Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-14

The main purposes OF the bill are TO
provide a substitute for the present pen
sion law, as it would apply to men en-
gagged in this war; a new system OF ailot-
mems and compensations which viii pro-
vide for dependents Of the soldier and re-
habilitate men on their return from the
war.
Upon enlistment under the provisions OF
the bill a soldier or sailor would be en-
titled to take out from $1,000 to slooo
worth of optional insurance at approx
mately IS per $1,000. His dependents would
be entitled to allotments from the govern
ment of from IS to $50 per month an equal
amount up to SIS per month from his pay
Death or total disability resulting, the
dependents of any person in the military
or naval service including women mem
bers of the nurse corps, would be entitled
to compensation ranging from SD to :"
per month and the insurance.
In case Of total disability the injured
persons would be paid from So to 500
per month.
Elimination of the committee compen-
sation provisions came unexpectedly. NO
serious opposition to them was promised
until Representative Black OF Texas sud
denly began assailing the salary basis
proposal as a most undemocratic thing TO
impose upon an army fighting for DEM
ocracy. He quickly won supporters and
his proposal to eaualize the benefits of
all classes was adopted almost unani-
mously.
Compensation increases
The bill also was amended to in
crease compensations for all depend
ents about IS per cent. The new
rates per month adopted were Widow,
s35; one child, s45: two children. $3.50
and an additional S. for each child up
to four.
one motherless child So two, sS5;
three, $45. and SO additional for each
child up to five.
A widowed mother would receive $50
a month and no family allowance
would exceed s75 month. Under the
original draft of the bill the compen-
sation for officers dependents might
have gone as high as $500 month.
The change in the measure was
marked by great enthusiasm on the
POI I VI every IIlpIilbel vi TIE llcoT "a
cept few committeeman.
An amendment. to provide that
widows marrying soldiers or sailors
within 10 years of the date of the in
jury should he entitled to the regu-
lar compensation was also adopted.
widows compensation would cease
upon her re-marriage dependent
child's would cease at IS years of age.
Monthly Benefits
Monthly benefits to a soldier or sail
or in case of total disability would be
as follows
If he has neither wife nor child liv-
ing, $40; wife, SIS; wife and one child.
S65; two or more children, SIS; no wife
but one child. $50; and $40 additional
for each child up to two; dependent
widow and mother, SO additional.
Injured men requiring nurse care
would receive an additional $50 month
ly.
MIN losing both feet hands or
eyes would be entitled automaticall
to 500 per month.
Amendment adopted would give
claimants 10 years instead of one in
which to file their claims for compen-
Sation; prevent divorced wives who
have re married from sharing in a de-
pcndents allowance. and eliminate pro-
posed salary increases for present en-
Tloyes Of the government who are to
administer certain provisions of the
measure.
Cost Of Application
Opinions differ as to the cost of an
lying the measure. The first wear an
preparation is s176,000, 900, but it is de-
clared by some that this will not he
nearly enough. Representative Gillett
OF Massachusetts,, acting Republican
leader. declared today the second wear
cost Of administration probably would
be near s2,000.OOO,0 600
Inc measure is not complete in re-
srect TO its rehabilitation feature. Pro-
vision merely is made for rehabilita-
ticn, and the details will be worked ont
later.