The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-08
PROTECTING TIE WAGE EARNER.


The growth of benevolent societies
which are designed to provide for indi-
viduals in case of sickness or disability
and for their families and dependents in
case Of death, has been one of the most
remarkable forms of social expires sion
observable during the past ten or fifteen
years. Practical results are those which
are now being most zealously sought by
the promoters of such organizations; and
a remedy for the steady waste which is
plain to. all expert observers in the ad-
ministration of the benevolent feature of.
fraternal and trade societies is being per-
sistently sought.
Within a short time a corporation was
organized under the Massachusetts law
which is notable in its way. 1t is known
by the title, The National Wage Farmers
Guild. In addition to the purpose of Sc
curing improved methods in the admin
stration of sick benefits and correspond
ing advantages, it seeks to improve the
conditions attending the health of the
Iaborer ard his sanitary surroundings
After careful study of the returns of
the system of health protection for wage
earners which has been in operation for
some years. in Germany, under govern
mental auspices, an approximate esti-
mate of the expense of caring for large
numbers of wage earners has been ar
rived at by.~those who =shave organized
this guild, and it is designed that the
members of the guild shall have the pro-
lection resulting from the care of COM
petent physicians at the bare cost Incl
dental to il. One can understand some
thing of the value Of the health work
contemplated by this guild by rejecting
that the plan IN operation in Germany is
so effective that the employer readily
complies with the law which eompels
him to bear half Of its cost
1t Is the purpose of the new guild TO
employ experts in the study of sanitary
matters whose duty it will be to study
the homes and work places of its mem
bers and secure the correction of any
conditions which threaten their health.
1t will also safeguard its members from
| ill-advised investments in the line of life
insurance, and by contracts made will en-
able its members to secure by small
weekly payments protection in this line
which has not in the past been available
by the average wage Garner.
The average weekly payment will be So
cents, with no fees for admission or mem
bership, all healthy men and women. be-
tween twenty-one and forty, being eligi-
Bile. This fee will secure the member
free medical or surgical attendance at
/ home or In the hospital OF the guild, will
or her sanitary surroundings, and SO pro
vide that $500 will be paid in case of death
to the members family or heirs, and
fully two-thirds the sum OF all payments
returned to the member, if SO desired, at
the end of the first protective period.
which will continue for twenty years
The favor with which the new guild Is
being received by wage earrers since its
suranee of its future success. 1t repre-
SCENTS one form OF activity in progress
everywhere to secure the best possible
results to the individual from the ex-
penditure of the money which he receives
as the proceeds of his labor. The condi-
tons of social existence are everywhere
being improved; more Intelligent methods
are resorted to in producing needed re-
suits, and waste, alike OF substance and
American life. is 'loeirs prevented.
i With the successful organization and