Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1918 — ALLOWANCES AND ALLOTMENTS [ARTICLE]

ALLOWANCES AND ALLOTMENTS

SOME PROVISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE CARE OF FAMILIES. ■ 7Since the government has seen fit to especially call and instruct the registered men as to the provisions of the regulations of the law concerning allotments and allowances to dependents of soldiers and sailors during 4he tqrm of army service and for death ana disability, we have thought it profitable-to oiir readers to from time to time give some space to a discussion of these provisions. The law was approved by congress Oct. 6, 1917. The law provides, in brief, the following: 1. For the support, during the war, of the families and dependents of enlisted men. (a) Allotments of pay.—Certain proportions of pay are to be withheld from the man and paid directly to the families or dependents, or for insurance, or for other purposes. Allotment or deposit of one-half of pay may be required in all cases. (b) Family allowances.—ln addition to all allotments of pay by the man, the United States will pay monthly allowances to the wife, children, and certain dependents.

2. For the protection of officers and enlisted men and their dependents from the hazards of injury, disease and death. (a) Compensation.—Monthly payments, for disability and death due to injury and disease incurred in the line of duty. (b) Insurance. —Provided by the United States upon application and payment of premium, without medical examination, against total permanent disability and death. The premium will be at normal peace rates without loading, and the United States will bear the extra cost due to war service. Provision is made for the continuation of the insurance after leaving the service. Some definitions are necessary for all to have a clear meaning. z “Injury” includes disease. “Pay” means the pay for service in the United States according to grade and length of service, excluding all allowances. “Child” is limited to an unmarried person either under 18 years of age, or incompetent, and includes, under certain conditions, a stepchild, adopted child, and illegitimate child. “Parent” includes a parent, grandparent, and step-parent, either of the person in the service or of the spouse. “Brother” and “sister” includes brothers and sisters of the balf blood as well as those of the whole blood, step-brothers and step-sisters, and brothers and sisters through adoption. - Allotment is wJiat is compulsory, and is taken from a man’s pay and diverted to the proper dependents, and must equal the family allowance, which is the amount paid by the government. The compulsory allotment must not be less than sls nor more than half of the pay of' the soldier. He may voluntarily allot any amount he may choose to such dependents. Compulsory allotment may be waived by the written consent of the wife, supported by evidence that she has ability to support her Self and children.

.The family allowance paid by the U. S. shall not exceed SSO in addition to the pay alloted by the man, and all allowances shall be made only upon application, and shall be paid from the time of enlistment, to continue until one month after service ceases from any cause. The following schedule will give about all the information that is ordinariW needed to understand the amount received from allowances. This is in addition, of course, to the allotment from the man’s pay. If the enlisted person is a man: Class A. Wife, child or children: (a If there be 1 a wife and one child, $25. •(c) If there be a wife and two children, $32.50, with $5 per month a child.

(d) If there be no wife, but one child, $5. (e) If there be no wife, but two children, $12.50. . (f) . If there be no wife,' but three children, S2O. (g) -If there be no wife, but four children, S3O, with $5 per month additional for each additional child. Class B. Grandchild, parent, brother or sister: (a) If there be one parent, $lO. (b) If there be two parents, S2O. • (c) For each grandchild, brother, sister, and additional parent, ss.* ' If the enlisted person is a woman': Class A. (None). Class B. Child, grandchild, parent, brother or sister: (a) If there be one parent, $lO. (b If there be two parents, S2O. (c) For each grandchild, brother, sister and additional parent, $5. (d) If there be one child, $5. (e) If there be two children, $12.50. . - a (f) If there be three children, S2O. (g) If there be four children, S3O, with $5 per month additional for each additional child. Family allowances to Class B shall be paid oiily while such members are dependent in whole or in part on the

enlisted man, and while an allotment is made to them. And the allowance and the allotment to them shall not exceed the average habitually contributed by him to their support prior to his enlistment The amount of the allowance and the allotment is determined by the commissioner in charge of this branch.