The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-18
activities; in general a wise and hui

diiu 'oh'i iputhS shiieu anu Colttllteu
members to the staff. admission to
which can be gained only by passing
a severe examination in which merit
alone counts.
W. have mentioned some but not
all Of the welfare %endeavors of the
Metropolitan for its employees first.
because out OF the spirit which con
ceived and put them into successful
operation has grown another work
Of greater popular moment. Observa-
ton Of the good effects produced in
Its W home suggested the thought
that the company's interests and
those Of the public generally ran par.
allel, II not In the same channel. A
lower mortality rate. an improved
condition OF health, desirable of
course to the insurer. is Of major
consequence to the insured, and to
every citizen; and now the Metro
p%atrons-it insures in its industrial
department 9,OOO.OOO persons under
13,OO0,OOO policies in the United
States and Canada-to educate the
pollcyholders and whoever else will
give ear In the principles of santa.
ton, temperance and right living.
Eleven thousand agents call at the
homes Of 0.OOO,NO persons weekly to
collect the premiums In the industrial
department. The agents distribute
pamphlets carefully devised for those
to whom they are directed. Here are
the titles Of some of these prints:
school Children and Their Needs
Sanitary Maxims Johnnie's Shoes tcall-
ing attention to the possibility of con-
tracing colds from wet shoes) Just
Flies (pointing out the hanger OF the
ny as a transmitter of disease) Daily
Health Hints Chinese Doctors EN-.
phasizlng the Importance Of preventing
disease) Summer Clothing for Chill
dren Seven Laws OF Infant Health Al
cohol and Public Health Adenoids and
Their Cure Hot Weather Hints"
But the health preservation service
does not stop at the distribution of
literature. The company sends visit
ing nurses TO the homes of the in.
sured to tell and show how illness
may he cured and kept away: its
agents. special and ordinary. are aid,
to every health commissioner in the
land the poiicyholdcrs are organized
for pioics and excursions, in the
course of which intelligent conserva-
ton of strength and Improvement OF
conditions are taught. Broader eff
forts are the provision of homes for
working men, moderate burial ex-
penses and emergency relief In case
Of local or national catastrophe The
circulation attained by some OF the
company's publications Is astonish.
ing. "A War on Consumption has
reached over 5000. OOO: the Baby Cir
cular." telling how not to kill infants.
"VhN ~ c,--D.ODV IL Nll'uluI TIolll
Flies and Filth and Fever to Food"
5,5OO.OOO; and the practical contribu-
ton of 32.6lO,OOO paper drinking yes.
sells to the public helped along the
punishment OF the common disease
spreading drinking cup.
In special cases the company has
issued circulars and booklets dealing
with local conditions. In ST. Louis
the merits Of a new tenement house
needed enlightenment by 100000 leaf.
lets In which the tenants rights were
emphasized. In many cities, Cincin-
NATL, Davenport. Moline. Boston and
Buffalo among them. the company has
fought for enforcement OF the building
regulations. The company has put
forth its strength for child welfare,
cleanliness and other good causes. 1t
has formed a Health and Happiness
League for youngsters, in joining
which each member promises things
many oldsters might ponder:
Il will wash my hands and face be-
fore each, meal, n my mouth and teeth
each morning and evening,
AS splitting Is unclean and helps 10
spread consumption and other danger
Gus diseases. / will not spit upon the
public streets or in public places.
Il will not use a public drinking cup. l
will use paper ones, or carry my own up.
Il will destroy every house fly / pos
sibly can.
Il will never throw rubbish in the
streets dirty streets make sick people.
Il will do something to help my
mother every day.
81 will try to do at least one kind
act to some one every day.
Il will permit no rude or offensive
word to pass my mouth. even when pro-
voked."
The officers OF the Metropolitan are
not blind to the public aspect of work
Of this kind. They gladly contribute
it. Yet they are the last to assert
that they are not, as managers of an
insurance company. seltishly interested
in 1t. Their attitude is that what
they are doing Is good for their trust,
and good for the people generally /:
and the people generally are fortu-