The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-03-28
Presents An Argument.
West Duluth, March 18th, 1896.

West Duluth March 18th, 1896.
Editor Irish Standard:
7 have seen in the last issue of the Stand
ard, that "a number of insured member
had expressed themselves in favor OF
graded scale according to age, and also
in favor of making policies 81 900, $4,000
and $4,000 ait the option OF members,
and that you also are in. favor OF Doth
amendments, if such they might be called:
For my part think you and the other
insured members would do we'll TO dlsa-
buse your minds of such ideas. By
graded scale according to age they prob
ably mean to grade assessments accord
ing to age For my part ! am quite sat-
isfied with the insurance department as t
is, and with the success we have mad
with it Of late. presume those contemp-
lating those amendments are young, mex
perienced men, wishing to experiment,
and are not satisfied to pay the assess
merts as they now are should there be
any grading Of assessments. l would say
that men from Is to IS years should pay
a. much higher rate than men older, from
the fact that men of those ages are more
exposed to accident than men Of greater
age, on account OF the pursuits they usu-
aIlv follow in life. A careful perusal Of
deaths in the insurance department will
bear me out commencing with assess
nent No. 112 and go on back to the start,
and see il there were not more young men
killed than men dying Of old age. Should
any grading be made, raise the rate Oh
hrakemen, miners, bridge builders, ETC.,
according to the danger following a mans
occupation, or let the matter alone. The
thought of rating at this late day Is pre-
posterous, the officers of the fund in the
past have entered into st.pulations With
members for all time, to do certain things
on certain conditions and it is impossible
for the association at this or any other
time to change the conditions of the same
without the consent Of all the policy hold
ers, With regard to making policies 81 600
81, 900 and $4,000, will not argue much
against it at present, but will say that
the first man taking out a policy for $4,000
will be a long time dead before he will
have his money in his fist, if the plan
don't be great deal more successful
than we have been in the past, except the
insurance department. would extend into
other states than Minnesota. 1t may be
said that I am some old conservative
afraid that the rate might be raised on
parties about my age, but have no fears
of that because a member of the insur-
ance department at an age that could not
be rated very high if age was to govern
rates.
/ once had occasion to oppose the same
proposition at a state convention at st.
Cloud some eight years ago and noticed
that those trying to carry the measure
were new members who had scarcely paid
more than two or three assessments, prob
ably many of whom became dropped long
Ia, al
divisions who advocated the same. How
ever as the matter has come up / think
it would be we'll for Divisions of the A. Q.
II. throughout the state to discuss the
subject with others, from now until the
state convention, IN order chat their del
egates may act jntelMgently when in con
vention assembled. Believing few mi
nor amendments are necessary in the
management of the present plan. I re-
main, Yours truly,
JAMES CONNOLLY.