Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-08-24
Insuring Our Fighting Men.

The plan Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury McAdoo for life and indemnity insur-
ance for the soldiers and sailors of the
United States, after discussions by repre-
sentative insurance men and report on by
advisory committees, has been put In def
mite form and submitted to President Will
son.
The Presidents comment was as fol-
lows:
Il have examined the enclosed papers
very carefully and take pleasure in return
Ing them with my entire approval"
A bill has been introduced in Congress
along the lines suggested by the Secretary
Of the Treasury and approved by the Presi-
dent.
In essentials ii is proposed that the gov
eminent furnish at cost to the soldiers and
sailors Of the United States life and in
demnity insurance.
The main features Of the Secretary g
plan are that the government shall bear
all the cost Of the administration of the
insurance plan and that no expense of any
kind shall be charge on the funds created
by the payment Of premiums by the SOL
diers and sailors. Relieved of overhead
CHARGES. eight dollars a year for every
thousand dollars insurance will be an ade-
quate charge. under the plan. and this figure
viii put the maximum insurance of ten
thousand dollars within the reach of prac-
tcally every private soldier and sailor
Insurance in private companies would cost
many times this sum for men actually en-
Gagged in warfare.
After the war the insurance may be con-
verted into other forms. The insurance
is to be payable in installments, is nom
assignable and free from the claims Of
creditors Of the insured or Of the benef-
ciary. and is limited to the wife. children,
and other specified kindred.
Iftotal disability results or disease is
contracted in the course Of service, the
compensation is to be based on percentage
Of pay. with minimum. however, of from
forty to seventy-five dollars month &C.
cordins to the size Of the family. Partial
disabilities are to be computed on a basis
Of percentages Of total disability.
Medical, surgical and hospital treat
ments. supplies and appliances are to be
given.
Rehabilitation and re-education Of the
injured soldiers or sailors, fitting them for
lives Of activity and usefulness is part Of
the plan.
The plan also contemplates free allow
ances to the families Of soldiers and sail
ors. the government experimenting the
sums set aside by the soldiers and sailors
out Of their wages.
The insurance is not to be gift of the
government, but Is to be paid for out Of
the pay OF the insured men. The govern
ment, however. is to take upon itself the
cost Of collecting and administering the
funds and also the extra hazard caused by
the war. the rate Of eight dollars per thous-
and being normal rate in peace time and
an entirely inadequate rate for war risk.
The workman's compensation laws and
the experiences of the insurance compa.
MES in this country and the laws and ex-
periences Of other countries have been
studied and used in the preparation Of this
bill.
Secretary McAdoo emphasizes the JUS
tice and rightfulness Of such function Of
the government by citing the fact that in
this war we are not relying upon the volun-
teer system but are drafting American
men and compelling them to undergo dan
ger and. II Necessary. make the supreme
sacrifice for their country. A higher OBJ
LEGATION, he says. therefore rests upon the
government not only towards the fightinl
men but towards those dependent on them
and just, generous and humane govern.
ment should see to 1t that so far as |.
practicable they should be given this pro
lection. not as a matter Of mercy or charity
but as a matter Of right. And that they
should enter into the service Of their coun-
try with the certain knowledge that II
death or misfortune comes to them they
and their dependents are protected by in.
surance afforded them by their govern.
ment as part Of the compensation for the
service they are rendering their country.
In conclusion, Secretary McAdoo points
out that while this plan may call for con
siderable expenditures at present. yet the
eventual cost to the government of thi,
plan win be very much less than thai
which would result from the adherence t
the present pension program Of the coun.
try. and, further, that the pension system
will not provide the same benefits nor
cover the subject in the same comprehen.
sive. humane and equitable way.
There is no use to which the funds de
rived from the sale of Liberty Loan Bonds
can be put which will be more cordially
approved by the people Of the country
than to provide this just and deserved
protection to the men who are Drawing al
the dangers Of this war on land and sea
In the service Of their country.