Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-21
Protecting Uncle Sans BOYS.

itarian public endeavor ever fostered by nation
in time of peace war; and were it not for ad-
mitted soundness of fundamental principles upon
which it is builded there might be raised tie OBJ
lection that it is more utopic than practical. We
refer the Administration bill just introduced in
House and Senate providing for life aEd accident
insurance. disability, compensation and indemnity
for American soldiers and sailors who risk iife
limb and health in the service of their country
While drawn under the inspiration and direction
of President Wilson, the proposed - The
immediate work Of Secretary McAdoo. approved
and Endorsed by the leading actuaries and insurance
of the United States If nothing more is
complished than doing away with the pension sys-
tenn, made pernicious and odious through misuse
the people will owe the President lasting and
payable debt of love and gratitude-unpayable be-
cause there are some things so big and fine and
supremey constructive to make payment i'm
possible.
Starting upon the broad basis that every
who volunteers who is called to serve his
country in defensive offensive warfare is enti-
tied to know and feel that if untoward fatality be-
fall him in the performance of duty his family,
or those dependent upon him, not stripped of
livelihood. the government proposes to sell insur-
at minimum rate not to exceed eight dollars
per thousand. Under this modicum charge pri-
vate will be able to carry ten thousand dollars life
Insurance at cost of eighty dollars or less per
year Every policy covers the period of the
and continues for five years thereafter.
One OF the most admirable ramifcations set
forth by Mr.. McAdoo is a provision which largely
eliminates the risk of dependency. this being &C
eompIished by the allotment of part of the pay of
enlisted men supplemented by family allowance
granted and paid by the federal government. For
wife and for children eighteen years of age or un-
der. those incapable of pursuing proper gainful
occupation because of infirmites. salary allot-
ments are compulsory. but for all other dependents
they are entirely voluntary. In the of COM
pulsory allotments they must equal the family al
Iowance. the minimum being fifteen dollars and a
maximum of one-half pay. The monthly family
government allowance ranges from five to fifty dol
lars the latter figure being the maximum, and is
governed entirely by the size OF a mans family.
This particular point is explained by Mr.. McAdoo,
follows:
"A private gets s33 month for service
abroad. IL he has wife and two children
he must alIot to them at least SIS out of his
pay. The government supplements this by
giving the family an allowance of $3.50.
This family minimum income therefore, would
be s47.5O. The father allot much more
as he pIeases II there is another child, the
government will allow 50 additional. If that
man should have a mother or father actually
dependent upon him. and to whom he has
been accustomed to contribute say SIS a
month, he can allotment of $40
- mouth from the government for the parent by
aIotting IS more of his pay. Thus. the pr-
vate with wife. three children. and mother
actually dependent upon him, by giving $40
out of his $50 a month. would get from the
government for his family $3.50 month,
giving the family income of $3.50, and
still leave the man S13 month for spending
money. II there are more children, or il there
is also a dependent father. the government
would give up to $50 in all, over and above
the mans own allotment"
Another excellent feature, calculated to in
still thrift and establish equality and democracy
among the men. is a provision requiring every
to deposit with the government a small portion
of his monthly salary. these deposits drawing four
per cent interest compounded semi-annually. I'm
der this system every enlisted man creates a fund
out of which he may pay his insurance premiums
and at the same time for obligations other
than those due his family IL total disability fol-
lows injury suffered disease contracted in the
service of the United States, compensation rang
ing from forty to seventy-hve dollars per month
is allowed prvates, the size of a mans family gov
ernfng this and in the OF officers the max
imum is two hundred dollars per month. Partial
disability also is allowed and is based upon the
average impairment of earning power.
In addition to these splendid governmental
dowments the proposed bill provides for the re-
Mobilization and re-education of injured men. I'm
der this system he would be allowed to commute
as much as twenty dollars month of his compen-
sation and with this lump sum enter some small
business for which the government has fitted him.
This does not affect the balance of his compensa-
ton II death should occur from disease or injury
sustained in service compensation is paid the
widow children and dependent widowed mother.
While there are other splendid provisions
ISOLATED with the bill submitted by the Administra-
ton to Congress those enumerated here consti-