The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-07
sTRIKE INSURANCE.


bat the demands of labor unions. when
those demands are regarded as unjust,
! a union of employers has been formed
! in Maryland. The plan includes a
/ strike benefit.
Under this plan manufacturer
Joining the association is insured for
so per cent of the actual loss of his
its. caused by a partial or total stop
page of production because of a strike
or walkout of all or part of the EN-
pIoyes. A strike beginning at any time
during the policy year is covered for a
term not exceeding the next 800 work.
ing days.
The organization, thus far, is repre-
sentative of manufacturers operating
thirty-four distinct industries distrib-
uted turnout twenty states. Each new
member adds to its effective strength
and brings closer the Sterilization of
labor conditions.
Since the beginning of operations,
the company, thru the deterrent effect
of its form of protection, it is said, has
prevented rs per cent of the strikes
by which its members were threat
ened. The balance being unprevent-
able, the company. it states, has
promptly and satisfactorily reimbursed
the members involved. some of whom
testify that their immunity from loss
enabled them to bring the strikes to
an early termination.
The reasons for the existence of
such an association or organization of
employers are stated as follows:
Present conditions must be met in
telligently and collectively.
Individual action is frequently more
harmful than beneficial.
Labor conditions must be stabilized.
Prompt action is vital.
There should be no concession to
unreasonable demands; such conces-
sions are harmful to industry. and,
therefore do not benefit labor.
Employers who are compelled to re-
sist, must be morally and financially
supported.
Co-operation, even if obtained by
pressure, will benefit both the en-
pIoyer and employed.
Employees are organized with def
mite purpose; employers are not.
Employees have insurance, strike
benefits; employers have not
cause of unrest; the effect is strikes.
In presenting arguments for the ex-
istence of such a corporation, the or
ganizers say in effect: Whenever a
catastrophe hazard has threatened So
ciety, insurance has stepped into the
breach, bringing order out of chaos.
For example: Navigation laws and
ship-building standards were laid
down by Lloyds, Underwriters: To
prevent the possibility of conflagra-
ton in congested centers, building
laws requiring fire resistant construc-
ton have been enacted at the instiga-
ton Of the fire underwriters: Pub
lie boards of health in all commune
ties are the direct result of the efforts
of the life insurance companies;
safety devices for accident prevention
in manufacturing plants were installed
thru, persistent urgings of liability in
surance companies; and finally, the
present basis of credit in the United
States was in great measure brought
about thru the efforts of the credit
insurance companies"
They now propose to cover with in
surance the money loss caused by
strikes-a risk at present estimated to
be more than fifteen times greater
than the annual risk of loss by fire.
They claim that this risk should
long since have been coverable by in
surance as fundamental principle
of business activity. They claim that
the responsibility for the condition
under which labor hasJbeen given the
dominant power in industry rests upon
the employer who, either thru fear of
personal loss or lack of definite plan,
fails to maintain open-shop conditions
in his plant and to demand that earn
ings be based upon the amount of sat-
isfactory work performed.