Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-07-30
Insurance For Our
Sailors and Soldiers

Washington.-T federal govern
ment's plan for insuring officers and
men of the army, navy and marine
corps against death and injury, while
in service, broadened a complex pro-
gram which would provide govern
ment allowance for families of sold
iers and sailors and the rehabilita-
tion and training of injured men to
fit them for making livelihood after
the war.
The program was discussed at con-
ferences among officials of the war,
navy, treasury, the labor committee
of the council of national defense and
the presidents and other high offic-
ials Of leading insurance companies.
Issuance Of insurance policies from
$1,000 to $4,000 to officers and men
at ordinary peace time rates, the gov
ernment paying the extra cost, in
IDENTITIES for total or partial disa-
bility, and administration of the en-
tire scheme by the governments war
risk insurance bureau, which Is at
present insuring officer and crews of
American merchant vessels, are
among the outstanding features of
the proposed program.
"The plan has not yet assumed
definite FORM" said a statement is
sued at the treasury, "but when 1t
has been worked out in all its funda-
mentals and details, Secretary Nc
Adoo will present it to the President
for his approval and, IL approved, the
recommendation will be submitted to
congress at an early date for its con-
sderation, The whole proposition is
based on the fundamental idea that
the government should, as matter
of course and humanity, adequately
protect its fighting men on land and
sea and their dependent families. 1t
is proposed to impose on the public
treasury the obligation of indemnify
ing Justly the men who have entered
or who are about to enter the army
and navy.
"Under the plan discussed, 1t Is
suggested that provision be made for
the support of dependents or soldiers
and sailors by giving them an allot-
ment out Of the pay Of the men and
also an allotment by the government;
that officers and men be Unidentified
against death or total or partial dis
ability; that system or rehabilita-
tion and re-education for disabled
men be inaugurated and that the
government insure life of sailors and
soldiers on their application at rates
of premium based upon ordinary
risks.
Dependents of soldiers and sail
ors in service would be provided for
through all movements from their
pay, supplemented by family allow
ances by the government. The amount
of the government allowance would
depend upon the size Of the family
and, as to others than the wife and
children, upon the actual dependency
upon the men. The family allowance
would be made only If the sailor or
soldier makes an allotment for his
dependents out Of his pay.
"The risk of death or total disa-
bility would be compensated some
what on the analogy of workmen' s
compensation acts, with the compen-
sation measured by the mems serv-
ices, the size of the families and the
loss to the family. Partial disability
would be compensated for upon per-
centage Of the compensation for total
disability. The cost of this compen-
sation naturally must be paid wholly
by the government.
"In working out the new system
1t is deemed essential that system
for re-education and rehabilitation
be established, so that injured men
may be fitted as far as possible for
lives of usefulness either in their
former or some other vocations.
"In the preparation of the plans to
be laid before the President and con-
gress, the laws and experiences OF
other countries have been studied and
useful ideas have been suggested by
insurance men. It is hoped to have
the plans ready in the near future,
as 1t is desirable that the subject be
considered during the present ses-
sion of congress"