Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 149, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1918 — Page 2

HOW THE GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENS FIGHTER AND SAFEGUARDS HIS HOME

Uncle Sam’s War Risk Insurance Offers Protection at Cost —Government Assumes All Administrative Costs and Extra War Hazards—Business Exceeds by Several Hundred Per Cent Largest Insurance Company in World.

By JAMES H. COLLINS. (From Committee on Public Information.) On October 6, 1917, the war-risk insurance law went into effect, providing for protection of our soldiers, sailors, and marines and their families. On April 6, 1918, only six months later, Uncle Sam had written approximately $14,000,000,000 of war risk insurance on his fighting forces, covering upward of 1,700,000 persons in the' military and naval service. For allotments and allowances alone, approximately 1,600,000 checks aggregating more than $43,000,000 have already been sent It will not be long before the bureau will be sending out a million checks a month. . We have spoken of it as "the warrisk insurance law.” Technically this is correct; actually, it is misleading; for the legislation that went into effect on October 6, 1917, was really a group of laws —four acts co-ordinat-ed for a common purpose. The first measure in this unprecedented program of protection is the system of allotments and allowances, in which the fighter and the government are partners for the care of the families of all enlisted men in the military or naval service. The second measure provides for stated compensation for death and disability incurred in the line of duty. This is the modern American substitute for pensions. The compensation, which ranges from S2O to SIOO a month, Is paid automatically by the govern- • ment to certain specified beneficiaries, regardless of rank or pay, and without any cost to the recipient. The third measure of protection is outright government insurance against death and total permanent disability. In this, the United States is a pioneer among the nations of the world—offering insurance up to SIO,OOO to every member of its fighting forces, at net peace rates. The government assumes HIT overhead charges and costs of administration, thus making the rates almost incredibly low. This insurance is a supplemental form of protection, stimulating thrift and strengthening self-respect.

Immensity of Bureau’s Work. The fourth measure of protection embodied in the military and naval insurance act is the system of re-edu-cation and rehabilitation of the men disabled in the war —tn itself a task of vital importance and great magnitude. The figures given convey an idea of the immensity of the bureau’s work. The insurance now on the books of the Bureau of War-Risk Insurance exceeds by several hundred per cent the insurance held by the largest life insurance company tn the world. To cope with the hydra-headed problem imposed upon it, the Bureau of War Risk Insurance has been forced to expand at an exceedingly rapid rate. ; The bureau now .occupies space in] fight separate buildings, covering an j area of more than 120,000 square feet, I and has a personnel of more than 3.- ] 300. working in two shifts, from nine i o’clock in the morning till midnight. It may be asked why the government. in addition to family allowances and liberal compensation, should offer insurance against death and disability to its fighting men. The justification for this sweeping innovation is simply this: The governineptJjy'calling a man to war takes Inm into the most hazardous business in.the world, and thus destroys his insurability. In return. it is only fitting and proper that the government should go into the insurance business for his benefit. Private insurance companies could not possibly insure soldiers and sailors except at prohibitive rates. At a conference of life insurance representatives in Washington, when the pres-

FRENCH AND AMERICANS IN GRENADE ATTACK

--• I • , Frenchmen and Americans are advancing across No Man's Land, somewhere on the front in France. They are moving cautiously, ready to use the ereundes they am carrying In the sacks slung over their shoulders.

ent act was discussed, it was stated that SSB a thousand was the lowest figure at which any insurance company could afford to accept soldiers and sailors as risks, and that only for one year. Thus, SIO,OOO life insurance, which under the government system would cost a soldier twenty-six years old $80.40, would cost about SSBO with a private insurance company. This disparity is largely explained by the government’s j liberality in itself assuming all the administrative costs and the extra war hazards. , Supplants Pension System. The entire system of protection afforded by the government is, in the words of ii. majorgeneral in the army, an element of victory in the present wa'r. Families provided for means fighters unafraid. The difference between the old pension system and the modern system which has supplanted it is clearly demonstrated by the case of Mrs. Betty Ingraham, 403 Third street. Platt City, Ala., the first woman to receive a check from the Bureau of War-Risk Insurance for a soldier or sailor killed i in action in the present war. Her son, Gunner’s Mate Osmond Kelly Ingraham, was killed October 15, 1917, when the U. S. S. Cassin was attacked by a German submarine. Under the terms of the military and naval insurance act, Mrs. Ingraham, being a widowed mother dependent upon her son for support, will receive S2O per month, as long as she lives, unless she remarries. Furthermore, she is entitled to $25 a month for 240 months under the insurance provision of the act. Her son had not made specific application for insurance, but up to February 12, 1918, automatic insurance for approximately $4,300 was provided. Thus, Mrs. Ingraham will receive a total of $45 per month from the United States government. If her son had applied for SIO,OOO of insurance she would receive $77.50 a month. Under the pension laws, section 4707, Revised Statutes, as amended by the act of June 27, 1890, Mrs. Ingraham would have been entitled to sl2' a month. Such is the chasm between the old and the new.

The vast amount of correspondence which comes to the Bureau of War Risk Insurance is steeped in human interest. Stories of heroism and lofty patriotism are found by the thousands in the letters received at the bureau. Many mothers and fathers have returned checks sent to them by the government, declaring that the government needs the money at this crucial hour tt> win the war. Keeps Home Fires Burning. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance is keeping the home fires burning. But it is doing more than that. It is keeping America’s fighting forces confident and reassured. A “bluejacket” on one of the battleships after signing the application for SIO,OOO of government insurance, dropped his pen and said: • “I have taken care of my family; now I can go out and fight like blazes.” Thousands of families throughout the country are directly- and vitally affected by the allotment and allowance feature of the war insurance law. Every married enlisted man in the army and navy must allot from his pay (every month) at least sls a month, and not more than half his pay, toward the support of his wife and children. To this allotment the government adds certain allowances, depending upon the size of the family. In addition, the enlisted man may make some further provision for other relatives, and in case of dependency the government will add certain allowances. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance, therefore, must keep a tremendous filling and cross-filing system, covering

THE RENSSELAER DAILY REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

HONORS AMERICAN ARTIST

Louis Orr, an American artist, is the first artist of any nationality to have a picture acquired by the Louvre in Paris, during the artist’s lifetime. His etching is of the Font Neuf, the oldest bridge In Paris. The original plate is now in permanent possession of the Louvre and a copy of it is in the Luxembourg museum along with Mr. Orr’s famous etchings of Reims cathedral.

every enlisted person in the nation’s service, and this means millions of cards, millions of bookkeeping and financial operations, thousands of awards, and thousands of checks going out every month. The bleak specter of poverty, the humiliation of charity, the silent suffering of penniless pride—these are eliminated by the government protection when the man is fighting. After his fighting is over, government compensation and government insurance are then called upon to play their part in the 'work of protection. Persons who have business with the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, as beneficiaries or otherwise, need not in any circumstances . employ claim agents or provide lawyers. The Bureau of War Risk Insurance will cheerfully furnish full legal advice and assistance. Secretary McAdoo has vigorously denounced the nefarious activities of claim agents and others who would prey upon dependents of men killed in battle by exacting unnecessary fees and requiring useless litigations.

Claims Paid Promptly. Actual insurance checks, mailed to the dependents of a soldier or sailor who has been killed in battle or died of disease, involve very few complications making for delay. These insurance claims are paid promptly after death. Uncle Sam’s war-risk insurance had the “selling” advantage of a very attractive rate, and also a wide popular interest roused by the contingencies of war. Even so, a certain amount of work was necessary to roll up a large body of policyholders. A very brief experience during the first few weeks demonstrated that educational work was necessary—some well-organized effort looking toward explanation, so that every soldier, sailor, marine, nurse, and coast guard man would know what might be obtained under this law—that is to say, know their rights. 0 Therefore, during the month of January, men were detailed in every cantonment and on every ship to undertake the work of explanation. It was found that hundreds of trained insurance men were available in the army and navy, and these, as well as officers interested in the welfare of their men, were arrayed for a general campaign. Leaders iff this movement were assembled at the War-Risk Insurance Bureau in Washington for three days’ instructions, returning to their posts all over the country prepared to explain insurance in detail. A spirit of friendly rivalry was created among regiments and other units of the fighting forces on land and sea. Many officers made it a point of pride to have every one of the men under them insured, very often to the entire amount allowed under the law, which is SIO,OOO. Average Is SB,OOO a Man. The latest figures show that the average' amount of insurance taken out by our fighters is upward of SB,OOO per man. It was estimated as early as February 12, 1918, that the American army, both here and abroad, was more than 90 per cent insured by Uncle Sam. Final figures for the navy are not yet available, but the bluejackets are known to have responded enthusiastically. As long as new men are called to the colors, Uncle Sam’s insurance campaign will continue without let up. “Insurance means preparedness; preparedness means vlctory ”_this- is one of the many battle cries which are arraying all American fighters in the insurance ranks. The War-tlisk Insurance Act is administered by the treasury department, and the work of carrying out its provisions is under the close supervision of Secretary McAdoo, who proposed to the congress the measure creating the bureau and who has had personal charge of tlie_or ganlzation of this new form of government activity. Its success is very close to his heart, because he sees in it not only a great humanitarian piece of legislation, bringing security and justice to those who defend our flag, and to their dependents, but also an experiment which' may lead to broader human benefits in the future.

TALES FROM BIG CITIES

Boy, Look Up Present Address of Joe Mulhatton HAVANA, CUBA.— Natives of a small island off the west coast of Cuba were recently thrown into the highest pitch of excitement and terror when a gigantic animal of the dinosaurus or diplodocus species suddenly. ■ crawled forth from the sea and con*

and probably the only living remnant of the gigantic reptilians that prevailed in the western part of the United States in prehistoric times, the bones of which are still being unearthed from, time to' time by scientists and archeological explorers. * , The monstrous specimen that has almost depopulated the island alluded to through hasty flight of scores of natives by small boats to a neighboring isle, broke down fences over which it crawled, knocked over small outbuildings, uprooted palm trees and cut big swaths through fields of crops. While it has been pronounced to be the only known living specimen of the thought-to-be-extinct giganticus amphlbl diplodocidae, so far as is known, and while it i..sappeared after crossing the narrowest point of the island, those who saw it and so far recovered from their fright as to be able to discuss it, declare that it was the most terrifying thing they have ever seen or wish to see again, and all agree that it had eyes that shone like searchlights, huge teeth and mustaches exactly like the kaiser’s. Its whinings and other noises as it passed over the Island were not as unnerving to the natives as was its mammoth size, which was awe-inspiring. Some of the natives declare they will never return to the island.

Minister Saved Money by “Dicker” With Footpad BIRMINGHAM, ALA. —A very interesting story came to light Sunday, when it was related that a very distinguished minister of the Methodist church, Dr. Plato Durham, had been held up by a young white man as he alighted

from a car and started toward the place where he was stopping, he having just returned from a session of the state Sunday school convention at the First Methodist church. The minister got off the car, and as he walked half a block away and the car vanished he was confronted by a man who thrust a cocked pistol against his stomach and demanded that his hands go up. ‘‘No, I won’t raise my hands. But what*do you want? There is no need

to shoot; just tell me what you want and I will give you anything that I have,” said Doctor Durham. “I want money, and I need it badly, and I am going to have it.” “Well, I have $9, a five and four ones, here,” replied Doctor Durham, “and I will give you the four and I will keep the five, for I am a Methodist minister, and you know that we preachers don’t have much money, so I think you ought to leave me the big’end of it. ’ “Well, I’ll be d ,” replied the amateur road agent; “ain’t this a of a business for'a white man to be .engaged in? Why, this is a nigger’s job; but I tell you I need money, and I need it bad, so give me the five and keep the four ones.” “No; I think you ought to leave me the biggest pile, for I am hard up, too,” replied the preacher ; “so here are the four ones, and I will keep the five-spot,” and he handed the nightman the four one-dollar notes. “All right,” said the unknown masked man; “but you won’t shoot as I walk away, or you won’t report this to the police, will you?” “No,” replied Dr. Plato Durham, and he has up to this hour kept his word.

Absent-Minded Governor Almost Got Stranger’s Hat NEW YORK. —Governor Whitman, at the meeting of the National Union at the Garden theater, didn’t know his own hat and sought to grab another man’s. And the two lids didn’t resemble each other in the least, for the

form, where he spoke at length on the issues of the war and the Liberty loan.’ Pausing at length, he cast his eyes behind him. Though still under the spell of his own eloquence, he realized that he needed a hatpin order to go forth The man who sat at the right of the speakers’ rostrum held a likely appearing one in his hand. Calmly, abstractedly, the governor possessed himself of it. , The bereft man was a good sport and made no protest. But Mr. Hersnfield was not going to see a fellow member of the National Union —who, by the way, happened not to possess much hair —getting a cold in the head through losing his hat, even if it was to the man who had been introduced as “our great war governor.” So he tactfully thrust his hand forward, and Mr. Whitman, remembering that he ought to shake hands with the chairman, dropped the hat to do it. By this time the useful military secretary was on hand with the right lid and all was w>pll.

When Will Folks Recognize Boys Crave Excitement? ■ JOHNSTOWN, PA.—The two very young disciples of Diogenes whO-are looking —not for an honest man, but for the worst boy in'America —pausedintheir search to meditate on conditions here. The poor boys in Johnstown are held at

a disadvantage. The Y. M. C...A. will not take them in as members because they are afraid the. Had boys would make their boys bad. The young men of the church have been good enough to organize a Big Brothers’ club. Eut the Big Brothers try to make good boys out of them by teaching them a lot of the Bible at one time, so they have let the opportunity of a swim and other enjoyments go. A group of 12 organized a regular

boys’ club and called it the “Gut Gang” They found a cave in one of the many near-by bills, stole a few chairs and a table, arid then decided to take a few meals there, reports a correspondent of the Baltimore American. There would be no excitement In just asking their mothers for the meal, so they derided to get their own meals. They raided a few ice boxes, taking bread and butter and other things. ■ \ At one of these raids they trod on war gardens. It all ended when one of their bonfires caused a forest fire, and they were arrested. Their parents Paid Now, these boys are not bad, only young lovers of excitement If the juvenile officers would have a man take charge of them and use the same cave as a clubhouse, the boys would become better citizens. But the juvenile Segment and bwome more «««"•• “ « et “• The °“ c ' r ” have a regular job when the boys start in.

tinned to make its slow and destructive way toward the principal village on the Island. The island is not more than 20 miles in circumference and is mostly given over to the- cultivation of grapefruit. The monstrous creature, described as being more than 60 feet in length, according to its Imprints in the soil over which it passed, and .weighing many tons, has been pronounced by scientists of this city to be a genuine

governor’s was of the stovepipe variety—tall and very shiny—and the other one was a derby. The governor, who was announced as the speaker of the-evening, came in while Isidore Hershfield was opening the meeting, and was ushered to the stage box, where his military secretary, who followed him, received his tall hat and his overcoat and carefully deposited them in a corner of the box. ' As soon as Mr. Hershfield finished, the governor was escorted to the plat-

Home Town Helps

TOO OFTEN LACK HARMONT I.■ . ■ Groups of Houses, Especially In Suburbs of American Cities, Express a Spirit of Unrest. Harmony in design in groups of houses is coming to a sense of appreciation,, as is evidenced by several housing schemes and the architectural treatment followed in certain developments. The American, when he builds’ for himself, has a strong desire for individuality of expression. This is shown particularly in almost any suburb, where you will stee a neighborhood of houses in which many styles of architecture, class of materials, color schemes, etc., are represented. Th& lines and shapes have no relation to each other, so that as you look at the group there is a spirit of unrest and clashing in many respects. The whole group lacks repose and the homelike feeling is interfered with, even although each individual house might be good enough in itself. Possibly this result is a reaction from the individuals having previously lived In city rows of a stereotyped plan; thus, having been previously suppressed, when the opportunity offers they go to an extreme of expression, or possibly it might In some cases be due to the architect’s desire to have the individuality of the house stand out, or the wealth of materials and knowledge of styles which we have at our disposal may also tend to this variety in treatment. In any case the result is not entirely satisfactory and could be improved. Variety and individuality sufficient for a reasonable nature may be obtained even when the buildings are designed with relation to each other, and harmonize in line, shape, materials, color, etc., and thus produce a more artistic and homelike feeling to each one and the entire group.

PIPE IS USED AS SPRINKLER

House Owner’s Ingenious Scheme by Which Fence Is Made to Serve a Double Purpose. Iran pipe % inch in diameter is extensively used for protecting the small--grass spots between the sidewalk and the street curb, also between the sidewalk and the building, providing the space is not large. These plots are very difficult to keep watered in dry seasons. One resident owner made a combination fence, using the pipe for the sprinkling apparatus as well as for the guard. Small holes were drilled

Pipe Guarding Grass Plot Is Used for Sprinkling in a Dry Season.

in a row on the inside surface of the pipe and the whole line was connected with the water supply. In building such a protection be sure to have all joints watertight and the tees plugged that are used to jonnect the iron supports for the posts.—Popular Science Monthly. ~

Trees Benefit Community.

Trees help to purify the air by absorbing the carbonic-acid gas exhhled by all animal life, giving back pure oxygen. Trees modify the temperature, especially in cities where the,, shade cuts off the direct and reflected heat from sidewalks, streets and buildings. Yet trees are ji city’s .best asset merely because they bring an improvement in appearance. Thus does the tail wag the dog where the tale of trees is told, and their death knell is not tolled.

Enormous Sand Digger.

A large ladder dredge has recently been constructed for use at Neville island, Pittsburgh, for dredging sand and gravel. This dredge has a ladder that will reach 50 feet below the surface of the water. It brings up sand and gravel and' delivers it into a revolving screen on the' main deck. By means of secondary ladders the screened material is raised from tanks in the hull of the dredge to chutes that lead into barges alongside.—Scientific American. ,

You Can’t Always Tell.

In a London bus a man in civilian garb rose and offered his seat to a woman. “I never accept favors from slackers,” she said witheringly. “Madam,” he replied blandly, “I was all through Gallipoli, and if we’d had ns much powder as you have on your face we’d have got to Constantinople In no tlm°”—Boston Transcript