of the
country by shifting to employers the care
of individuals not otherwise provided for
The situation is now vastly different from
that existing at the time troops were sent
to the Mexican border Then a compare
lively small number Of men was taken
from the industrial world, and the period
for which they were withdrawn, while in
definite, was certain not to be long. Pa
triotic and generous employers were will
ing to (and did in many cases) arrange to
continue the payment of wages to men in
service, some in full, some on part-pay-
ment basis.
Nobody knows how long this war will
last. Nobody knows how many men will
be called into the ranks. However willing
employers might be to continue to pay in
full or in part those who don the country's
uniform, it would be impossible in many
cases, if not in most. To undertake it
would be to court disaster-to bring about
business collapses which would threaten
the industrial structure of the country and
actually handicap the prosecution of the
war. The need for a plan of national pay
ment of separation allowances is, there
fore, apparent.
The systems in use in Great Britain and
Canada differ somewhat. Great Britain
allows 1925 a week for wife or mother,
S1.25 week for the first child, ga cents
for the second child and 80 cents for each
additional child. In Canada a minimum
allowance of 500 a month is made, regard
less Of the size Of the family. This is sup
plemented by an allowance from the Pa
triotic Fund, based on the size Of the fam
lily. In each case the soldier is required to
contribute a certain proportion of his pay.
The amount Of government grants depends
on proof Of support of dependents before
enlistment and the standard or amount OF
contribution TO their support; this holds
true also Of grants from the patriotic
funds.
1t is the conclusion of the committee of
the Chamber Of Commerce that employers
should not undertake to care for depend
ents of their employees. To do this would
only conflict with and hamper the admin
istration OF this relief scheme, which must
be national. Also the committee suggests
that employers will find it wise not TO
promise TO hold jobs open for employees who
join the colors. They may not be capable
Of filling those places when they return,
and the national welfare will require the
filling Of jobs by those who can render
most efficient service.
AL these considerations should operate