The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-19


$3.50 and leave the man $13 a month
for spending money.
If there are more children or If
there is dependent father. the gov
eminent would give up to $50 a month
in all over and above what the sol
der himself allots to them from his
$33 a month pay.
These are some of the reasons why
the venerable speaker of the House
terms the insurance bill as the best
war bill. but this "fatherly" measure
makes other provisions for it's soldiers
and sailors.
There are many men who will go
abroad who will not have dependents
at home. To instill thrift and to pre-
vent jealousies and also to keep down
the flow of pocket money in a coun-
try where soldiers are not paid as
much as they are here, the bill ar
ranges for soldiers and sailors saw
1ngs fund. The government will com
pei men to deposit in this fund as
much of their half pay as is not AZ
lotted to the family. This will draw
4 per cent interest, compounded semi
annually. This compulsory measure,
however, will not work to the dis
advantage of a man who has obliga-
tons over and above his family al
lotment. for he will be allowed to take
care of any real obligations he has.
In reality the compulsory deposit or
money from the enlisted mans pay is
great aid -toward the wide accept
Nf ~
OLD PENSION SYSTEM
The compensation system does away
with the old and time-worn pension
system. 1t is built on the modern lines
of workmens compensation, This sec
ton covers officers and enlisted men
and members of the nurse corps when
employed by the ARMY and navy 1t
provides for a carefully graded sys-
tenn of compensations for death and
for disability. The schedule for death
provides compensation for a widow
of $35 a month; for a widow and one
child, $45; for a widow and two chill
dren, $3.50 with SIS for additional
child up to two. For no widow, but
one child, $40; for two children, $35;
for three children, s45l and for each
additional child UP to two, $40 apiece
additional. For a widowed mother. $50.
til the widow dies or remarries and
the children cease to receive compen-
sation when they reach the age of 18,
except in the case of children incap.
able of self-support because of phys
ical or mental infirmity.
FOR DISABILITY
Compensations for disability incurred
in the service are provided for on
exactly the same principle. The bill
says:
IF and while the disability is to-
tai, so as to make 1t impractical BILE
for the injured person to pursue any
gainful occupation. the monthly COM
pensation shall be the following
amounts:
"(a) If he has neither wife nor
child living, $40.
cob If he has a wife but no child
living, $55.
"{c) If he has wife and one child
living, s65.
"(d) If he has a wife and two or
more children living, SIS.
"(e) If he has no wife but one child
living. $50 with $40 for each additional
child up to two
"(f) If he has a widowed mother
substantially dependent upon him for
support then. in addition to the
above, $40.
ITO an injured person who is total
ly disabled and in ADDITION. SO help
less as to be in constant need of a
nurse or attendant. such additional
sum shall be paid. but not exceeding
$50 month as the director of the
insurance may deem reasonable.
Provided, however, that for the loss
OF both feet or both eyes, or from be-
coming totally blind from causes in
Cured In the service Of the United States,
the compensation shall be 500 a month"
1t should be rememb cred that the fore
going schedule is for complete disability.
IT and while the disability is partial the
monthly compensation shall be per-
centage of the compensation which would
be payable for total disability, equal to
the degree of the reduction in earning
capacity.
ALL ARE EQUAL
Everyone is on the same footing in the
compensation schedule. The original bill
had a lower minimum schedule and a
percentage system based on rank and
pay. The House of Representatives in a
frenzy of democracy tore this to pieces
and substituted higher rate Of compen-
sation, but made the private and the COL
onel all in the same class. Officers
and enlisted men are treated alike for
wounds, death or disability in the bill as
it is now before the Senate. Representa-
tive Eugene Black of Texas is RESPONSE
Bile for the wiping out Of all class lines
in the bill. The Texan proposed the
equality amendment and to the surprise
of the committee members It swept the
House.
Contrasting the present system with
the proposed compensation laws, it will
be seen that a totally disabled man now
would receive a lump sum, regardless
of the size of his family.
For examine sllnp0so NOV io fatally
disabled and has neither wife nor child.
He would receive $40 month, and as he
probably would require a nurse or an
attendant he would get $50 a month
more for her. If later he marries his
monthly compensation would be increased
by s15 and If he has children his
monthly compensation will be boosted
SO month for each of the first two
children-a possible maximum of sos a
month.
Under the present system and under
the proposed system he would be entitled
to medical treatment and artificial
limbs His monthly compensation would
not be affected by any increased earn
ings. He could set UP store or take
employment of any small sort
The advantage Of the proposed COM
now in force are striKingly illustrated
in the case Of death.
If the man referred to In the foregoing
illustration should die as the result of his
injuries, leaving a wife, two children
and widowed mother the pension laws
would allow from $16 to $24 a month.
Under the proposed system of graded
compensations the family would receive
49,. so.