Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-02
DISABILITY PAY INEQUALITIES
WILL BE TOLD TO CONGRESS
Soldiers of World War In Some Gases Get
Less Than Half Allowed for Men
Injured in Earlier Wars

Inequalities in the compensation OF
soldiers totally or partially disabled
in the war with Germany are to re-
ceive the attention of the present. Con-
gress, the pay in some cases being
less than half of that allowed the
men injured in earlier wars
For example, there are fifteen forms
of partial disability that under the
present law. cannot pay in excess of
$50 a month. which, under the old
pension system, would pay the SOL
der injured in the service Of his
country from $31 to SIS. a month.
A Case in Point.
John Doe, who lost leg at Santi-
ago, Cuba, receives a compensation of
$55 month. But Richard Poe, who
left perfectly good foot in the Ar
gonne forest. gets only $18 a month.
Following the civil war and during
the Spanish American war Uncle Sam
held that the sacrifice Of one arm and
leg entitled the loser to $50 month
from the government. but in 1917 and
1918 he fixed the price at maximum
of $50. AS living expenses have about
reduction Of about IS per cent.
The old pension law held that the
loss of both feet, or both hands. or
loss of both eyes deserved a compen-
gress put these three provisions into
the new act adding fourth which
gave 500 a month to the soldier
totally disabled and bedridden. But
it made no such provision for the man
totally disa bled in other ways but
not bedridden.
AS result some distressing situa-
tions have arisen. There is the case
of soldier who lost both feet just
above the ankle. who gets 500
affect his earning capacity as an ex-
pert stenographer. Another soldier,
however, lost the right leg above the
knee and the right arm at the shoulder.
so that he cannot even use crutch. He
is totally disabled, but under the pres
ent law $50 a month is all that can
be paid him.
Other men have been totally dis
abled by gas. which destroyed their
lungs, by tuberculosis contracted
after they entered the Army. or by
wounds and shocks which shattered
mind as we'll as body. but they do
not come in the 500 a month class.
There is one instance of a linotype
operator who had three fingers Of one
hand taken off by shell fragment.
his trade and necessitating learning
a new one. The present law would
allow him 10 per cent of his basic
rate of compensation. or $3.50
month. But so manifestly unjust
was this that to cover such cases
the bureau of war risk insurance read
into the act an Interpretation pro-
viding for Temporary total disabil-
ity." under which a soldier disquali-
fled from following his trade may
receive $50 a month until he learns
a new trade.
Workmen's Act as Model.
as their model the workmen's compen-
sation act as written into the statutes
of several states. in which the COM
pensation for partial disability is based
on the wage which the injured man re-
ceived. The law originally fixed the
basic rate of compensation for the
soldier at s35 month and the Senate
reduced that to $50 month. where it
now stands. But the cases are not
parallel because the workman must
pay for his food and clothes out of his
wage. whereas the soldier receives these
in addition to his cash pay. To put
the soldier on the same basis with the
unskilled laborer his basic rate Of COM
pensation should be SOS a month, it is
argued.
The only case under which the basic
rate of compensation can be above
| $40 a month under the present law is
| one in which the injured soldier has
a family. In such a case SIS addi-
tional is allowed for the wife, SO for
the first child. $3.50 for the second
| and IS each for each additional child
Such a condition, however. would add to
! the soldiers troubles. In the case of
| the linotype operator already men
/ toned, if he had a wife and three de-
pendent children his basic rate Of
compensation would be $3.50 month
| He would draw that sum while per-
| mitted to receive a total disability
| compensation, but would get only IS
per cent of the amount, or $1,000. for
permanent relief.
| Although the administration of the
| act falls to the Treasury Department,
! the War and Navy departments are