The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-07-25
LAUNCH FIRST
/ U. S. BONE Dry
/ INSURANCE co.
Only Total AbStainerS Are
Eligible for Policies;
Firm Incorporated.
BY DANIEL NJ. KIDNEY

Americas first bone dry" insur-
ance business was launched here to-
day with the filing OF articles Of
incorporation with the secretary Of
state of the Temperance Life In
surance Company Of America.
The new organization is a legal
reserve company with an authorized
capitalization Of 100000. Karl p.
LEM. veteran insurance executive,
is president and officers have been
opened in the City Trust building.
Here is how LEM explains the
"bone-dry" angle Of the business:
The company, in its practical
operation, will confne the writing
of business 10 men and women who
are total abstainers. or. in other
words, strictly observe the eight
eenth amendment and Volstead act.
Saving in Mortality
This does not in any sense in
volve proselyting or commercializ-
ing prohibition.
statistics. gathered by old line
legal reserve companies over
period Of more than thirty-five
years. demonstrate considerable
mortality saving in favor OF the
total abstainer. hence the total alb
stainer is entitled to a common
surate reduction in the cost OF his
insurance. which, however, he has
not been receiving under the pres
ent plan of operation.
There is no sound reason why
premiums being paid by men and
women Of this class should be used
in payment Of alcoholic death
losses"
Ienz company will take the word
of customers that they are total abb
stainers and if they should decide to
take a drink or two after the policy
arrives, it will not be forfeited forth
with.
But, he explained. most Of the
business will be among known dryS'
sucn as preachers of abstaining
s, It's. Anti-Saloon League and w.
O.. T. u. members and the like.
Most of our business will be in
small towns where there IS
marked division between drinkers
and nondrinkers, and we are not
apt to make any mistakes In tax
ing people as risks who patronize
bootleggers on the side" Lenz as
serted.
Here are some of his statistics,
upon which he expects, eventually,
to make a 20 per cent saving IN
claims:
Ethan Miles Is Officer
The drinker at age 20 will live
an average of only fifteen and one
half wears. The moderate drinker
has an average life Of nearly 80
per cent shorter than the total alb
stainer. After age 20 he may ex-
pect to live twenty-nine and one
half years. The total abStainer at
20 may expect to life forty-two and
one-hfth years. This is based upon
statistics gathered by English in
surance experts, where a company
has had a temperance section Tor
eighty years
Temperate people in England only
drink with their meals, Lenz was
told. but he says this insurance
company permitted only total abb
stainers in the temperance section
other officers of the new COM
pany are Ethan A. Miles, Indiana
Anti-Saloon League counsel, first
vice president; William H. Kersh-
ner. former acknowledgement, Secre-
tary, and Chester L. Robinson, presi-
dent Marion County State bank,
treasurer.
Directors include Marshall D.
Lupton, vice-president of the Bev-
eridge Paper Company; Drs. j. w.
SlusS. medical director, and Lyman
H. Pearson, associate medical di-
rector: Ross Coffin. manager 70 the
insurance department; H. H. Har-
man, secretary board of education
of Disciples of Christ church, and
prominent prohibition workers in
other states.