The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-06-30
INSURANCE FOR SOLDIERS
Companies to Confer With Secretary
McAdco Next Week.

McAdco Next Week.
Washington, d. c., June e.
Government life insurance for the Of
iicers and men of the United States
army and navy who serve in France
will be discussed at a conference OF
life Insurance experts to be held at
the office of Secretary McAdoo here
July 2.
Tie secretary signed a call today on
The leading life insurance companies
doing business in the United States to
send representatives to the meeting,
This action was taken to overcome a
condition about which there has been
much complaint 1t has been found
practically impossible for men who ex-
pect to 90 to the firing line TO get in
surance. Old line companies decline
to write such risks owing to the haz-
ard due to submarines and the inten-
sive trench fighting that marks the
military operations in Europe.
Hitherto there has been only com
parative difficulty in getting insurance
for officers and men in the regular
army or navy. Rates have not been
considered unduly high, and but for
the Inconvenience OF the rule that
permits must be obtained for service
n tropical countries army men have
AIRED reasonably well at the hands of
he insurance companies. In addition
20 the opportunity TO take out insur-
lnce for the benefit of families of
army and navy men there has been
for the last ten years the further ad-
vantage of the benefit system main.
tanned by the Government which Of
fcefs and men are entitled, in case of
death in the line of duty, to pay
ment to their designated beneficiaries
of an amount equal to half their yearly
pay at the time OF death. lthis not
to alter or repeal the benefit
law, in arranging new insurance,
The war risk insurance bureau of
the Treasury Department, said Secre-
tary McAdoo, lis insuring the lives of
officers, and seamen of the
marine Of the United States,
and the question has arisen as to how
insurance on the Invest of the officers
and enlisted men of the army and
navy can be effected most advantage
Dusty. through an extension of the
powers OF the war risk insurance bur
eau or through the combined agency
Or cooperation of the life insurance
of the United States. 1t is
n ter utC OF tIaI
coming conference will prove of great |
value in determining the wisest policy |
% be adopted
This is a great problem, and ii APP |
Deals Immediately and instinctiyely to |
he highest thought and purpose of the |
Certainly everything pos |
iible, Should be done to give protection |
% those who are dependent upon the |
men who give their lives for their |
country. and to ameliorate the rigors |
md horrors Of war. No organized eff
ort has ever been made by any Gov
,rnment to provide this sort of protec-
ion and comforting assurance to its |
lighting men. Why should not Ameri. |
"a take the lead in this noble and |
humane action?
] earnestly hope that as a result of |
he measures thus minated a great |
system of insurance will be devised |
which will give to every officer, sol
lier, and sailor in the ser1 zee of the
United States the assurance that some
provision is made for the loved ones
lie leaves behind if he is called upon
n mako tho greatest sacrifice that a |
'atriot can make for his country"