Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-01

sion be made for support Of dependents
of soldiers and sailors by giving them
an allotment out OF the pay Of the men
and also an allowance from the gov
eminent: that officers and men be in
demnffied against death or total or
partial disability; that a system of re-
Mobilization and re-education OF dis
abled men be inaugurated; and that
the government insure the lives OF
soldiers and sailors.
The new system would be. admin
istered by the bureau Of war risk in
surance of the treasury department,
which already is writing war risk in
surance on masters, officers, and crew
of American merchant vessels and on
American hulls and cargoes.
Double Aid For Dependents.
Dependents of soldiers and sailors IN
service would be provided FOR thru al
lotments from their pay, supplemented
by family allowances by the govern
ment. The amount of the government
allowance would depend upon the size
of the family, as to others than the
wife and children. and upon the actua.
dependency upon the men. The family
allowance would be made only if the
soldier or sailor makes an allotment
for his dependents out of his pay.
The risk of death or disability would
be compensated for somewhat on the
analogy OF workmen's compensation
acts. with the compensation measured
by the mems service, the size of the
families, and the loss to the family.
Partial disability would be compen-
stated for upon a percentage OF the
compensation for total disability. The
cost OF this compensation, naturally,
must be paid wholly by the govern
ment.
Peace Premiums For Men.
In addition 10 direct compensation TO
take the place of pensions. the plan in
contemplation would go further. and
establish an insurance system by the
government under which soldiers and
sailors could obtain insurance al
premium rates based upon the mortal
ity experience tables Of peace times
The excess cost due to increased
mortality and disability war risk. it IS
urged, should clearly be borne by the
government and the cost OF admin
steering the insurance department for
the benefit OF the nations fighting men
also is regarded as a proper govern
mental charge.
The tentative plans would provide
for the issuance Of insurance to Off
GERS and men in amounts ranging from
$1,000 to $4,000, with provisions Tor
payments n instalments. Death of
total disability would mature the in
surance.
In working out the new system it is
deemed essential that a system for re-
education and rehabilitation be estab-
lished, SO that injured men may be-
fitted as far as possible for lives of
usefulness, either in their former or
some other vocation.
Aid Is Nations Duty.
This new idea" the treasury de-
partment statement says. proposes TO
impose on the public treasury the OBJ
legation of indemnifying justly the men
who have entered or are about to en-
ter the army or navy to Aght in the
cause Of liberty. With our men on the
soil of France and hundreds Of thou
sands Of others about to enter the
service Of their country, the question Is
one Of business and fairness, and the
plan should be as liberal as It Is pos
sible for a just and generous republic
to make"
The council Of national defense took
up the problem thru the committee on
labor of its advisory commission.
headed by Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation OF Labor.
Judge Julian ". Mack, Frederick l.
Hoffman. James w. Sullivan, James
Lord. and r. Spencer Baldwin. consti-
tuting the section on compensation for
enlisted men and their dependents Of
the labor committee. have worked on
the plans.