The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-19
Compulsory Insurance In Germany.

1t has been supposed that Prince Bis
MARCK looked back with especial pride on
the three projects OF insurance by which he
undertook to safeguard German working
men against the hardships and privations
caused by accidents, by sickness, and by old
ago. His scheme, it will be remembered,
differs fundamentally from that pro-
posed for French workingmen by NJ.
constants, the present Minister OF the
Interior. The latter would make In
surance optional with the workingman;
the former has made 1t compulsory. 1t Is
interesting to hear what German observer.
Prof. GEFPcKEN, thinks OF the workings OF
the plan by which the eA-Chancellor made
an approach to State socialism. The fact
that Prof. GEPFcKEN had once reason to
complain Of harsh treatment at the hands
OF BISMARCK may be thought to somewhat
bias his opinions, but his conclusions are too
firmly founded on facts and argument to be
discarded on the score OF personal prejudice.
A sharp distinction is drawn at the outset
between the German laws Of insurance
against sickness and accidents, on the one
hand, and those against old age and in
trinity on the other. Prof. GEFFcKEN Is
inclined to think that in the former case
from labor, without which the working
mans premium cannot be paid, exists near
ly always In case Of sickness, and in case OF
accident always, until the unfavorable event
takes place for which the insurance IS CAL
culated. Obviously. the danger OF being vis-
tied by accidents menaces the workinRman
only SO long rs his occupation lasts. and
experience has shown that in nine-tenths Of
IL. -.1-
when the disease begins. Keeping these
facts In view, the law framed by BISMARCK
provides that In the insurance against sick
ness the workingmen pay two-thirds OF the
premium and the proprietors of the fac
tories one-third, whereas In the Insurance
against accidents the employers bear the
whole burden. Prof. GEFFCKEN comedies
that both OF these regulations have acted
fairly well during the several years for
which they have been in operation. Both
concern. however. q relatively small part Of
tho working classes, the insurance against
accidents. for instance, affecting on an
average only eight per cent.
Very different IS the view taken by BIS
MARcK's critic o; the compulsory insurance
against old age and infirm!ty. This is, in
principle. a saving fund and accumulation of
capital for the purpose OF future enjoy
ment, and all by whom or for whom the
premium is paid will be entitled to share o:
it. From ten to eleven millions Of persons
are affected by this law. Prot. GEFFCKENs
objections to this scheme are many. He be-
gins by pointing out that, while it imposes
IN incessant and serious burden upon the
workingman. tho ultimate relief afforded is
inadequate. The law gives to all invalids and
persons above seventy years OF age the
samo yearly amount without regard to the
vide difference In the way OF wages which
they may have earned. The men. that
= 70 say. receive $50 and the women SO
annually. 1t Ia only after five years that
tho allowance gradually rises for men to
SS150, although the Prusslan mining soc!e-
ties grant their invalids from the outset
moro than $50 and the printers societies sol.
Tho payment In case OF old age begins only
upon tho completion Of the SEVENTEEN year.
although It appears that the hard-working
persons who attain that age are COM
narsttvely Sew In Germany. tho aver
age life OF workingmen in that coun-
try scarcely reaching fifty years. Such PEN
sions as those Just mentioned are. OF course.
Insufficient for support In the case OF old
are and invalidlsm, and can only be regarded
As q partial tightening OF the obligations
deyolvlng on tho local poor unions. 1t fol-
lows that the benedclaries OF BIsMARoKs
compulsory insurance will remain INDECENT
persons whose maintenance must In part
depend ON local poor funds.
While the gain is thus Insignificant, the
burden imposed upon the worxingman 10
considerable. He must begin his contribu-
.i,,. from, tina moment ho enters ono Of
those occupations which under BIsMARcKs
scheme entail the duty OF insurance. and he
must 90 on paying them for at least forty
seven weeks In every year. The law eIacts
q pfennigs from each workngman per
week and IA pfsunigs from women. This at
the end OF forty-seven weeks would give
total of about $3.50 for man and $l62i for
q woman. How Is the laborer TO pay these
contributions II he 10 without work. as must
certainly happen very often. before he be-