New-York tribune., 1908-06-18
GERMAN INSURANCE
Torknlcn Are Protected
Against Emergencies.
Protected

ssn". md processes were invented for con-
f'0 ,,vr zraie ores into finished iron and
fs'"e Kr,,pp steel works on the edge of
ser" mighty Landmark Of the new indus
bs.,x- With over seventy-five acres of
TO and wards where twenty thousand
a.. are employed: with chimneys piercing
Steam hammers OF enormous weight
tae nos. complex mechanism for working
D. Guns II is the most scientific Of Eul-
sT <.-res Essen itself. which was not long
" s,eanx little town with ruinous tenth
:. church is now a manufacturing centre
no-u)ation Of two hundred and forty
VI end around Il are Dortmund. Elber-
1,--,en and g score Of other towns swarm
s+b skilled artisans. In other district
-,,--,snv has the growth of population been
AMID Of the creation OF scientific mechan-
s,- .,fIstrial progress more marvellous.
-,ch constructive ability has gone into
u.,ssi legislation for the industrial workers
: .--o the plant for the economical production
-, engines and high power guns. An i'm
- orslr-v Of workman has been considered
.-,,ortanr as an improved quality Of steel.
=, main object Of social legislation has been
:. increased efficiency Of the workers them
-.-ss hz making them provident. thrifty, self
..,s,ae,- and self-respecting. They have not
= s,c,s,raged 10 look upon the state IS a sub
..--s s,- Divine Provtdenoe-a universal pro-
z,.- that will find shelter for them when they
-. ho.eless. food when they are hungry. work
.a., they are unemployed. and that viii sup
-, them when they are sick and disa bled and
<-ss7n them Of in OLD age. They have been
-ss,ed 10 work out their salvation by pro-
-spe against emergencies through systematic
-vssrr,en1 Of their pennies. Their employers in
,vr. then against accident. but the workmen
,s-sefves are required 10 contribute regularly
!, .unds for emergencies Of sickness. disability
sc old age These funds are steadily enlarged
r. fhe wage payers and increased by the state
,Asnsve- pensions are granted. workn1en are
- heped unless they do something week after
-ssk 70 help themselves They are forced to &C
rspt responsibility for their own future.
ne German legislators have not invented an
.--6cial ulakeshift for local poo- law relief with
nd age pensions restricted 10 those who have
her habitualLy innprovident and with inquisi-
ru-s methods for ascertaining their worthless
rag This is the bungiing British method,
-Aich is threatening 10 demoralize the working
ssssss and TO impair their efficiency and self
-gpect AS much calculation and inventive
pu-sr have gone into the German laws into
"a mechanical processes for making West
rAzns one of the scientific centres Of steel pro-
i1rinn Nothing Ks done TO degrade and pauper-
zsie wnrknen- There is deliberate effort 10
-Hnnize pauperisn by developing habits Of
TIFF and improving the workmenli1e quality
Z scizensfrp. The wage Garner is the unit of
- system. and the benefits Of every class OF
u-Vulso-y insurance increase with his eff
a-v The only free gift is accident insurance.
-vhich the employer alone is liable; but the
z-E power BY the other systems Of insur-
~ combinations from the workman auto
Ticslly enforced. and the benefits correspond
wage earning ability. Whether he is sick, or
ernanently disabled. or too old TO work, he is
ut al object Of state charity but is protected
" his own savings against neglect and want
lis employer and the state cooperate with him,
5ut be plays his part in a self-respecting way
md receives what comes TO him without sense
u degradation. since ne has helped TO earn il.
The thousands OF Industrious workers in this
sntre Of skilled labor are not compelled 10 in
Fure themselves against sickness under the
rate laws. which are designed mainly for a
poorer class OF labor They can contribute 10
friendly societies and voluntary sick funds and
AGE exemption from the ordinary requirements
penny saving from weekly payments Of
vsges. They can choose their own agencies
wages and classes Of employment they must
make some provision against sickness. L other
SICK funds are not preferred. the agencies
sSa5lished by the STATE must be employed; and
ne system operates without reference TO age or
s1 The workers contribute two-thirds and
heir employers one-third Of the premiums, and
he management Of the sick funds is largely
the hands Of the working class. The bene-
Is are free medical attendance at home or in
nEpitsl AID sick pay at half wages for
psaod not exceeding twenty-six weeks Women
ave SPECIAL claim for childbirth and there is
aasral pay II the illness Of man, woman or
mid terminates fatally These benefits are Sc
ered by the payment Of a few pennies in
ssskly wages
cout-1butions are also made systematically
y Vorkrnen toward an old age and infirmity
'sad Whenever their weekly wages are paid;
s1c employers add an equal sum AT the out
- II was z non-contributory scheme, since
'snsioners c-ve- seventy benefit by it at once
rihout having earned the right by laying aside
ast pennies during long period; but during
~ est seventeen years the system has grad
ally become z contrfbutory one. with nearly
S'sn times Is many infrrnity as old age pen
Ans With The working classes infrnity
0nss ordinarily before the age Of severity, and
Pension can be claimed whenever workman
Unable 70 earn third OF his usual wages
ne pensioner. far from getting something for
ssaing, receives weekly payment in accord
ne with the class Of wage earners TO which
belongs and with the number Of years dur
Y which he and his employers have been SET
s aside the premiums. The premiums range
/ 'u seven 10 eighteen German pennies week
'n The work1en. with an equal payment from
employer. In the highest class the weekly
vii be fraction over four American
-4 Tor the wage Garner. In return he can
~''se after the waiting period between one
/ N-aon or the other. the annual payment 10
/ r--sioners for infirraity now ranging between
80 and So and those for old age from