The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-12-20
URGES RACE MEN TO KEEP IN
SURANCE.
By Lieut.. ]. Williams Clifford,

BY Lieut.. ]. Williams Clifford,
Special Representative. Colored Sol
diers and Sailors Insurance War
Risk Bureau, Washington. D. c.
Yesterday when the destructive
forces of civilization were more In
tensely active than the constructive,
weflogically thought in terms OF war.
But, today, as the smoke of battle
fades and the constructive forces
again come into their own, we find
the Nation giving birth to institutions
and ideas in keeping with the recon-
structive Tenderness of the hour.
The fact that our old ship of state
is drifting back to the shores of
normally so well and so rapidly, in
dicates that we are pursuing a bet
ter course than nations usually fol-
low, after they have been tossed
about by the angry waves Of war.
Uncle Sam realized the need of some
permanent institution to protect the
interest of the men who protected
him and today, the Bureau Of War
Risk Insurance stands out conspic-
uously as that institution.
1t is safe to say the Bureau has
not only justified its establishment,
but that it is justifying its continued
existence. During the time when the
flower of our nation was called to
the colors, it was Government In
surance that gave to every COM
missioned officer and enlisted man
greater protection for themselves and
their dependents, and strengthened
their courage as they went forth to
battle.
Thus, it is seen that war put the
Government into life insurance bust
ness. 1t rightly assumed the war
risk to which its soldiers exposed
themselves in defense of the country.
In proper discharge of that obliga-
ton it decided not to cancel the spe-
cial relationship that the war set up.
The machinery of Government In
surance now is running smoothly,
and, as means of rewarding valiant
service rendered, Uncle Sam is al
lowing his war veterans to continue
their Government insurance. This in
surance 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 $40,000,OO0 worth of War
Risk Insurance was carried by the
4,539,048 service men during the
war. This is a greater amount than
the combined insurance written by
all insurance companies in this coun-
try. Approximately $2.500,000,0 900
Of this insurance was carried by the
402,3S7 Colored service men who an
swered the Nations call to arms.
Thousands of Colored soldiers who
little dreamed of being protected by
insurance before the war, proudly
made application for $4,000 of War
Risk Insurance. That same protec-
ton is as necessary in time of peace,
as it was in tine of war; Life is al
ways uncertain, and we should al
ways be prepared to protect our de-
pendents as best as we can.
Regretable as it may seem, a large
per cent of our Colored soldiers and
sailors who again are in civilian
life are allowing their War Risk IN
surance policies to lapse. Since prac-
tically all of the beneficiaries are
within the race, think what it will
mean to our economic development,
If considerable amount of this in
surance is saved. Government In
surance should be especially attract
tive to Colored soldiers and sailors.
1t is known fact, that ordinarialy
life insurance companies contend
that the mortality rate among Ne
groes is higher than among white
people; and for this reason, many
refuse to insure Colored persons,
and those who do insure us charge
higher rates than they do for whites.
This fact should encourage former
service men to hold on to their Gov
eminent Insurance.
When we speak of the advantages
of Government Insurance we are not
criticising the private companies, es-
(Coutinued nm paoa K 4