Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-19

The necessity of making adequate
provisions for the maintenance in rea-
sonable comfort Of the
Taking Care dependents of the men
- c.Ia;. enlisted or drafted into
VI SoAoes. the United States Army
ana Navy is apparent to all. In order to
devise a satisfactory system to take care
OF dependents. common sense dictates
that the United States should study the
experiences Of the other belligerent
countries in dealing with this impor-
tant question, SO as to avoid the mis-
takes made and to adopt the commend
able features.
Such an investigation has been made
by an expert appointed by the Secre-
tary of Labor, who visited Canada to
study the methods there adopted for
insuring the lives of soldiers and car
ing for their dependents.
1t was found as a result Of the in
vestfgation that payments are made to
dependents of an enlisted man while he
Is in the service. and also after his
discharge. In the first instance, the
four sources: First. enlisted men (not
ofhcers) are required to assign at least
one-half of their monthly pay, but not
more than twenty days. pay each
month: second. the Canadian govern
ment grants to dependents a separation
allowance. based on the rank of the
soldier. as follows: Privates, $50; SER
geants. SIS: warrant officers and lieu
tenants. $40; captains. $40: majors. $50;
lieutenant colonies, SEQ. This is a fat
allowance. irrespective of the needs of
the beneficiary. Third, in certain To-
calfties in Canada families of enlisted
men are protected by life insurance,
the premiums on which are paid by the
n uyh id h.
sided at the time he enlisted.
The study showed that in all cities
except Toronto the policies have been
issued by private companies domiciled
fourths Of the insurance is carried by
the municipality. The face of each pol
ICY is $1,000. and the protection runs
from the time Of enlistment to the
death or the soldier, or six months after
his discharge or resignation. At the
time of this investigation $42.2s7. 900 of
insurance was outstanding in Toronto,
OF which the city carried $32.2s7, 900. At
ed to $1,738.000. of which the city of
Toronto had paid $s30,o0o. In most
cases the amount Is paid to beneficiaries
In monthly installments of $50 each,
and the city allows interest at the rate
OF 81 per cent per annum on the un-
paid balance.
The fourth source, 1t was found,
from which beaeiciaries may receive
assistance is the Canadian patriotic
fund. incorporated for the purpose of
rendering financial assistance to the
dependent relatives of men enlisted in
active service with the military and
naval forces of the British empire and
its allies"
Although receiving the cooperation
OF the government and having its ac-
counts audited by the auditor general.
the organization is not directed nor its
funds dispersed by the government.
These funds are supplied by voluntary
contributions from annual grants made
by some Of the provinces of Canada and
by grants from cities. counties and sim
liar subdivisions
In the case of voluntary contribu-
tions. each locality raises Its own
fund. but does not disburse 1t. the
amount being deposited in a bank sub
ject to the withdrawal only on author
ity of the head office. By effective su-
pervision. 1t is stated. the greatest
economy of administration has resulted
and practically every cent collected
from contributors has gone or will go
to the relief of dependents. the inter-
est allowed upon deposits taking care
OF the administrative expense.
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