Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17
Administration Measure Pro-
videS for Loss of Income as
Well as Life, Provides InSur-
anCe and AboIiSheS Pensions

WASHINGTON. Aug. 15.-The govern
ment now is directing its attention to
the question of compensation, indem-
nifty and insurance for the officers and
enlisted men of the army and navy
thanks TO the efforts of Secretary of
the Treasury William McAdoo. In bring
ing this matter before congress, Mr.
McAdoo has the entire approval of the
president and it may be accepted as
settled that the force of the administra-
tion will be brought to the support OF
congressional action along the lines
suggested by Mr. McAdoo.
The administration BILL dealing with
this question was introduced in the
senate and house last week by Sena-
tor Simmons of North Carolina and
Representative Alexander of Missouri
respectively. A Georgian will have
charge of the legislation in the house
Congressman w. c. Adamson, chairman
of the interstate and foreign commerce
committee, is deeply interested in the
problem of compensating, indemnifying
and insuring the soldiers and sailors.
He informs me that the administration
bill will receive his support. and that
he will make every effort to expedite
it's consideration in his committee
The legislation, as Mr.. McAdoo point
ed out in an admirable letter to the
president, in tended to meet the essen
tails and fundamental principles OF
Justice which Mr.. Wilson has so muct
at heart "Its main purpose" quoting
Mr.. McAdoo, lis to grant reasonable
government indemnity against the
losses and risks incurred in the dis
charge of a patriotic duty and in the
performance ofan extraordinarily haz-
ardous service to which the govern
ment has called and forced the citizen
1t provides not only for the man but
for his family"
THREE MAIN PROVISIONS.
In the line of indemnity, the plan sub
mitted by Secretary McAdoo and ap-
proved by President Wilson seeks to
accomplish these ends by providing
reasonably and so far as possible agalhs'
The risk az of support of the bread
winner; C2) of life and limb; CD oil
present insurability at ordinary rates
mart of the enlisted mans pay
supplemented by a family allowance
to be paid by the government, VIII con-
sttitute an indemnity against the rlsR
of dependency. The words OF Secretary
McAdoo. explaining this feature 10 the
president, are quoted:
"For wife and children up to eighteen
mr. If incapable of pursuing supstah
tally gainful occupation because OF men
tal or physical infiTmities, then with
ont age limit, allotments are compulso'
~ unless waived or exempted unoei
regulations. For other dependents theS
are voluntary. The compulsory aliot
r,ent must equal the family allowance
with a minimum, however, or SIo' dn0
n maximum of one-half pay. Ihe month'
IN family allowance ranges from 30 u
$50 maximum, dependent upon the size
of the family. and. as to other KINDRED
than wife and children, further depend
emf upon their actual needs and upor
the amount ordinarily contributed oS
the man for their support. A voluntary
allotment to these kindred similar 10 thf
compulsory allotment for wife and emil
dren is required as a condition 10 Iht
allowance, but If the compulsory allot
ment is being made then as to the ad
ditional allotment, and minimum OF -
and a maximum of one-seventh pay II
a condition to the government grant
The plan is very simple, as may bt
gathered from this illustration: The
compensation of the private soldier II
foreign service is S3S per month. sup
pose a soldier has a wife and two chill
dren He must allot them at least $IS
monthly out of compensation, less thar
one-half his salary. The government
under the McAdoo plan, will supplement
this allotment by an allowance of S32.5C
per month. The minimum income OF
the family. in these circumstances
would be s47.50 per month OF course
there is no limitation upon the sun
that a soldier may allot to his family
out of his pay. If there is another
child, the government will allow an ad
ditional SO per month
PARENTS PROVIDED FOR.
If the soldier in addition to the wife
and two children, should have a depend
ent mother or father to whom he has
been accustomed to giving Sl5 pei
month. he can secure an allotment from
the government of $40 a month for the
dependent parent by alloting IS more
per month OF his compensation.
Thus" as Mr.. McAdoo points out
"the private soldier with a wife, three
children and a mother actually depend
ent upon him, by giving $50 out of his
$50 a month, would get from the govern
ment for his family $47.50 per month
giving his family an income of $3.50
per month, and still leave the man 81;
per month for spending money"
IT is possible. under the plan of sepa-
ration allowances. if there are more
children and also a dependent father,
for the private soldier to get from the
government allowances up to $50 per