The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-24
INSURANCE PLAN
FORU.S.F FIGHTERS
\ UP TO PRESIDENT

A comprehensive plan for insuring
American soldiers and sailors against
war risks will be put up to Congress dur
ing the present session, II It meets the
approval Of the President
The preIimlnaries Of such a plan have
been worked out by conference Of the
nations leading Insurance men with
Secretary Of the Treasury McAdoo and
other officials
The plan as tentatively drawn provides
4 separation allowance similar TO that
In Canada, indemnlfying the men and
their families against death and injuries.
and an arrangement whereby the men
in the military service could insure
themselves for from 1900 to $1,000 at
the usual peace time premium rates as
additional protection for their families.
The whole proposition is based on
the fundamental idea that the Gov
eminent should, as 4 matter Of Justice
and humanity, adequately protect its
fighting men on land and sea and
their dependent families.
II IL proposed to impose on the
public treasury the obligation Of in
Identifying Justly the men who have
entered, or are about 10 enter, the
American army and navy.
support of Dependents
Under the plan discussed, It is sug-
gested that provision be made for the
support of dependents OF soldiers and
sailors by giving them an allotment
out Of the pay of the men; and also an
allowance by the Government; that
officers and men be Unidentified
against death or total or partial dis
ability; that a system OF rehabilita-
tion and re-education OF disabled men
be inAugurated, and that the Govern
ment Insure the lives of sailors and
soldiers on their application at rates
OF premium based upon ordinary
risks.
The new system would be admin
istered by the Bureau OF Wer Risk
Insurance Of the Treasury Depart
msnt, which Is already writing war
risk insurance on masters, officers,
and crews OF American merchant yes
sells. and on American hulls and
earGoes,
" Dependents OF soldiers and sailors
In service would be provided for
through allotments from their pay,
supplemented by family allowances
by the Government The amount OF
the Government allowance would de-
pend upon the size Of the family, and,
upon the actual dependency upon the
men. The family allowance would be
made only II the soldier or sailor
makes an allotment for his depend
ents out Of his pay.
The risk of death or disability
would be compensated for somewhat
on the analogy Of workmen's compsn-
sation acts, with the compensation
measured By the mems services, the
size OF the families, and the loss to
the family. Partial disabilities would
be compensated for upon a percent
age Of the compensation for total dis
ability. The cost of this compsnsa-
tion must be paid wholly by the Gov
ssnment
From 81 900 to $4,000.
In addition to direct compensation
to take the place OF pensions. the
plan in contemplation would go furth-
ei and establish an insurance system
by the Government under which our
soldiers ana sailors could obtain in
surance at premium rates based upon
the mortality experience tables OF
peace times. The excess cost due to
increased mortality and disability
war risk should clearly be borne by
the Government, and the cost of ad
ministering the insurance department
for the benefit OF the nations fighting
men is also a proper Governmental
charge. The tentative plans would
provide for the Issuance OF insurance
to officers and men In amounts rang
ing from 81 900 to $4,000. with provi-
sion for payments in instAllments.
Death or total disability would ma
ture the insurance
In working out the new system, II |
e. AaAungA haN 90
.rs-edueGtion and rehabilitation be es-
.tablished, SO that injured men may |
be ftted as far as possible for lives |
OF usefulness either in their former
or some other vocations.