The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1918-06-15

ent act was discussed, 1t was stated
that $5S thousand was the lowest fig
ure at which any insurance company
could afford to accept soldiers and sail
ors as risks, and that only for one year.
Thus, $4,000 life insurance, which I'M
der the government system would cost
a soldier twenty-six years old 5000,
would cost about $3.50 with a private
insurance company. This disparity is
largely explained by the governments
liberality in itself assuming all the ad-
ministrative costs and the extra war
hazards.
SuppIants Pension System.
The entire system of protection af-
forded by the government is, in the
words of major general in the army,
an element Of victory in the present
war. Families provided for means
fighters unafraid.
The difference between the old pen
sion system and the modern system
which has supplanted it is clearly
demonstrated by the case of Mrs. Bet
ty Ingraham, 4O3 Third street, Plat
City, Ala, the first woman to receive
a check from the Bureau of War-Risk
Insurance for a soldier or sailor killed
in action in the present war. Her son,
Gunner's Mate Osmond Kelly Ingra-
ham, was killed October Is, 1917, when
the U. S. S. Cassin was attacked by
German submarine.
Under the terms of the military and
naval insurance act, Mrs. Ingraham,
being widowed mother dependent up
on her son for support, will receive $40
per month, as long as she lives, unless
she remarries. Furthermore, she is
entitled to $25 month for 24O months
under the insurance provision of the
act. Her son had not made specific
application for insurance, but up to
February II, 1918, automatic insur-
ance for approximately s., 800 was pro-
vided. Thus, Mrs. Ingraham will re-
ceive total Of $45 per month from the
United States government. If her son
had applied for $4,000 of insurance
she would receive $77.50 a month. IN
der the pension laws, section 4707, Re
vised Statutes, as amended by the act
Of June q, 1890, Mrs. Ingraham would
have been entitled to $12 a month.
Such is the chasm between the old and
the new.
The vast amount of correspondence
which comes to the Bureau Of War
Risk Insurance is stepped in human in
terest. Stories of heroism and lofty
patriotism are found by the thousands
in the letters received at the bureau.
Many mothers and fathers have re-
turned checks sent to them by the gov
eminent. declaring that the govern
ment needs the money at this crucial
hour to win the war.
Keeps Home Fires Burning.
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance Is
keeping the home fires burning. But
it is doing more than that. 1t is keep
ing Americas fighting forces confident
and treasured.
A "bluejacket" on one of the battle
ships after signing the application for
$4,000 Of government insurance, drop
ped his pen and said:
II have taken care Of my family ;
now can 60 out and fight like blazes."
Thousands Of families throughout
the country are directly and vitality af-
fected by the allotment and allowance
feature of the war insurance law. Ev-
cry married enlisted man in the army
and navy must allot from his pay (ev-
cry month) at least SIS month, and
not more than half his pay, toward the
support Of his wife and children. To
this allotment the government adds
certain allowances, depending upon
the size Of the family. In addition,
the enlisted man may make some
further provision for other relatives,
and in case of dependency the govern
ment will add certain allowances.
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance,
therefore, must keep a tremendous fl
ing and cross-filing system, covering