Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-07-17
U. S. Will INSURE I
/ ALL ITS FIGHTERS

sHPVssO OVvsVsls6 sSu ~ VOsh
Oensat8 For Injuries In War.
BENEF|T FOR DEPENDENTS
schsme Will Make Il Tax on the
Whole People, Says Insurance Man.
The Treasury, War, Navy and Com.
,nercs Departments Are Working on
Il to Avoid Evils Of Pension System.
Following conference In Washing
ton with Secretary of the Treasury
McAdoo, a committee Of prominent in
surance men have drawn up a plan for
pensions or compensation for casual
ties in the war, which will be submit
ted to congress. ..lt
The details are to be worked out In
cooperation with the secretary Of the
treasury and officials of the war, navy
and commerce departments, as well as
the Council OF National Defense. It
was said they will conform as closely
as possible to the principle of the work.
mems compensation law.
To give some idea to soldiers, their
families and the public Of what the
government, aided by the insurance
men, was trying to work out, the head
of one OF, the large companies, who
deprecated any idea of self advertise
ment and therefore did not wish to be
quoted by name, outlined the basis on
which the experts are working.
"The government" he said, lis inter-
ested in putting something through In
this matter that will be a happy solu-
ton Of a difficult problem. Undecided
to appoint committee of actuaries,
with the agreement that the insurance
companies would help the government.
1t Is not life insurance that is sought.
It Is casualty insurance or, better still.
It is compensatory insurance.
'That Uncle Sam is great big EN-
ployer was the idea finally agreed on by
the insurance and casualty chemists
down in Washington, and the proposed
insurance. will in effect be a death benz
eft for the dependents Of those who
succumb in action.
To Avoid Evils Of Old System.
'The government, you see, Is very
eager to do something to avoid pen
sioning as 1t has formerly existed, to
avoid the evils Of the old pension sys-
tenn. What 1t wants to work out IL
compensatory insurance. Age has moth
ing to do with II. 1t isn't life insur-
ance.
course the companies might have
gone into pool or q bureau, and the
government would be sending out
checks after proof, but the great desire
now is to simplify the whole matter.
''In short, It is proposed to put the
pension plan on workman's compen-
sation basis. OF course 1t is up to
congress, but think it viii go right
through without hitch. Mr.. McAdoo
stated what was wanted on behalf OF
the president, and the companies are
willing to lend to the government their
expert service, their statistics. etc.
They have very recent statistics from
Canada, where great deal OF insur-
ance is carried
''The government and the representa-
tives are in cooperation to develop the
simplest possible plan, such a one as
is being carried out by big business
through the workmen's compensation.
1.-THE workmen's compensation law
interposes between the workmen and
the hazards Of labor. BY this plan
It is desired to interpose between the
soldier and the hazards of war. The
plan when finally worked out may be
varied, according to the condition OF
the family Of a soldier. 1t might be
q matter Of compensation by INSTALL
ments.
Will Be q Tax on Whole People.
.4The principle Of the workmen's COM
pensation is being recognized by the
United States In this war. The gov
eminent says: Wen meet the neces-
sary tax to compensate, and 1t will be
a tax on the whole people. 1t will be
just the same as II the problem arose
I'm bridge factory, shoe factory or
on railroad. Well tax ourselves.
Here's whole army going up against
these hazards, and some must meet
tR>m.'
ID acceptance Of this principle
al -s.nts to u social evolution. 1t
would be victory to have it accept
ed without debate, and with this COM
pensation principle granted and accept
ed the ground is covered for this war.
1t will help volunteering, for the vol
unteers nearly all have dependents and
the drafted have not. 1t simply shows
what a great democracy does for 1t.
self in this emergency.
'.'Such a system would supplement
q soldiers per diem. His dependents
would get his compensatory damages.
That is why the government wants
the plan crystallized In advance. The
plan will probably be uniform. with
out regard to previous occupation"
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