Bisbee daily review., 1919-12-18
WARNS CONGRESS OF URGENT NEED. OF REF FORMS IN INSURANCE LAW
Legion Wants Insurance Paid in Lump Sum if Desired
 by Beneficiaries
ASKS ASSISTANCE
 FOR THE DISABLED
Increases in Rates Asked and Recognition of Tuberculosis
 as Disability

WASHINGTON, Dec 17.-Speedy action was demanded of congress on all matters affecting the govern ment's dealing with former service men, in resolutions adopted tonight by national and state officers of the American Legion at the conclusion of three day conference with officials of the war risk insurance bureau. The resolutions also warned congress of the imperative necessity of.provid- ing relief for men who have met with injustice through the inadequacy of laws under which the present insur- ance and compensation regulations are administered.
 At the conclusion of the discussion, delegates summed up their views Of needs of the former service men, as demonstrated by their study of the situation, as follows:
 "The Wason and Sweet bills should bes passed by congress forthwith.
 ~The bureau of war. risk insurance, federal board for vocational educa- tion and the public health service especially the sections of the two lat ter agencies dealing with ex-service men-should be combined under a single head, and one representative of the unified agency should be placed in each state..
 "The following notifications re- garding insurance should be adopted:
 Want Lump Sum.
 "Premiums should be payable through the local postoffices. Re strictions based on relationship of beneficiaries should be removed. The amount of the insurance under both term and converted policies should be payable at the option of the ap- plicant in a lump sum or otherwise, and if the applicant has exercised no option then at the option of the bene- ficiary. A partial disability benefit should be paid under all policies.
 "That all disabled persans having war risk insurance while in the hos pitals, or while receiving benefits un- der the war risk insurance act, or while receiving training, should have the payment of all insurance pre- miums remitted during the continu- ance of their disability and training. That all forms used shall be simpli- fled so as to be made as short and simple as possible.
 "All men receiving vocational tratn' ing should have their maintenance nav in full and a vocational train ing official should be permanently stationed at every hospital where dis abled ex-service persons are being cared for. Immediate and adequate stems should be taken to reach all nersons at present entitled to Voca- tional training and not receiving It, and to acquaint them fully with tneir rights and to give training to all who are entitled to it, recreational fea- tures should be added to the vocation al training program.
 substantial increases an all the nresent rates should be granted. m mediate. liberal and effective acton should be taken on all claims.
 "Persons suffering from tuberculos- is should be considered as totally disabled during the continuance oi the disease and as eompensable ac- cordingly.
 Hospital facilities at present pro vided are inadequate and congress should make far more liberal pro- vision for same.