The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-10
Bill Involving Governments
Plan introduced Today.
Drafted by Experts Under Di-
rectiOn of Sec'y of Treasury.
$4,000 FOR $50 A YEAR
Widow of Uninsured Soldier To
Get $4,000 and $50 Mo.
Disability Compensation for
Enlisted Man, $40 to S75 Mo.
RY GEoRGE MARTIN.

Washington, Aug. 10.-Bearing the
presidents stamp of approval and
Secretary MeAdoo's plea that it be
made a lsw in justice to America s
fighting men and their families, the
long expected war compensation, in
demnity and insurance bill was intro
duced in both houses of congress to-
day 1t represents Americas first at
tempt to be forehanded in providing
for those whose homes are wrecked
by war.
Its outstanding feature is organiza-
ton of insurance for every fighting
man and nurse of IS year per $1,000
worth up to $4,000. Drafted by in
ternational experts under Secretary
McAdoo's direction, the proposed law
is substitute for the Civil war pen
sion system.
$50 Million, 9 Years Estimate.
1t will cost the government $685.
100000 the first two years, divided
thus:
Family allowance .$141 DOC. 900 $50 900 600
Death indemnities. 100000 $1,000, 600
Compensation for
total disability 5,25O,O0O 35OO0,OOO
partial disability. 3,2OO.OOO 2l0OO,OOo
Insurance against
death and disabil-
ity ........ 100000 112,5OO,OOO
Totals SIG. 10000 $3.50, 500. 900
The $4,000 worth of insurance for
$50 a year as compared with standard
rates of about 1902 year for $4,000
for a man of 81, is possible because the
government does not require high
priced statesmen, advertising and Off
ces.
The bill provides for the assignment
of part of each mans pay to his fam
lily, for a separation allowance to be
paid by the government, for grad
uated scale of payments for total or
partial disability, for a death indem-
nifty and for the insurance.
If a man fails to make applicatio
for insurance on the 81 to IS per
$1,000 plan and Is killed, the govern
ment presumes him to have made ap-
plication for a $1,000 policy and pays
his widow or his estate that amount.
For separation support of depend
ents the bill provides that SIS of the
enlisted mans $33 month go to
his wife. The government, if there
are two children, gives the wife S32 so
a month in addition to that, making
the minimum income S47.50. Five
dollars additional is allotted for each
more than SIS from his pay if he
wishes.
Pay for Dependents.
If the mans father or his mother
are his dependent and he gives SIS a
month of his pay for that, the govern
mSnt gives SlU- IhuS a private with
a wife, three children and a moi Their
dependent can, by allotting $50 of his
$33 get S47.50 from the government,
making $67.50 for his dependents.
The bill provides that a man with
out dependents or who does not allot
half of his pay, may be compelled by
the government to deposit up to Falf
his pay with the government at per
cent interest compounded semi-an-
nually-
If total disability results from in
jury or disease, compensation runs
from a minimum of $40 to a maxi
mum of SIS month for enlisted
men and up to $500 month for high
er officers. An officer cannot receive
this disability allowance if he receives
retirement pay
For Total Disability Up 10 S105
If a man loses both legs and both
arms in battle, he would receive $40 a
month; or if he needed a nurse $40
more If he had a dependent mother
he gets $40 more. If he later mar
ries. he'd get SIS more, and for each
of the first two children by the mar
riage. $40 more, or sos. He would
be fitted with artificial arms and legs
/ If he wanted TO start a store, he could
collect a $1,000 advance on his COM
pensation. to be paid back at the rate
$40 a month.
| If man dies, his funeral expenses