Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-09-03

over and above the mans own alIot.
ment'
To instil thrift, to enable a man to
build up a fund out of which he can
pay the insurance premiums, and
above all. better 10 preserve equality
and democracy among the members of
our own forces and between them and
the Allies, provision is made enabling
| the War Department and the Navy De-
| partment, by regulation, 10 compel
men who do not allot one-half of their
pay to deposit so much of the half-pay
as is not allotted. these deposits to
bear interest at 4 per cent per annunl.
| compounded semi-annually.
The risk of disability or death as
TO officers, men. and nurses while in
active service as part of the military
/ or naval forces of the United States
is Unidentified against by compensa-
ton on the analogy of the workman's
compensation act rather than through
pension system.
If total disability results from
personal injury suffered or disease
contracted in the course of the serY-
ice. the compensation, based on the
percentage of pay, but with mini
mum of from $40 to SIS per month.
| according to the size of the family,
| may increase for the higher officers
to a maximum of $500 per month.
Compensation is not payable. however,
tarhffn hn nFfpn.. ant
allowance.
Partial disabilities are compen-
stated for on the basis of percentages
of the compensation for total disabil-
ity, dependent upon the average i'm
pairment of earning capacity result
ing from such injuries in civil occu-
pations Provision is made for COM
mutation under regulations, but of
part only of the compensation. Med
ical, surgical and hospital treatment,
supplies and appliances are given"
In addition TO these compensations,
rehabilitation and re-education of the
injured man are recognized as vital
elements in the scheme. The bill
does not attempt to cover the matter
of means and methods of effecting
this, since a study of European ex-
perience with this problem is neces-
sary, 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
Secretary McAdoo's statement, com
pensation is paid to the widow, child
rem. and dependent widowed mother.
The amount, based upon percentage
Of pay, ranges from a minimum, ac-
cording to the size of the family, from
SIS to $50 per month, to a maximum
for the higher officers of 5000 per
month
Risk of non-insurability at ordi-
nary rates is Unidentified against by
the insurance of government insur-
ance, covering total disability and
death, to officers, men, and army
nurses, while in the active service as
part of the military or naval forces,
in the amount of $1,000 to $4,000.
THE excess cost due to the in
| creased mortality and disability risk
l. should clearly be borne by the gov
eminent. The cost of administering
the insurance bureau for the bene-
| fit of the fighting men is also a proper
governmental charge AS the govern
ment will not have the other ex-
penses incident to insurance, the pre-
MUM rates to be charge by ii are
based upon the mortality experience
tables of peace time without loading
Loading comprises overhead charges,
| commissions to agents, advertising,
etc, and is a large item in the pre-
MUM charges of private companies. :"
With these loading" expenses elm
mated, Secretary McAdoo says, an in
surance costing during the war an
| average of IS per $1,000 can be pro-
vided. thus bringing even the maxi
mum of $4,000 insurance to only $50
year 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 mortal
ity 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
but minimum protection based on gen.
j eral averages throughout the country,
and that in many States and large
cities especially. supplemental grants
will be required State and municipal
legislation may be expected to meet
this need"
This bill places the responsibility
for the gigantic task of relief of de-
pendents where it obviously belongs
upon the National Government. At
| the same time there will be local OBJ
legations for relief-and in these the
Red Cross will naturally function
l through its chapters and other local
agencies. To quote again from the
recent statement of the Chairman of
the Red Cross War Council:
THE American people will not per-