Gunnison news-champion., 1917-09-21
EXPLANATION OF SOLDIERS
PENSIONS AND INSURANCE
Measure Which Has Passed the House
and Will Probably Get Through
Senate With Little Change


from the Third Colorado District
Washington, d. C.-The House has
Da-sed what is regarded by many
l- the first scientific pension bill ever
a-acted by any legislature. The news
paper discussion of the measure has
q, times been misleading. This has
r.an due in large measure TO the fact
LAT the bill as reported to the House
. d far from perfect. Six days OF de-
bate resulted in the adoption of many
a.uable amendments.
The bill is unique in at least one
partIcular: For the first time in our
tory We undertake to provide for
the soldiers behind the lines"-the
women and children who remain at
.umr when the men go to the front
20 fight our battles
The soldier who serves in France
wITl receive s33 month. II he has
4 wife or wife and children he will
b. required to allot sl5 a month TO
them. To this the government will
add SIS for the wiIe, $40 for one
child: Sl7.50 for two children and IS
for each additional child. II the SOL
der has additional relatives depend
srt on him he may allot further sums
for their support and the government
"a ID contribute in proportion
Suppose a soldier has a wife, three
children and a mother dependent on
ham. He must allot SIS for the sup
rurt Of his wife and children ard he
r.ay contribute $5 to his mother. The
g1gcrnment viii then add $3.50 for
tar wife and children and SO for the
mother. Thus the soldiers depend
.u,s would receive from all sources
$3.50 a month.
Contrast With Civil War
Veterans of the Civil war will recall
,ha, when they were fighting under
Grant and Sherman and Sheridan
their dependents-if they had any
were compelled to shift for themselves
or appeal TO charity of friends. To
rake matters worse our Civil war
t.rocs were paid in deprecated cur
r.nry. At times they did not receive
mo1. than 81 or So a month in gold.
For fifty years we have been en-
d.avoring to make amends for our
-hameful treatment of the men who
-aycd the Union, but many of the most
dnscrving never had an opportunity
go share the nations bounty. Death
claimed them before pension laws
were enacted.
In this war we intend to start right
and deal justly by our soldiers and
their dependents while they are still
alive.
The old pension laws granted in
adequate allowances to widows. The
4 .F ILL - he
Philippines is entitled to Sl2 with So
additional for each child. Under the
new law a widow will receive $35 a
month with $40 additional for one
additional children. Similarly gen.
erous provisions are made for de-
pendent parents.
Class Distinctions Removed
In this connection the House, by
what was practically unanimous vote
decided that SO far as pensions are
concerned, officers and privates or
their dependents should be placed on
an exact equality.
Ours is an army Of democracy, and
at the very threshold Of the great
struggle we should do what we can
to wipe ou. class distinctions.
Inc Ht" ptEsluls Ibf ul5hbleu anu
partially disabled soldiers are in some
respects not as generous as under
the old law, but it is not believed the
changes will work hardship on any
one.
The insurance provision of the new
law has provoked much discussion.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO
NOT WANT UNCLE SAM TO GO
INTO THE INSURANCE BUSI-
NESS. They made a hard fight
against the part of the bill in the
House and they will make a more bit
ter struggle in the Senate.
Cost of Insurance
As the bill stands the government
offers insurance up to $4,000 to all
officers and men at what it would
actually cost in peace times.
The average price will be about sS
per $1,000 per year. The insurance
companies which will insure soldiers
at all charge s5s for the same kind
Of insurance. The companies are
justified in making this rate, for SOL
diering in these days is an extra
business but ordinary
soldiers are not able to pay it. If the
government refuses to aid him he
must go into battle without insur-
ance.
Should we who remain at home in
comfort and safety ask him to make
the sacrifice? / don't think SO.
And if we give him insurance should
we not say to him 1--WE will give you
this insurance for exactly what it
would cost you if you were not risk
ing your life for us!"
Exaggerated Estimates
The opponents of the insurance
scheme are endeavoring to frighten
the people with estimates of the prob
able cost. One eminent gentleman
said it would involve an expenditure
Of 81 500, 900 900 the second year Of
the war. This is veriest nonsense.
r. vvo sond n million mon into the