The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1918-06-08

",
February II, 1913, automatic insur-
ance for approximately 1890 was pro-
-vided. Thus, Mrs. Ingraham will re-
celve total Of $45 per month from the
United States government. If her son
had applied for $4,000 of insurance
she would receive $77.5O a month. I'm
der the pension laws, section 47O7, Re-
vlsed Statutes, as amended by the act
of June ~, 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. Other letters
are vivid and moving tributes to the
governments iberality and justice.
Keeps Home Fires Burning.
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance is
keeping the home fires burning. But
1t is doing more than that. It 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 go 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 a 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 fill
Ing and crOss-fling system, covering
every enlisted person in the nations
service, and this means millions of
o.
financial operations, thousands Of
awards, and thousands Of checks 60
ing out every month.
The bleak specter Of poverty, the
humiliation of charity, the silent suf-
fering of penniless pride-these are
eliminated by the government protec-
ton when the man is fighting. After
his fighting is over, government COM
pensation and government insurance
are then called upon to play their part
in the work of protection.
Persons who have business with the
Bureau of War Risk Insurance, as
benefciaries or otherwise, need not in
any circumstances employ claim
agents or provide lawyers. The Blu
reau of War Risk Insurance will cheer
fully furnish full legal advice and as
sistance. Secretary McAdOo has Wig
orOusly denounced the nefarious activ-
tiles of claim agents and others who
would prey upon dependents Of men
killed in battle by exacting unneces-
sary fees and requiring useless litiga-
lions.
Claims Paid Promptly.
Actual insurance checks, mailed to
the dependents Of soldier or sailor
who has been killed in battle or died
Of disease, involve very few complica-
lions making for delay. These insur-
ance claims are paid promptly after
death.
Uncle Sans war-risk insurance had
the ''selling" advantage of a very at
tractive rate, and also wide popular
interest reused by the contingencies of
war. Even so, certain amount of
work was necessary to roll up large
body of policyholders. A very brief
experience during the first few weeks
demonstrated that educational work
was necessary-some well-organized
effort looking toward explanation, 50
that every soldier, sailor, marine,
nurse, and coast guard man would
know what might be obtained under
this law-that is to say, know their
rights.
Therefore, during the month Of Jan.
nary, men were detailed in every can.
torment and on every ship to under.
take the work of explanation. It was
found that hundreds of trained insur.
ance men were available in the army
and navy, and these, as well as Off
GERS interested in the welfare of theil
men, were arrayed for a general cam
pa1gn. Leaders in this movement
, were assembled at the War-Risk In
surance Bureau in Washington fol
three days instructions, returning tc
their posts all over the country pre-
pared to explain insurance in detail
A spirit of friendly rivalry was ere
ated among regiments and other unit:
of the fighting forces On land and sea
Many officers made It point of pride
to have every one Of the men under
them insured, very often to the entir,