Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-26
Insurance for ANYTHING.

The London companies issue policies on
every imaginable rsk-against the de-
probation of securities. against reduction
of salaries. against the loss of jeWelry,
AMI even the loss of keys or commute
ton tickets upon the suburban railroad
trains \ singer can take out policy
against the failure OF her voice, or
pianist against injury to his fingers. 1
have been told that Paderewski has his
fingers insured for half million dol
lars A dramatist can get new play
underwritten, and a novelist can insure
himself against loss if the public does
not buy his books. Horses. dogs BIRDS
and all other animals are frequent sub
jects of insurance. and since the enact
ment of the employers liza III ity law last
yeaI nearly every household servant ana
workman in England is insured against
accident.
Must Insure in Germany.
In Germany the government requires
working men and women to insure them
selves against accident. illness, intirmity
and old age. The compulsory insurance
law includes clerks. statesmen and house
hold servants and the premiums are
paid in most cases by the employers.
More than ten million of these o'd-aGe
and illness policies are outstanding IN
Germany today, and during the year
1907 more than siS,Ju0,1W was paid TO
the insured to cover loss of time. owing
to Illness and accidents, To the aged
and infirm for doctors bills. for medicines,
funeral expenses, nurses and for death
The law fixes the assessment, which Is
/ per cent of the monthly wages, and
unless II is otherwise agreed the en-
ployer of a workman, clerk. salesman or
household servant on every pay DAY Is
required TO affx ordinary postage stamps
to card furnished for that purpose
equal in amount TO l per cent of Inc
wages paid to the holder whose name
address. nature of employment and WAGES
is inscribed upon the card. If the en-
ployer refuses to comply with the law
and affiX the necessary amount OF stamps
it Is only necessary for the servant To
report the fact to the nearest govern
ment insurance Office. An inspector IS
promptly sent to inquire into the case.
and If the law is not complied with the
offender is brought before the court and
fined large sum. When all the spaces
on the card are filled the holder sur
renders it to the nearest insurance office,
where the amount is credited as premium
upon his or her policy ana ne or she
receives new caro-
Premium Regulated by Wages.
The amount of insurance depends upon
the amount of the premium. which. as l
have said, is regulated by the earnings
Of the insured. If a servant girl is earn
ing SO a year. which is a large amount
for Germany, she is practically insured
for that amount by the government upon
the payment OF a premium equal to one
per cent of her wages.
This insurance furnishes her free med
ical attendance, free medicine. the use
of a free bed in a hospital in case of
injury or sickness and funeral expenses
in case of death. The same rules apply
to mechanics and laborers in every class,
whose insurance premiums are paid by
their employers in a similar way.
4 bill will be introduced in the British
parliament during the present session for
similar system for the benefit of the
Wage-earners in Great Britain and lrelanS-