Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-10
U.s.. INSURANCE
FOR FIGHTERS
UP CONGRESS
Bills introduced in Both
Houses to Cover all
Services. 4

~ Washington, Aug. 4 10.-Authority to
make effectiye the governments pro-
gram, of insuring the men in the
armed forces of the nation was sought
of congress today in bills introduced
by Senator Simmons and Representa-
tive Alexander.
The proposed legislation was
framed to follow plans already an
| nounced in general outlines and
would provide insurance at minimum
cost for American soldiers, sailors and
marines, the insured men paying the
premium, family allowances to de-
pendents Of men in the nations mill
tary or naval service; indemnifcation
for disabilities and the re-education
and rehabilitation, at government ex-
pense, of injured men.
A feature would make it compul-
sorry for officers and men to allot
minimum Of SIS a month of their pay
to, dependent wives and children. The
maximum compulsory allotment is
half pay. These. allotments would be
supplemented by family allowance to
be- made by the government of SIS to
$50 a month, according to the cir
cumstances and number of depend
ents.
Liberal indemnities for partial and
total disability are included in the
program, varying from $40 to s75 per
for higher officers. Insurance would
be written by the government on lives
of the men at a rate of approximately
So per thousand In sums from $1,000
to $4,000. the premium payable in
installments.
Cost Comparatively Small.
''The total cost to the government
for two years is placed at $556,650,-
900, which Secretary McAdoo esti-
mates at less than 6 per cent Of the
cost to the country Of conducting the
| war. sH
Children up to 1S years of age, or
those older who are unable to work,
and wives of men and officers would
be given family allowances. The
amount would depend on the size of
the family, the allotment made by the
husband or father out of his pay, or
other circumstances to- be determined
in each individual case.
The bill does not attempt to cover
the methods to be pursued in re-edu-
eating and rehabilitating injured men,
Two principles are recognized: The
mans obligation to avail himself of
such opportunities as the government
may provide under penalty floss Of
compensation during any period of
right to-, disability compensation re-
gardless of his individual economic re-
lcuperation. The amount Of indemni-
ties paid in cases Of partial disability,
however. would vary from time to
time, according to the altered circum-
stances of the man insured.
The Possible Maximum.
Assume that a man were totally
disabled by losing both legs and both
arms in battle Mr.. McAdoo wrote
| the president by way of illustration.
Under the compensation provision Of
married he would receive $40 per
month, and IL, as most probable, he
needed a nurse or attendant, up to
| $50 additional. &
| .'If he had widowed mother de-
pendent upon him for support he
would get another $40. If he subse-
quently married, his compensation
would be increased at once by Si5,
If, later, on, he had children, the COM
]pensation would again be increased
1910 a month for each OF the first two
children. q possible maximum Of 800
1 a month. Xxi
sIn addition to this monthly pay
ment he would be fitted with artificfal
limbs and have treatment His COM
pensation or pension would not be af-
ffected by any increased earnings.
1 When disability results in death, de-
ipendents would receive from SIS to
1880 q month, the sum again being
rated according to the circumstance
Of the dependent. This feature OF the
program Is regardless of the insurance
4 which the man or ofiicers may take
4 il he wishes, paying the premium
i therefor himself 4