The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-23
PLAN TO INSURE
IT'S FIGHTING NE n
Government Experts Working on Plan
Which VIII Be Better Than
Pensions According to
Officials.
PROVIDE FOR FAMILIES
Government Itself Said to Be Best
Fitted to Furnish Additional
Insurance for Its
Men.

Assistant Secretary Of Commerce
Sweet In reply to inquiries from the
council OF national defense prepared
the following letter in regard to sys-
tenn Of life and accident insurance to
be carried by the national government
in lieu of pensions; and to provide adj
ditional insurance for soldiers and
sailors at moderate rates:
The best interests Of the country at
large, as well as justice to those en-
gagged in war service and their de-
jpendents, demand that provision for
insurance be made and that, like other
war provisions, it be made with as
little delay as possible.
By the act of congress approved
September I, 1916, provision was made
for the compensation OF all civilian
employees of the United States and OF
the Panama Railroad company in the
event Of disability or death incurred
in the performance OF duty, and more
than three-fourths of the states have
enacted worknen's compensation
laws for a similar purpose. The bene-
fetal effects and wisdom of such laws
ARE almost universally recognized
both by employers and employees, and
the principle upon which they rest is
now recognized as valuable acqui-
sition to our public policy. Our sol
diers and sailors should have not only
the full benefit of this protective prin-
ciple, but the greater hazard Of their
service, its vital importance, and their
inability to buy insurance except at
rates which in many cases would be
iprohibitive, emphasizes the duty OF
the government to make proper pro-
vision for them and their dependents.
Provision In Advance.
That such provision should be made
In advance seems to me equally clear.
This is departure from our policy in
former wars, but experience has
shown the error OF the tardy, erratic,
and expensive policy OF the past sys-
TEN OF pensions. A dollar at the
right time is worth more than two at
the wrong time; belated generosity
is poor substitute for timely action.
Soldiers and sailors fully understand
the dangers Of their employment and
are entitled to know that suitable
provision has been made for their de-
pendents and for themselves in the
event Of death, captivity, or disability
and should not be left to guess that
the right thing will be done after the
war Is over. We are preparing to
spend money without stint for the
equipment OF our army and navy. This
lis as 1t should be, but IL we neglect to
give our soldiers and sailors the con-
tented minds and the zest fer patriotic
service that comes from the knowi-
edge that their government has done
its full duty, we fail to provide the
81 af1-fhn
morale which will make our defenders
fnvincible.
Before a definite, workable plan can
no devised many details must be con-
sidered and an opportunity should be
given to those engaged in the insur-
ance business, TO representatives of
the army and navy, and others inter
ested to fully express their views so
that the subject may be carefully con-
sidered from every possible angle. In
form alton has been requested as to
what provisions along this line have
been made by the other leading ma
lions engaged in the war and this
may be Of service.
General Plan Outlined.
It IS, however, possible at this time
&c suggest the general outlines OF
plan for consideration and construc-
tive criticism. I believe there should
he created. in connection with one OF
the existing executive departments OF
the government. a soldiers and sail
ors' indemnity bureau, with compe-
tent man of insurance experience at
It's head: that the necessary actuarial
and clerical assistance should be Dro-