The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-07-19
U. s, WILL insure
ALL ITS FIGHTERS
Experts Devising Plan to Com
uensate For Injuries In War.
Benefit FOR DEPENDENTS

Scheme Will Make It a Tax on tho
Whole People, Says Insurance Man.
The Treasury, War, Navy and Conn.,
merce Departments Are Working on
It to Avoid Evils Of Pension System.
Following a conference in Washing
ton with Secretary Of the Treasury
McAdoo, a committee of prominent in
surance men have drawn up plan for
pensions or compensation for casual |
ties in the war, which will be submit |
ted to congress-
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 we'll as
the Council of National Defense. 1t
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, us inter-
ested in putting something through in
this matter that will be happy solu-
ton of difficult problem. It decided
| to appoint a 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 a 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 death ben
eft for the dependents of those who
succumb in action.
| To Avoid Evils of Old System.
1.-The government, you see, is very
eager to do something to avoid pen
sioning as it has formerly existed, to
| avoid the evils Of the old pension sys-
tenn What it wants to work out is
compensatory insurance. Age has moth
ing to do with it. 1t isn't life insur-
ance.
"Of course the companies might have
gone into a pool or bureau, and the
government would be sending out
checks after proof, but the great desire
now is to simplify the whole matter.
I'm short, it is proposed to put the
pension plan on a workman's compen-
sation basis. OF course it is up to
congress, but think it will go right
through without hitch. Mr.. McAdoo
stated what was wanted Oh 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 a great deal OF 1nsur-
ance is carried.
'sThe government and the representa-
tives are in cooperation to develop the
simplest possible plan, such one as
, is being carried out by big business
through the workmen's compensation.
'"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 bt
matter Of compensation by install
ments.
Will Be Tax on Whole People.
- 1.-The principle Of the workmen's com
y pensation is being recognized by tn
United States in this war. The gov
:; eminent says: We'll meet the neces
sary tax to compensate, and it will b.
a tax on the whole people. 1t will b.
lust the same as if the problem aros
d in bridge factory, a shoe factory o
O on a railroad. Well tax ourselves
Il Here's a whole army going up agains
J. these hazards. and some must NEE
h them
"Such acceptance of this principl
amounts to social evolution.
- would be a victory to have it accept
ed without debate, and with this con
pensation principle granted and accep
I ed the ground is covered for this wa
~ It will help volunteering, for the 70
~ unteers nearly all have dependents an
~ the drafted have not. It simply show
u what a great democracy does for l
y self in this emergency.
IT, "Such a system would suppleme1
V, a soldiers per diem. His dependent
al would get his compensatory damage
It That is why the government wan
the plan crystallized in advance. II
III plan will probably be uniform, wit
ce out regard to previous occupation"
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