Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1920 — Page 8

PAGE EIGHT

ASK CHANGES IN WAR RISK ACT

Important Amendments in Bill Are Asked of National Lawmakers. REVISE SCHEDULE UPWARD Increased Compensation for Disabled Ex-Service Men Is Urged—Bureau Seeks to Give Fullest Possible Service to Those Affected. Washington.—“ Our work in conducting the affairs of the bureau must be guided by the counsel of the soldiers, sailors and marines themselves. Our aim is to be of the fullest possible service to those affected by the act.” Thus Colonel R. G. Cholmeley-Jones, director of the bureau of war risk insurance, in the course of a talk to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed hospital, Washington, D. C., epitomized the motives behind the action of the bureau in requesting congress, through the treasury department, to enact several Important amendments to the war risk Insurance act. These may be divided into two general classes —those affecting the conmensatlon features of

I M 1 * y y Uni ** ■viral * WnwnuWnU Z—- # B» t L— j9x — * THAT’S pretty nearly two publications for the price of one, friends. We can’t guarantee thia offer for more than 30 days—so act quickly! If your subscription to our paper expires during the next two or three months, you’d better renew now and take advantage of this opportunity.. Tell your neighbors about it. A Modem Library for the Home rtf— ttaw During the next 12 months Woman’s World will publish three ion book-length novels, which, if printed in book fora, would east $1.50 each. There will be 50 short stories and numerous arthtse on current events by men and women of world fame. MnrnijrwmiX The Needlework Department of Woman’s World is a magasine nBELUIWIMUk itself. Thia year it will contain a total of IM pages (36m Ml color), showing the choicest designs and afasplcst methods la Crochet, Embroidery, Tatting. Knitting, Filet and Fancyworh. PICUinNS Peerless Dress Patterns, famous for their style and fit, appear eadusively in Woman’s World. They are supplied to readers at 12c each. The monthly fashion color plates are * veritable style \ review. < Mm ECnunkm The next 12 issues will contain 300 suggestions on home decorn■Ml UQHOBIU tion 400 recipes, advice on infant care, making ovef clothes and hundreds of helpful ideas. ' Woman’s World is 10c a copy. If bought by the month it would coot you SI M for twelve months. ’ Order now and eave money. You get two pobbcatiene nt nearly the price of one. WeHa'aaCopTrf Veera's VesUMNeplar bOerMse-Casne in and Seo M THE DEMOCRAT, Rensselaer, Ind.

Our Goods and Your Pocketbook ' I There are, maybe, a few exclusive shops in the big cities that can live on their trade with the rich. But most stores can’t, and this store can’t Nor do we want to. We’d much rather have a man of average income say, “I can get a good honest value at a good honest price at Blanks,” than to have some sweet chappie exclaim, “Oh, they do have the loveliest silk hats and the nattiest walking sticks in their chawming shoppe!” Whenever you’ve got to make a dollar look twice before it leaps, come here and see if you can’t make it go a bit farther than most places. We believe you can! Hilliard & Hamill

the act, aqd those concerning war risk insurance. A very important proposed amendment, and one which meets with widespread approval, Is the upward revision of the schedule of compensation payable to disabled ex-service men. Under the present schedule a man totally disabled Is entitled to S3O a month, if single. The amendment raises this by SSO, making SBO payable under these circumstances. If he has a wife but no child living he gets $45; the amendment provides S9O. If he has a wife and one child, he draws at present, $55; the amendment gives him $95. Extend the Provisions. The law now provides that If a man loses both hands, both feet, or the sight of both eyes, or becomes helpless and permanently bedridden, he shall receive SIOO a month compensation. Experience has shown that many men who have lost an arm and a leg, or one limb and the sight of one eye, are just as badly crippled as men who have lost both feet or both hands, and so the bureau has recommended that in addition to the injuries at present entltliqg a man to compensation at the rate of SIOO a month, the following shall be Included: The loss of one foot and one hand; the loss of one foot and the sight of one eye. These are deemed “total and permanent disability" by the express wording of the amendment. There is also a provision that for a “double total permanent disability,” meaning cases in which men are maimed ba aerlouslv that their.lnjuries

THE TWICB-A-WEEK DEMOCRAT

include two of these classifications, the compensation shr.ll be S2OO a month. The bureau has found a very widespread sentiment among ex-service men in favor of having their policies made payable In a lump sum, or in installments covering a short period of time, at their option. To meet this demand Director Cholmeley-Jones has urgently recommended a modification of the war risk insurance act to permit making provision in the contract for converted Insurance for optional settlements on the part of the Insured, making such Insurance payable either in one sum or in Installments for thir-ty-six months or more. If the insured has not exercised his right of election, under the proposed amendment the beneficiary may elect to receive the insurance in monthly Installments covering a period of not less than three years. Include Other Relatives. Another very important item is the proposed enlargement of the permitted class of insurance beneficiaries (spouse, child, grandchild, parent, brother or sister) to Include, In addition to those enumerated, uncles, aunts, jiephews, nieces, brothers-in-law and slsters-ln-law. All of the amendments described above, together with several other proposed measures of less general interest, but of much importance, are incorporated In the so-called “Sweet bill, introduced by Congressman Sweet of lowa in the house of representatives on August 26,1919. The whole trend of the bureau’s recommendations manifest its desire to be of the greatest possible service to those for whom It was created—the men who served our country in „the Great War. Not oqly in recommending the adoption of amendatory legislation, but in every other possible way, the bureau is doing Its best to expedite Its service, and to carry out the letter and spirit of the act in behalf of the men for whom It was prepared.

In the matter of the settlement of insurance claims the bureau Is practically current. Of over 123,000 claims, all but 9,000 have been settled, and regular payments are being made. The 9,000 unsettled cases consist of those in which the beneficiaries live in foreign countries or for some other reason cannot be reached. A diligent effort Is being made to get in touch with this comparatively small residue. Insurance Paid Promptly. A great many people do not realize that there is a wide difference between the insurance feature of the act and the provision for compensation. At insurance claim is paid immediately tc the beneficiary; but in the case of a claim for compensation a great many features must, under the law. be considered, such as the members of the family within the permitted class, the extent of their dependency, and the extent of the soldier’s disability. This itcounts for the fact that claims for compensation have not been settled as promptly as insurance claims. The compensation and claims division of the bureau is bending every effort to ieternline these cases as - quickly as thorough and intelligent handling will permit.. A large staff of examiners is working night and day in making compensation awards. The medical division has just completed a very trying and difficult task —the preparation of a schedule of disability ratings for different Injuries and combinations of injuries, based on SIOO per month as compensation for total disability. If the Sweet bill (H. R. 8778) becomes law, all compensation tor disability will be based upon SIOO per month ds a maximum instead of upon S3O as at present. This schedule

is necessarily very coihplicated, being designed to cover all probable combinations and degrees of injuries, and must be revised from time to time in iccordance with the bureau’s experi>nco in order that full justice may be lone in all cases. “Unquestionably, the government insurance contracts will be constantly mproved, as indicates the seed for improvements, and it is de•idedly to the advantage of all of us o hold the maximum amount of this 'overnment Insurance,” adds the dl•ecton , Reinstatement of Insurance. “A recent treasury decision has authorized the reinstatement of government insurance within 18 months after Uscharge by the payment of only two months premiums on the amount of«(n----surunce to be reinstated, one covering the month of grace during which the policy was In force, and one for the month in which reinstatement is made. This is a very generous provision, and will make it possible for all ex-service men to retain their government insurance after they have become adjusted again in their normal .civil life. Indeed, I look for a very heavy reinstatement and conversion as soon as the Sweet bill passes the senate and becomes an act and it is made known to all those who are affected. “The bureau appreciates tremendously the co-operation it has had from the Insurance officials and the men of the insurance profession, and it is to be regretted that there are some few who disregarded their moral obligation to assist the ex-service men by encouraging the men to drop their government Insurance and take out Insurance in private companies. It is my personal opinion that all ex-service men in such instances should combine in their disapproval of such action, and should in some forceful way express their utter disgust for those who are found guilty of such practices. Indeed, in the years to come, I feel confident that in such cases where ex-service men have been advised in such way as ho allow them to lose their government Insurance, that there will be at least one man In the world whom the exservice men will utterly despise, and distrust, and that will be the unscrupulous agent who in a time of test was found wanting.”

Vaccination Warning Issued.

Indianapolis, Jan. 16.—Dr. Herman G. Morgan, secretary of the city board of health, issued a warning urging persons not vaccinated to be vaccinated because of the outbreak of a number of cases of smallpox tn the city. Thirty cases have developed during the month. He also urges parents to watch carefully cases of sore throat among children as scarlet fever is prevalent in many parts of Indianapolis.

Gets Verdict for $7,875.

Boonville, Deo. 12.—After being out a short time, the jury in the Warrick circuit court brought in a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the case of Isaac A. Barrett, against the estate of O. D. Barrett, against the Ayrshire Coal company, assessing damages at $7,875. Barrett was killed while working in the Ayrshire mines in Pike county. The case came to Warrick county on change of venue.

Cattle Feeders Meet.

Lafayette, Dec. 12.—The annual meeting of the Indiana Catfle Feeders’ association convened at Purdue university today. More than 200 farmers were present. The meeting was held in the stock judging pavilion and a number of addresses were delivered. The visitors inspected the 70 head of two-year-old steers which were selected for feeding tests.

Plan $500,000 Memorial.

Vincennes, Dec. 12—According to plans under consideration Knox county’s war memorial, which will be in the form of a large public building, will cost about $500,000. Petitions urging the county commissioners to make appropriations covering the cost of the building will be circulated Saturday and Sunday.

Noted Impersonator Dead.

Tipton, Dec. 12.—Mrs. Eva Waugh of this city has been advised of the death of her son-in-law. Cal Stewart, in Chicago. Mr. Stewart was famous in the theatrical world for his “Uncle Josh” characters and his “Uncle Josh” records for phonographs. The widow, formerly Miss Rosinni Waugh, of Tipton, survives.

Bull Dog Tries to Alter Court Decision New York. —The testimony of a dog was ruled out by Magistrate McQuade, in court, when Rip, a brindle bull, attempted to convince him that he was doing a rank Injustice. Mrs. Charlbtte Slincker appeared against Mrs. Carlos Linares. Mrs. Linares brought with her the dog, Rip. Mrs. Slincker declared that she raised Rip frbm a pup and that he wandered away from her home last November. Magistrate McQuade ruled 'Rip was Mrs. Sllncker’s dog. Mrs. Linares handed over the dog and started to leave the courtroom. Rip gave one forlorn look at his departing mistress and set up a howL He pulled Mrs. Slincker off her feet and it required reenforcements to hold him. «

HI f Bi r ———— "■ rnniw”»

WHAT OIL MEANS TO U. S.

Lubricant Is Center of a Romance That Equals the Tale of Steel— Helped Win War. It is 60 years since the first oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania, thus inaugurating the era of oil, the Pittsburgh Gazette-Times observes. The discovery was at once recognized as possessing great value, but there could have been slight appreciation of the mammoth proportions to which the Industry was destined to grow. Hailed as an llluminant supplanting candles and whale oil, the business has widened beyond any possible dreams of those who were active in the early days of oil. The center of the industry has long since departed from the place of its origin. The Southwest and the Pacific coast, almost an unknown land in the Infancy of the business, now produce thousands of barrels to the original oil region’s one. Oil is used as an llluminant on millions of farms and In isolated places all over the world, hut that Is no longer the chief product of crude. Gasoline, at first a troublesome by-product. Is now the main result sought. The millions of motor-driven vehicles that have come into existence in the past score of years would not have been possible had we not had this desirable product to provide an explosive fuel to drive them. Vast quantities of the crude product are used to drive locomotives and ships. The war might not have been won had not the allies had access to the fields of Mexico and the United States. And not only as fuel does the greasy product enter into the

DRINCESS THEATRE 1 " 1 ' ! ■ " 111 — * Wednesday, January 21 MAE MARSH in “SpotlightjSadie” This is regarded by many as the best picture in which the talented little star has appeared. It tells the story of a girl far removed from the typical idea of chorus girls. Sadie entered the chorus because she couldn’t get anything else to do and because she was Irish and could dance andi sung with the A story of a chorus girl Who didn’t like short skirts in which the star stoops to conquer and fails. Also International Current Events Thursday, January 22 * FAMOUS PLAYERS Presents BRYANT WASHBURN in “Love Insurance” • Friday, January 23 DOROTHY DALTON in “Other Men’s Wives” She was poor as a church mouse, yet dhe hob-nobbed with the imiillionaires. That is, she hob-nobbed with them till she found out what their game was. Then, poor as she was She beat them at their own game and won the very man. But you ought to see THAT in the picture to appreciate it! Saturday, January 23 DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS in “HisMagestyThe American” All the joy out of life? Feeling blue and gloomy? Everything seems to be going wrong? Let’s see—guess you’d better visit a doctor; must be your liver or stomach or something. No? You don’t need that kind of a doctor? . , . _. Oh that’s different. You want a mental jolt, you say—something to give you a fresh start? Well, there’s only one chance for you—but it’s sure cure. Better go and see the joy specialist? Douglas Fairbanks, in “HIS MAJESTY THE AMERICAN.” Admission—Adults, 25c—3c—428c. Children, 10c—lc—11c PRIZMA SUBJECT «

WEDNESDAY, JANUAKY 21, IMSO.

‘A world’s commerce, but as a lubricant it lessens the friction of bearings, from the sewing machine to steamships. The by-products even enter the realms of medicine, and while the limit would seem to be reached In utilizing the waste from the refineries it is possible that further subdivisions may yet increase the number. The story of oil is a romance that equals the tale of steel, yet it Is an Infant in point of time compared the metal that has brought such wealth to Pennsylvania.

Byron Too Theatrical.

In its review of a recent work by the Italian critic, Emilio Cecchl, on English poets of the Nineteenth century, the London Telegraph says: “On the topic of the most famous controversy between European and British criticism —the greatness of Byron —Professor Cecchl takes very decidedly the British view, If Indeed he Is not carried so by his repugnance to the abundant alloy In Byron’s poetry, as in his life, as to make too little of the demoniac force which renders his anarchy impressive. Even that last expedition to Greece, which has commonly been felt to redeem many aberrations, has for our critic the fatal touch of the theater which the man and the poet so rarely escaped; and he compares him, much to his disadvantage, with that Genoese gentleman who rushed to embark with Garibaldi’s thousand In evening dress and a crush hat, and in this accouterment went to his death at Calatafiml — a De-Mussetllke figure, luminous with Its trusting smile, but touched with a purer spirit of religiosity than Byron could have achieved or understood.”