Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-30

mortality may be. Consequently, the
very men who are called into tho serv-
ice because their physical condition is
of the best n who as civilians would
for that reason be able to secure the
most favorable insurance rate in peace
tune, are denied as soldiers the neces-
sary life insurance to enable them to
protect their families and dependents.
The tremendous rates charged by pri-
waite insurance companies to protect
them against the extra hazardous risks
or war put insurance entirely beyond
the reach Of h conscripted soldier.
Military necessity has. therefore, sub
Jected the most fit subjects for insur-
ahce to in in~surmountable discrimina-
ton unless the government itself sup
basis. 1t would, in fact, be dastardly
and undemocratic il the government
should penalize the soldier who is
forced to render the highest duty Of
the citizen by its failure to provide war
insurance upon peace terms and at net
cost, first, because the pay of the en-
listed men in the army and navy is
less than the wages and salaries gem
orally earned in private life, which re-
duces their investing capacity; and.
second, because government insurance
is an essential war emergency
measure. inangurated for the specific
benefit OF our military forces, and can
not and should not be conducted for
profit.
Such overhead charges as agents
commissions, advertising, promotion.
local rents, etc, are eliminated. The
government must assume the cost of
administering this benevolent agency.
just as 1t bears the cost of administer
ing all other government agencies es-
tablished for the benefit of the people.
This legislation will be a great step
forward in the recognition Of the re-
public's duty to it's heroes. I consider
1t the most significant and progressive
measure presented to congress since
the declaration of war. 1t Immediately
affects the we'll being Of a greater num-
Der OF persons than n act with
which 1 am familiar. 1t deserves tho
earnest and vigorous support Of the
country, 1t provides the broadcast and
the most liberal protection ever ex-
tended by any government to its fight
ing forces and their dependent families.
The United States, the most progress
sive and prosperous nation on earth,
setting an example in the ideals for
which enlightened humanity is fight
ing. should set the highest example Of
al 1.-THE nations in the treatment Of
those who do n die for their country
and for world freedom.
We are proposing to expend during
the next year more than $40, 000, 0oo, 900
to create and maintain the necessary
fighting forces to r~eestablfsh justice in
the world. But justice must begin at
home: Justice must be done to the men
who die and suffer for us on the bat
tlefields and for their wives and chill
dren and dependents who sacrifice for
US at home. To do justice to them re-
quires only a 1.-THE OF the money we are
expanding for the general objects of the
war. Let it not be said that noble Amer
lea was ignoble in the treatment Of her
soldiers and sailors and callous to the
fate of their dependents in this greatest
war of all time.
The pending wal insurance bill gives
compensation, not PENSIONS; it fixes
amounts definitely in advance instead
of holding out the mere chance of gra-
tuities after the conclusion of peace. 1t
saves the dependents from want and
gives the n~ecessaries of life while their
men are at the front. 1t deals with it's
heroes literally for the sufferings that
result from their disablement on the
field of battle, and, If they die. it makea
just provision for the loved ones who
survive them. 1t f.. tiers the helpless ana
dependent, the MANNED and disabled.
and recognizes the immensely of the ma
tion's debt to the valor and patriotism
of her heroic sons.