Evening star., 1919-04-09

and also the compensation allowed
under the war risk insurance act. A
first lieutenant in the National Army,
who has lost his leg below the knee,
will receive the compensation under the
war risk insurance act. approximately
$50 month.
Criticism Aroused.
This discrimination has aroused
much criticism. Members of Con-
gress are delving into the question to
see what can be done in the matter
They contend that an officer taken
from civil life. who has given leg in
the cause Of his country and must rest
under such a disability for the rest of
his life. is entitled to just as much
compensation from his government as
s the officer of the Regular Army who
also has lost leg. The provisions
of the law granting retired pay to
,tiicers of the Regular Army who make
the Army life work are not under
fire. There Is no desire to retire Off
e~s of the National Army on three
quarters pay who have come out of
the war practically unscathed. But
where a man has been seriously
MANNED and must be handicapped the
rest of his life, there is a desire that
the same treatment be accorded him
whether he happens to be an officer Of
the Regular Army. the National Guard
n the National Army.
Under the war risk insurance act as
it stands 500 a month is paid for
permanent total disability incurred
both hands, both feet, both eyes. or
has become totally blind or is bedrid
den, he is regarded as totally dis
abled. But the basic rate for lesser
disability is $40, and the rates vary
from $50 down. according to the dis
l.. I-s
re not sufficient to provide for the
reeds OF the manned officers and SOL
liers. The rates allowed for disability
# soldiers in other wars of the
United States. under the pension laws,
re considerably higher.
Cases Judged on Merits.
No fixed schedule has been estab-
ished by the war risk insurance bu-
n of leg and arm. or other dis
-bility. Each case is judged on its
merits, and disability compensation is
flowed on the basis of $50 a month
otal disability is permanent, as al
'eady pointed out, tie disabled man
entitled to 500 a month.
1t is strongly felt that Congress
made a mistake in adopting $50 a
month as the basis for disa ability COM
,ensation for the soldiers and sailors
injured in the line Of duty. Congress
Iad in mind the pay Of the soldier,
80 month. when this figure was
ldopted. 1t failed. however, to take
nto account the fact that the enlist
: man receives his board and lodg-
ng and his clothing free while he is
n the service in addition to the $50
l month pay. This basis Of compensa-
lion, it is said, must be amended by
.aw.
Compensation for Disabled.
In the cases Of men who are married
and have dependents the compensation
for disability is greater than in the
case of the unmarried man or the man
having no dependents. The rates for
such cases are as follows: If he has
a wife but no child living, $45; If he
has wife and one child living, SIS !;
if he has a wife and two children liv-
ing. $65 if he has wife and three or
more children living, SIS; if he has no
wife but one child living, $40, with SO
for each additional child up to two !;
if he has mother or father, either or
both dependent on him for support. then
in addition to the above amounts, $40
for each.
II the man be Regular Army officer
however, and is married or has depend
ants he is entitled to benefit by this
compensation under the war risk in
surance act, as we'll as to receive his
retired pay, or three-fourths Of his ac-
tive pay, it was said today.