The Washington herald., 1914-03-15
By KATHERINE CONAN,

--~e-&~Es
Editors note-This article, with Its
timely bearing on the problem of unem.
ployment in this country. is based on
first-hand observation. Prof. Conan is
now in Europe studying governmental
pensions and social insurance..
The first application on a national scale
of government aid to voluntary insurance
against unemployment was undertaken
by the new kingdom of Norway. The
year 1904 had brought serious Industrial
depression to Scandinavia. and the des-
perate endeavors to met the necessities OF
the men thrown out of work led to the
appointment OF a commission. Its rec
concentrations form the basis of the law
passed by the Stortbing in 1906.
Norwegian Plan.
The object of the law was to encour
age and develop the efforts toward self
insurance already in operation among
the principal trade unions. The statute
provided that the state and the COM
munes concerned reimburse one-fourth
Of all benefits paid from unemployment
funds organized in accordance with GER
tain prescriptions. Only such employ
ment funds are recognized as derive at
least half their resources from members
dues. and their treasures must be in
dependent of trade union funds and de-
voted exclusively TO the care of unem-
ployed members.
1t was recognized from the beginning
that without the momentum of a labor
organization. there was little hope of
enlisting wage-earners in the task of
self-insurance. But the nonunion men
were precisely those most liable to un-
employment, and the legislators felt that
they must be provided for. The law stip-
ulated. therefore, that a recognized
fund must admit TO membership any
man or woman exercising the trade in
question. whether or not he was affil-
lated with the corresponding trade union.
During the six years operation OF the
act, but one nonunion man has applied
for membership in an unemployment
fund. There are 800 Unorganized la
borers in Norway-unskilled men for the
most part. and with this one exception.
they are as yet uninsured against unem-
ployment.
Some Benefits Paid.
As TO the terms on which benefits may
be paid. the law provides that the un-
must be involuntary. 1. e.,
II must not have been caused by strike
or lockout, or by drunkenness or bad
temper. The applicant must have re-
ported at the nearest employment agency
without being able to find suitable work,
and he must not be in receipt of aid
from any other fund. No benefit is grant
ed until man has paid dues for twenty
six weeks, and never within the first
three days after he has announced him
self out of work. and not for more than
aAt. Iat tn nr
terms IL is possible to make an average
due OF seven krone (S1.90
per year cover the normal amount of
with an allowance of half
the daily wage.
In 1872 $3e.O0e were paid in benefits. of
which the government paid s9,S03.56- The
number of men belonging to the recog-
lized unemployment funds amounts to
Z, 900. only one-half of the total number
" union men In Norway, 1t is probable
hat the present industrial situation dis
,ourages thrift Norway is very prosper
Jus and labor much in demand, SO that |
Is not a live issue. Prof. |
aygg. of the University OF Christiana, in |
lis report to the recent congress on un-
makes clear the necessity |
u a campaign of education among the |
aboring classes by way of preparation |
or the next period of depression.
The Norwegian system seems well /
Idapted to national conditions, but it has /
ntireiy failed to reach the weaker unions \
md the unorgsnized men. A project for
evision Is now being discussed which /
nay render insurance against unempIoy-
nent obligatory for the seasonal trades
How Denmark Works.
The Danish law of 1907 also utilizes or
anized labor to promote this most diff
ult form nf insurance. The trade unions