The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-20
U. S. WILL INSURE
ALL ITS FIGHTERS
Experts DGviSing Plan 10 Com
IuenSats For injuries In War.
BENEFIT FOR DEPENDENTS


Whole People, Says Insurance Man.
The Treasury, War, Navy and Com
mcroe Departments Are Working on
Il to Avoid Evils of Pension System.
Following n conference in Washing
ton with Secretary of the Treasury
McAdoo, a committee Of prominent in
surance men have drawn up n plan for
pensions or compensation for casual
ties in the war. which will be submit
ted to congress.
The details are to be worked out In
operation with the secretary Of the
treasury and officials of the war, navy
and commerce departments as well as
the Council of National Defense. 1t
was said they will conform as closely
as possible to the principle Of the work
mems compensation law.
To give some idea to soldiers, their
families and the public of what the
government, aided by the insurance
men, was trying to work out, the head
of one of the large companies, who
deprecated any idea of self advertise
ment and therefore did not wish to be
quoted by name, outlined the basis on
which the experts are working.
THE government" he said, ''is inter
ested i'll putting something through in
this matter that will be a happy solu-
tiOn of difficult problem. 1t decided
to appoint committee of actuaries,
with the agreement that the insurance
I,1,, l,n
1t is not life insurance that is sought.
1t is casualty insurance or, better still,
1t is compensatory Insurance.
THAT Uncle sam is great big en-
ployer was the idea finally agreed on by
the insurance and casualty chemists
down in Washington, and the proposed
insurance will in effect be a death ben
eft for the dependents of those who
succumb in action.
To Avoid Evils of Old System.
"The government, you see, is very
eager to do something to avoid pen
sioning as it has formerly existed, to
avoid the evils of the old pension sys-
ten. What it wants to work out is
compensatory insurance. Age has moth
ing to do with it. 1t isn't life insur-
ance.
"Of course the companies might have
gone into a pool or Il bureau, and the
government would be sending out
checks after proof, but the great deslfe
now is to simplify the whole matter.
'In short, it is proposed to put the
pension plan on workman's compen-
sation basis. OF course it is up to
congress, but ] think it will 20 right
through without hitch. Mr.. McAdoo
stated what was wanted on behalf of
the president, and the companies are
willing to lend to the government their
expert service, their statistics, etc.
They have very recent statistics from
Canada, where great deal of insur-
ance is carried
"The government and the representa-
tivcs are in cooperation to develop the
simplest possible plan, such one as
is being carried out by big business
through the woriplcn'S compensation.
"The worlmcn's compensation law
interposes between the workmcn and
the hazards of labor. By this plan
IL is desired to interposc between the
soldier and the hazards of war. The
plan when finally worked out may be
varied. according TO the condition OF
the family of soldier. 1t might be
matter Of compensation by INSTALL
ments.
viii Be a Tax on Whole People.
"Thc principle Of the workmen's COM
Dcnsation is being recognized by the
United States in this war. The gov
crnmgnt says: Wen meet the neces-
sary tax to compensate, and it will be
tax on the whole people, 1t will be
Just the same as if the problem arose
in bridge factory, shoe factory or
on railroad. We'll tax ourselves
Here's whole army going up against
these hazards, aud some must meet
them
"Such acceptance of this principle
amounts to social evolution 1t
would he n victory TO have it accept
ed without debate, and with this com
pensation principle granted and accept
ed the ground is covered for this war.
1t will help volunteering, for the vol
unteers nearly all have dependents and
TIC drafted lluNc hol' II Slilipis Snp"
what Il great democracy does for It
self in this emergency
"Such n system would supplement
n soldiers per diem. His dependents
would get his compensatory damages.
That is why the government wants
the plan crystallized in advance. The
plan will probably be uniform, with
out reNlrd to previous occupation"