The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-01

| tilities be declared, these companies, it is
said. would Immediately take steps Tor
| the imposition or war extras" on all poli
otes issued to sS.diers and sailors after the
declaration of war.
The common practice OF the companies
with provisional clauses Is to require a
special permit from those policy holders
desiring to enter service, which is only is
sued in consideration Of war extra" in
the way of additional premium. This pre-
MUM is commonly per cent of the face
OF the policy per annum. Thus the usual
premium paid by n man taking out policy
at the age of 80 would BE- S22 on the $1,000
II he asked for war permit he would be
required TO pay an additional $50, making
total OF So per annum on each $1,000
carried.
TEN THAT BAR NOTHING.
The New York Life, the Confederation
Life. the 1oun Hancock Life, the Manhat-
tan Life, the Metropolitan the Mutual Life
OF Kentucky the Provtdent Savings, the
state Mutual Of Worcester. Mass, the sun
Life OF Canada end the United States Lie
incorporate no conditions and take their
CHANCES on the possibilities OF war lossc.
All the other companies took a more pru-
Dental course and hedgeG themselves rouni
with precautionary measures,
The way experience of the struggle be-
tween the States is primarily responsible
Tor the abolition by some companies of con
q;uops relative 10 the service. In the carly
days OF life Insurance business all the pol
icies Of the different companies had re-
strctions as to places OF residence, travel
II s, occupation and the like. But it was
found that these were practically worth
less AMI that the companies would not
suffer seriously by abclishing all of theta.
The fact is said J. II. Mays. that
tbs varioas companies have absolutely
nothing TO fear from hostilties. In he
days of the Fast war the business was vir-
tually in its infancy. The war was sprung
upon them practically without notice. aud
vet they dia not suffer. i'll prepared as
they were to meet the heavy Losses.
EPIDEMIC WOULD BE WORSE.
at has been the experience OF the life
insurance companies that serious cpl
eemic, such as yellow fever, cholera or
, smallpox. is more disastrous than the worst
| OF wars. The reason for this is that as a
rule the men who are willing TO 90 to war
ana work for the government for Sls
month. are not apt 10 be very heavy In
surers The largest percentage of insured
men entering suca service will be mem
/ "1fs or existing militia companies The
RANK and flo OF volunteers, aud OF men
drafted Tor naval or military service, are
usua!iy not insured, and IL they should an
pIF LOT insurance they would be required
70 put up extra war premiums
on tie other hand. plaques and eui-
uemics are as likely TO reach the wealthy.
VINO carry large policies as the poor, who
carry none. In the case OF war service. most
OF the companies are in a position 10 fail
PACK on extra premiums to recoup them
ssNes whlle IN the case of disease no such
| eSpedient is possible You can thus readily
gee mat all the talk of war fever and The
Iossinillty Of lighting that has been In
dnlged IN since February IS has not caused
NE insurance companies as much anxiety
as little three-line telegram announcing