Arizona republican., 1917-08-12
Where the People
 May Have Hearing
Soldiers Insurance

Nogales, Ariz.. Aug. 9, 1917. Editor. The Arizona Republican,:
 Tn your editorial, "A Soldiers In- demnity Fund" appearing in the issue of August '. you quote from what purpolts to be a plan for replace ment of our pension system with scientifically administered indemnity fund for soldiers and their families. suggested by "one of the great life in- surance companies.
 Therein the statement appears that At the conference it was made clear to the government authorities that IL was unwise to go to the expense or putting this plan in operation through the life insurance companies for the government could itself handle it di- rectly at less cost, although the com panies were ready to undertake 1t II the government so desired.
 From all the information .appearing from time to time in reputable insur ance journals it would appear that the opposite is true and that 1t is the purpose of the government to utilize the machinery of the legal reserve or
 old line" life insurance companies for the above mentioned purpose, for the reason that experience has shown that attempts by the state to conduct insurance. companies have proven eX- pensive failures
 The following article, which ap- peared in the Spectator magazine, issued July 19, 1917. gives what are probably the real facts in regard to furnishing insurance and pensions TOT soldiers, sailors, etc, and their 1aml- lies:
 Washington D. C., July IT, 1911.-
 A number of plans for the insurance of soldiers and sailors have been sup mitted to Secretary of the treasury | McAdoo for consideration in formulat- l ing a comprehensive protection TOT
 the dependents of those who go to the front, and it is possible that a bill covering this matter will be in troduced in congress within a few | days. =
 "Insurance men have laid before the
 secretary plan which, at first glance,
 seems to be readily practicable, and II
 is probable that this, or a modlflca :
 ton of some of its features, may be l incorporated in the bill. This plan 1 nrovides for the assumption py the | insurance bureau to be created by the government. of the insurance on extra hazardous risks Under it soldiers
 and sailors would be insured by the companies at peace-time rates. III the event of the death of the man so insured the company would pay the amount he had paid in premiums and the government would pay the bene- ficiary the remainder of the amount | for which be was insured
 "As presented to the secretary ol ltreasury, this plan would not be limit Il ed to insurance only during the war
 but in peace times the employees in al
 branches of the government service
 would come under it's provlslons
 Thus revenue agents engaged m run ming down moonshiners. custom m
 spectors apprehending smugglers, ant
 til others engaged in tasks at all dan
 gerous would be entitled to protection bv the government The basis of thi scheme is the fact that, by assuming the burden of the insurance, the gov ernment cuts the cost to the employ' , and enables him to secure, at norma rates. insurance covering extra haz
 ardous risks The only argument tha . has thus far been brought against , | is that many man who Will ente the war service of the government . $3O q month will not be able to pa. I I the initial premium required for, say , a S5OOO policy, while a policy for smaller sum than this, in many cases would not be adequate protection t l his dependents.
 "This plan does not include tn l payment of insurance for disability and it will be necessary to work ou t an entirely different scheme for thi l class of protection. It has been sug f rested that a straight schedule fo 5 loss of feet, hands arms and eyes b 2 adopted; many insurance experts ar } of the opinion that this is the mos l feasible method, and there is som 5 likelihood of it's adoption.
 Tn working out this insuranc t there is every desire for haste; tn drafting of men for the army has al l. ready commenced, and it will be bu
 a few weeks before the first of thes