New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-15
Mr.. american Eats, Lois,
Rushes Himself to Death
Too Fond of Tasty Foods Drinks Excessively has rldooy
Muscles and Stiff Joints but Carries Largest
Policies Insurance Presidents Find

eyeglasses. His teeth put up good
front. but they need attention.
"Nis digestive organs nave beeh
given too many new and srduous du-
fios Under eXertion he IS short
MINDED due 70 lack Of exercise or
bad heart. lie is designed as an erect
outdoor animal. with feet and legs Tor
service. but he not only lies down by
night. but he sits down by day. HIS
400 muscles arc virtually all soft and
weak from lack OF use. lie never walks
when he can ride.
"Hc would not think Of mixing
bricks or scrap iron or gravel with the
fuel for the furnace, but he does not
hesitate 90 follow TINS plan IN furnish
ing fuel for his body. he seems 70
think 'auto-lntoXicatiou' IS some auto
matte way of getting pleasure. lie
should note the insurance records,
which show that. with those above
forty years old. having 6ftecn 60 eighty
pounds overweight, the excess death
rate ranges from 10 IS per cent above
the average.
On Downward Path
"He harbors the erroneous impress
sion that our gain IN conserving lie
has overcome all adverse conditions.
he points to a decline IN the general
death rate, and says our vitality there
fore must be gaining. The decline m
stead Of indicating an increase IN the
strength and sturdiness, simply SHOWS
that we have learned how 10 avoid GER
tain enemies, as we would step around
a dangerous beast chained in the street.
An abnormal increase has occurred IN
the death rate from diseases due d.
rectly to life strain, the direct results
Of the heavy burden Of service put
upon the vital organs Of the body"
William A. Day, president OF the
Equitable Life Assurance Society, the
chairman of the convention, added TO
the arraignmeut Of Mr.. Composite Az
erage American.
"As | see it," he said, Eve cannot
longer view with indifference the great
modern American sin of extravaganza.
4 well travelled Hindu is reported TO
have said in recounting his impressions
that Of all 'he lands he rad visited the
United States is the only one where
the inside Of a slice Of bread is eaten
and the crust is thrown away. This
nation cannot lcng wallow in Injuries
and prodigality and endure. Is 1t not
a patriotic duty 10 join IN checking this
destructive tendency"
Alfred Hurrell. associate general So
licitor Of the Prudential Insurance
Company of America, told the conven-
tion that. estimating literally, the
United States has more life insurance
than is in force elsewhere on the globe.
Frank H. Bethel, member Of the City
Commission on Pensions and vice-presi-
dent Of the New York Telephone Com
pany. was astounded al "the manner IN
which the taxpayers of New York City
have been plunged into bogs of unde-
termined depths Tin pensions) and az
the persistence with which civil en-
ployes resist any proper efforts made 20
bring sanity and safety into the PEN
sion situation
Jesse S. Phillips, State Superintend.
ent cf Insurance, vigorously objected
10 government management Of any
business, especially IN regard 70 social
insurance or welfare insurance.
The closing sessions Cf the conven-
ton will be held to-day.