The broad ax., 1919-12-13
BY LIEUT.. J. WILLIAMS CLIFFORD
Special Representative,
CoLoRED SOLDIERS AND SAIL
oRs' INSURANCE.
War Risk Bureau, Washington, D. C.

Yesterday when the destructive
forces of civilization were more in
tensely active than the constructive,
we logically thought in terms of war.
But, TO day, as the smoke of battle
fades and the constructive forces again
come into their own, we find the Ma
tion giving birth TO institutions and
ideas in keeping with the reeOnstrue-
tive tendencies of the hour.
The fact that our ship of state Is
drifting back to tho shores of normal
ity so well and rapidly, indicates that
We are pursuing a better course than
nations usually follow. after they have
been tossed about by the angry waves
of war. Uncle Sam realizes the need
of some permanent institution TO pro-
tect the interests OF the men who pro-
tected him, and today, the Bureau of
War Risk Insurance stands out con-
spieuously as that institution.
1t is safe 70 say the Bureau has not
only justified its establishment, but it
is justifying its continued existence.
During the time when the flower of
our nation was called to the eolors, il
was Government Insurance that gave
TO every commissioned officer and en-
listed man greater protection for them
selves and their dependents, and
strengthened their courage as they
went forth to battle.
Thus, it is seen that war put the Gov
eminent into the life insurance bus
ineSs. It rightly assumed the war risk
to which its soldiers exposed them
selves in defense of the country. In
proper discharge Of that obligation it
decided not to cancel the special rela-
tionship that the war set up. The
machinery of Government Insurance
now is running smoothly, and, as
means of rewarding valient service
rendered, Uncle Sam is allowing his war
veterans to continue their Government
insurance. This insurance is offered at
less than it costs the Government TO
run the business. All deficiencies are
met out of the funds in the Treasury
of the United States.
Nearly $4,000. 100000 worth of War
Risk Insurance was carried by the f.
539.O4s service men during the war.
This is a greater amount than the COM
bined insurance written by all insur-
anee companies in this country. APP
proximately s., SOC. 900 900 worth of this
insurance was carried by the 4O2,3s7
eolOred service men who answered the
Nations cali to arms. Thousands of
cOlored soldiers who little dreamed of
being protested by insurance before
the war, proudly made application for
$4,000 of War Risk Insurance. That
same protection is as necessary in time
of peace, as it was in time of war.
Life is always uncertain, and we should
always be prepared TO protect our de-
pendents as best we can
Regrettable as it may seem, a large
per cent of our eolored soldiers and
sailors who again are IN civilian life
are allowing their War Risk Insur
anee policies to lapse. Since Praetie-
ally all of the benefeiaries are within
the race, think what it win mean to
our economic developement. if a con
siderable amount Of this insurance is
saved Government Insurance should
be especially attractive to eolored sol
diers and sailors
1t is a known fact, that ordinarily
life insurance companies contend that |
the mortality rate among Negroes is |
higher than among white people; and |
for this reason, many refuse. to insure |
eolored persons, and those who do in
sure Us charge higher mates than they |