Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-09-01

interest at per cent per annum, COM
pounded semi annually.
The risk of disability or death as to
officers, men, and nurses while in ac-
tive service as part of the military or
naval forces of the United States is
UNIDENTIFIED against by compensation
on the analogy of the workmen's com
pensation act rather than through a
pension system.
! III total disability results from per-
sonal injury suffered or disease con-
| tracted in the course of the service, the
compensation. based on the percentage
/ of pay, but with a minimum of from $40
to SIS per month according to the size
of the family, may increase for the
higher officers to a maximum of 5000
! per month. Compensation is not pay
able, however. while the officer receives
retirement allowance.
/ Partial sabilites are compensated
for on the basis of percentages Of the
compensation for total disa bilty, de-
pendent upon the average impairment
of earning capacity resulting from such
/ injuries in civil occupations. Provision
/ Is made for commutation under regula-
tions. but of a part only of the compen-
! Sation. Medical, surgical, and hospi-
tai treatment, supplies and appliances
are given
| In addition to these compensations,
abilitation and re education of the
injured man are recognized as vital ele-
ments in the scheme. The bill does
not attempt to cover the matter of
means and methods of effecting this.
snce a study of European experience
with this problem is necessary. but the
principle is established in the bill
IF death results from the injury or
disease incurred or contracted in the
course of the service" continues Sec
retary McAdoo's statement, "compen-
sation is paid to the widow, children.
ard dependent widowed mother The
amount, based upon percentage Of pay,
ranges from minimum, according to
the size of the family, from SIS to $50
per month, to a maximum for the high
er officers OF 5000 per month.
Risk OF non-insurability at ordinary
rates is indemnified against by the in
Snrance of Government insurance. COW
ering total disability and death. to Off
i WIS., ihVii' anu iliiS nurses, Wnlle IN
the active service as part Of the mill
tary or naval forces, in the amount
Of $1,000 to 10000
The excess cost due to, the increased
mortality and disability risk should
'clearly be borne by the Government
The cost of administering the insurance
bureau for the benefit of the fighting
men Is also proper governmental
charge. AS the Government will not
have the other expenses incident to in
Surance, the premium rates to be
charged by it are based upon the NOR
taiity experience tables of peace time
without loading" Loading comprises
overhead charges. commissions to
agents, advertising. etc, and is large
item in the premium charges of pri :
vate companies"
| With these loading" expenses elm
mated, Secretary McAdoo says an in
surance costing during the war an av-
/ erage of sS per $1,000 can be provided.
thus bringing even the maximum of
$4,000 insurance to only $50 a wear
premium-a charge within the reach of
practically every private. After the
war the insurance may be converted
into other forms with earlier maturity.
the premiums to be based however. on
the same mortality tables and without
loading"
The laws and experiences of other
countries" says the Secretary, "have
been studied and used in the prepara :
ton of this bill. 1t is clearly recog-
nized that the Government can offer
J but minimum nroteefiop boea3 -, -
erai averages throughout the country.
ana that IN many states and large cit
les especially, supplemental grants will
be required. State and municipal leg
islation may be expected to meet this
need"
! This bill places the responsibility for
the gigantic task Of relief Of depend
ents where 1t obviously beIongs-upon
the National Government. At the
same time there will be local obliga-
tions for relief-and in these the Red
Cross will naturally function through
Its chapters and other local agencies,
10 quote again from the recent state
ment OF the Chairman of the Red Cross
| War Council:
! The American people will not hermit
families to suffer want because their
breadwinners are fighting for their
country. Cases Will undoubtedly arise
wherein the allowance Of the govern
ment will not be adequate to protect a
family from financial distress. Such
cases the Red Cross will hope to pro-
vide for through it's Chapters"
6SO Rrrroou IF rbonfo. a&: