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.