Although the United States Government has been conspicuously backward,
as compared with foreign Governments, in providing retirement
allowances for its veteran civilian employees, it has generally made
liberal provision for those who have served in the Army and the Navy,
and especially for the veterans of the various wars in which the
country has been engaged. In fact, in the payment of pensions to former
soldiers and sailors, and their families, not only as compensation
for wounds or other disabilities incurred in the service, but also as
a reward for brief participation in a war, this country has carried
liberality to an extreme not approached by any other nation. The
Revolutionary War cost the United States about $70,000,000 in pensions,
and every subsequent war, except the recent world struggle, has added
to the pension roll, which reached its high-water mark in the year
1905, with a total of 998,441 pensioners, while the annual payments
rose to a maximum of $174,171,661 in 1913. The Pension Office is still
one of the largest and busiest establishments of the Government,
although our latest war added practically nothing to its labors.
Shortly after the World War began, and long before the United States
became a participator, Congress established a new office under the
Treasury Department known as the Bureau of War Risk Insurance, for the
purpose of insuring American vessels and their cargoes against the
risks of war. In June, 1917, the Government provided insurance for the
officers and crews of such vessels. Finally, in October, 1917, the
Bureau of War Risk Insurance became the agency for a vast scheme of
protection and compensation afforded to the soldiers and sailors of
the United States and their families--a substitute for the old plan
of war pensions. Under the new plan three forms of financial aid were
rendered, as follows:
1. _Allotments and Allowances._ Every enlisted man was required to
allot at least $15 a month from his pay to his wife and children
and other dependents. To this amount the Government added family
allowances, up to a maximum of $50 a month.
2. _Compensation for Death or Disability._ This applies to officers
and enlisted men alike, and is the same for all ranks, but varies with
the size of the soldier’s or sailor’s family. A bachelor, without
dependents, gets $30 a month for total disability incurred in the war,
while a married man with three or more children may receive as much
as $75 a month. The disabled veteran is also entitled to free medical
and hospital service, artificial limbs, et cetera. In case of death
resulting from injury in the line of duty, the widow and family receive
monthly allowances.
3. _Government Insurance._ During the war all persons in the military
and naval services were granted the privilege of taking out insurance
against death or total disability (whether due to war service or
otherwise) up to the amount of $10,000, at a very low cost. This was
entirely distinct from and in addition to the compensation provided
as mentioned in the foregoing paragraph. The war insurance runs for a
period of five years after the war, and may then be converted into any
of the ordinary forms of insurance offered by commercial companies,
without medical examination. Up to July 1, 1918, the Government
received 2,579,912 applications for insurance under this novel plan,
representing $21,640,065,000 of insurance--an amount about equal to
that carried by all the insurance companies of the United States. In
some regiments every man was insured for $10,000, the maximum amount
allowed.
The Bureau of War Risk Insurance occupies a magnificent new building in
Washington and has about 15,000 employees.
Besides making these liberal provisions for the relief of its disabled
soldiers and sailors, the Government has embarked upon elaborate
measures for restoring them to health and efficiency. They are not only
given the best medical and physical treatment known to science, but
also taught various trades and occupations, suited to their condition
and natural aptitudes. During the period of treatment and training they
receive an allowance for the support of themselves and their families.
The Army and Navy, the Public Health Service, the Federal Board for
Vocational Education and the Bureau of War Risk Insurance all take part
in this paternal enterprise.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 7, No. 11, SERIAL No. 183
COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.