Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-22
WAR RISK INSURANCE
BETTER THAN PENSION

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American soldier-war risk insurance-is now
about to come into it's own in the fullest sense
of the word As organized it was better than
any pension system ever designed by any gov
eminent, planning for the "doughboy's" future
as well as the chances of war, to a remark
able extent weak spots developed, Of course
but they are now largely ironed out. Curious
~ enough the hardest work ahead of this enor-
nous section of Uncle Sans war machine is
persuading the soldiers that they cannot af-
ford, from business standpoint, to cancel
their insurance.
The house of Representatives recently spent
q profitable day in discussing the war risk
insurance bureau, and, finally passed a bill
rectifying some of the obvious errors. There
was no politics in the. debate both Democrats
and Republicans joining in helping sugges-
tons. The Republicans conceded that tbs
Wilson administration had done a big thing
in planning and organizing the war risk in
Republicans that its career had shown need
of some changes. Both sides OF the house
agreed that abolition of the enterprise was i'm
possible from every viewpoint
Because of the criticism OF the bureau,
much of which was unwarranted, Representa-
tive Scott Ferris of Oklahoma, Democrat, pre-
scented the achievements of the organization in
condensed form. So forceful was the argu-
ment that increased allowances for the sol
diers we're provided for without objection.
Said Mr.. Ferris:
Il have always been proud that the con-
gress enacted the war risk insurance Law and
created under it a bureau whose duty 1t shall
be to look after, first. soldiers insurance sec
ond, dependent families, and, third, soldiers
who we're disabled during the great conflict
There have been times when this great
bureau has appeared to be moving slowly and
ponderously in the discharge Of its duties. but
doubt if the general public is aware of the
euOTmity of this great undertaking. The writ
ing of insurance for practically all the 4,500,-
md vi N
this war will of necessity disclose what mon
strous task twas at the very beginning. The
further fact that 1880 employees. many of
them unframed. were necessary to conduct
this great bureau makes it apparent what a
I1Onstrous task il has been. The amount of
money passing through the war risk insurance
bureau last year was $3.50 100000 The govern
ment's liability for outstanding insurance
through the bureau is more than 500 o00,-
900, 900.
The enormity OF the task of the war risk
insurance bureau is shown quite well think,
in the following estimates of expenditures of
the bureau since its creation:
More than s241 100000 has been distribu-
ted by the bureau to dependent families of SOL
diers as family allowances.
There has been paid by the bureau $14,-
45S,S52.77 to disabled soldiers as compensa-
ton.
Insurance awards already have caused the
expenditure of s51,6721 1879. and it is estimat-
ed that the total liability of the bureau on in
surance to be paid awards already made.
reaches the astounding total of S1125, 600 600"
Under the present law, Mr. Ferris pointed
out, while the disability is total and pending
the time when the soldier is nurseG back to
usefulness, either in part in whole. the
monthly schedule Of compensation is as fol-
lows:
ts) If the disabled person has neither wife
nor child living. $50.
(bl If he has a wife but no child living. s45
Cc) If he has a wife and one child living
to If he has wife and two children. s65
TEL If he has wife and three or more chill
dren living. SIS.
10 II he has no wife but one child living
$40. with SO each for each additional child
up to two.
Cgl If he has a mother or father. either or
both dependent him for support, then. in
addition to the above amounts, $40 for each.
Under the proposed law it was shown that
the amount paid each of the disabled soldiers
as their relative rights appear, while the dis
ability is rated total and temporary. the
monthly compensation will be follows:
(al II the disabled person has neither wife
nor child living, $50.
(hl If he has wife but no child living $50
tcj II he has a wife and one child living
i'd II he has a wife and two or more chill
dren living 500.
(e) If he has no wife bot one child living
$50 with SIS for each additional child rp to two
~ If he has mother or father either or
both dependent on him for support. then, in
addition to the above amounts, SO for each
parent so dependent
The proposed law further provides that in
addition to the increase just mentioned the di-
rector shall allow $50 per month TO a disabled
person who is so helpless as 10 be constantly
in need of a nurse or attendant.
Members here and elsewhere will proclaim
that we paying the disabled soldiers a sum
out of all proportion to any pension, bounty or
ability allowance ever given before" said
Mr.. Ferris. For me and mine that is not
alarming. If in all the wide world there is
one class of citizens that the government
should be generous with and should try to
make full amends to it is the soldier who Of
fered his all and who. as the battle ragged on.
sacrificed either all or part