The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-19

and for re-education of the maimeC
and disabled man. so that he may take
up a new occupation and make him.
self useful member of society. We
must restore their efficiency and ad-
Just their still available faculties and
functions to suitable trades and voca-
tions. which tho injuries Of the battle
field have not wholly destroyed. The
heavy depletions in man-power result
ing from this conflict, which is with
out precedent In history or imagina-
tion. will place new and greater val
ues upon all forms and degrees of hu-
man energy, and demand as a first
duty Of intelligent government that
every remaining useful sense and limb
OF the blind and crippled shall be re-
claimed under the benevolent pro-
cess Of education and reapplied to
economic uses for the benefit of So
ciety. The millions we shall be called
upon to spend to support the de-
pendents Of the soldiers while they
are In the lighting line. for indemni-
ties and for re-education Of the Grip
pied. are In the last analysis invest
ments Of the best sort: they are sums
Of capital advanced by the nation to
promote utility, self-respect and eco
nomic development. More than all,
they are essentially Humanitarian and
In the highest sense a discharge by
the government of an essential duty
to society.
Military service is now obligatory;
those who imperil themselves have no
election. The insurance companies
do not and cannot permit this fact to
AFFECT their calculations. They must
protect themselves by charging prem
iums so high that they are secured
against loss no matter how severe the
rate Of mortality may be. Consequent
ly. the very men who are called into
the service because their physical
condition is Of the best and who as
civilians would for that reason be able
to secure the most favorable insur-
ance rate In peace time, are denied
as soldiers the necessary life insur-
ance to enable them to protect their
families and dependents. The tremen-
dous rates charged by. private insur-
ance companies to protect them
against the extra hazardous risks of
war put insurance entirely beyond the
reach Of the conscripted soldier.
Military necessity has. therefore,
subjected. the most fit subjects for in
surance to an unsurmountable dis
unless the government it.
self supplies insurance at cost and up
on a peace basis. It would, in fact,
be dastardly and undemocratic IL the
government should penalize the SOL
der who IA forced to render the high
est duty Of the citizen by it's failure
to provide war insurance upon peace
terms and at net cost. first, because
the pay Of the enlisted men in the
army and navy Is less than the wages
and salaries generally earned in pri-
vate life. which reduces their invest
ing capacity; and. second. because
govtrnment insurance is an essential
war and emergency measure. inaugu-
rated for the specific benefit of our
military forces. and cannot and should
not be conducted for profit.
Such overhead charges as agents
commissions. advertising. promotion.
local rentals. etc.. are eliminated. The
government must assume the cost of
administering this benevolent agency.
Just as 1t bears the cost of administer
ing all othed government agencies es.
tablished for the benefit of the pco-
pie.
This legislation will be a great STEP
Onward in the recognition of the
republics duty to It's heroes. I consid
er 1t the most significant and pro.
gressive measure presented to con-
gress since the declaration Of war. 1t
Immediately affects the well-being O!
a greater number Of persons than any
act with which I am familiar. 1t de-
serves the earnest and vigorous sup
port Of the country. 1t provides the
broadest and the most liberal protec-
tion ever extended by any govern
ment to its fighting forces and their
dependent families. The United States,
the most progressive and prosperous
nation on earth. setting an example In
the ideals for which enlightened hu-
manity is fighting. should set the high
est example Of all the nations in the