New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-14

and rernuneratfve incomes are built up by de-
grees as the result Of intelligent effort The
office work in connection with the ordinary de-
partment is quite involved as an intricate meth
cd of bookkeeping. and therefore offers a ready
field for the development of individual ability.
The Industrial field operations are also always
under the charge of an executive officer general
" a vice-president and subordinate TO him there
are division managers, to each Of whom par
ticuIar section Of the country is assigned The
actual field work is managed by district super
intendent, assisted by assistant superintendent.
under each Of whom there are q number OF
agents, who collect the weekly premiums and
solicit new insurance. Industrial agents are
paid a commission for collecting the regular
weekly premiums and a special commission Tor
new insurance written. Industrial agents also
write ordinary insurance and thus increase
their incomes. The superintendent and assist
ants paid regular salaries, but they have an
interest in the work OF the district and receive
additional compensation for ordinary insurance
secured through their efforts Inspectors
are employed for the purpose OF investigating
different districts and for occasionally taking
charge Of districts during the temporary absence
of the superintendent, or for other causes.
The general office organization is divided into
a large number OF departments. each OF which
is under manager and assistant manager, who
in most cases have reached their positions by
entering clerks and often office boys. The
more important branches are the supervisors.
cashiers. auditors. bookkeepers. policy issue.
claim. purchasing. editorial. advertising. mail
and supply departments. Some companies have
their own printing department, managed as a
distinct commercial enterprise. with work limit
ed to the needs of the company. Life Insurance
companies usually publish weekly or monthly
publications for the instruction OF the agency
force and the information of the general public.
The qualifications for employment in the gen
eral office departments vary, but as a rule the
commencement is in inferior position from
which promotions are made to junior cIerkshfps.
special clerkships. assistant managers and de-
partment managers occasions arise The
employment is practically permanent once a
position of some Importance has been attained
for the unqualified readily forced out of the
service after sufficient trial.
Most OF the legal work Of a life Insurance. com
pany is in connection with the passing upon
titles, securities. investments, ETC. but there is
opportunity for the development Of legal talent
Of high order. and. aside from the usual quail
fications special knowledge of corporation law.
insurance law and medical Jurisprudence Is nee
essary and of exceptional value
Under direction Of the president the finances
are in charge OF a controller treasurer and
cashier. The general duties in this department
resemble the management of banks trust COM
divisions for the conduct of the different
branches of the work.
The actuarial department is in charre ~ .SA
actuary. The work is divided into different sec
lions according TO the highly differentiaI nature
or the work The main division IS actuarial and
mathematical. and the special requirements fer
employment In the last named department are
thorough knowledge Of mathematics and IA
miliarity with general Insurance PRINCIPLES and
practice. he
knowledge Of the practice and results OF other
life insurance companies.
The medical department IS In charrs ~ +r.
medical directors. who primarily supervfsa +rs
acceptance OF risks on the basis OF fndf,yt7,,at
medical reports made by local medical exam
1rers Every risk is passed upon by Office u1edi
cal examiners. and undesirable risks. for a va
riety or reasons, are rejected The rscufrs
ments for employment in this department ara
various. but thorough knowledge Of thu +reor,y
and practice of medicine. in particular Of life IN
surance medicine. medical Jurisprudence phvsi
cal diagnosis. urinalysts, etc, are essential
Local medical examiners are paid a fee for each
examination. the amoune> of which varies az.
cording 10 special and well defined circur1-
stances
Some companies maintain a statistical depart-
ment. under the direction Of a statisttcfan
whose duties include the collection and anaIvsis
of data pertaining to life insurance. the tabula
ton and analysis Of medical statistics spectal
Investigations into mortality problems and a va
rlety OF other duties not readily defined The
special requirements are a thorough knowledge
OF the theory and practice Of general statistics
some knowledge OF mathematics and a broad
understanding of social and economic problems.
of longevity as affected by occupation. climate
habits. heredity. etc A part OF the statistical
department is library OF insurance medicine
law. finance, etc.
In general way, IL may be said that the
scientific temperament is most likely TO lead 70
success I'm home office administration This
term is here made use Of in the widest sense
Perhaps the first principle OF success ia abso-
lutte accuracy. which. In other words means a
careful training of all ones faculties. since tho
trained eye is able to where the unframed
eye discerns nothing. Scientific training as well
all higher education distinctly qualities a
man for administrative responsibility.
The work of home office may be compared
TO the work OF general stan OF an army. the
very purpose OF which. in large measure. Is 20
seek the problems that ordinary observers can
not see II anywhere there is necessity for the
preaching and practice OF what President
Roosevelt calls the gospel OF intelligent work n
is in the Office and field administration OF life
insurance company. There is an increasing de-
mand not only for men OF energy and ability.
possessing integrity. tact and perseverance. but
also for specialists, TO bring to higher perfection
the numerous minor departments for the inves-
tigation of facts and forces beneath the surface
for young men of exceptional ability Is out Of