5 83 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



citing incidents, and the avidity with which political manipulators 

 seize upon opportunities afforded by the agitation of bodies of men, 

 wisely or unwisely, eager to secure material advantages through any 

 immediately effective agency, unitedly operate in bringing into promi- 

 nence those accidents and losses of life and property inseparably con- 

 nected with mining and railroading. In the United States the opera- 

 tives of railroads have, as already stated, been too generally left to 

 their own resources, though now public opinion is gradually forcing 

 upon employer and employe a recognition of the duty of securing both 

 the laborer and his dependents from the consequences incident to his 

 occupations. Where humanitarian considerations are not governing, 

 those of self-interest are more potential, and the increasing frequency 

 of successful suits for damages on the one hand, and on the other the 

 constantly accumulating difficulties of earning a livelihood without 

 steady, uninterrupted occupation incident to increasing population, 

 are unitedly forcing this question to the front. 



Recurring to the inquiry, by what means within reach substantial 

 improvement can be effected in the condition of railroad servants at 

 least cost, and with a minimum risk to capital and a maximum of de- 

 votion to the service, we have seen, by means of an illustration, by 

 what simple and inexpensive means partnerships, almost ideal, have 

 been effected by private enterprise in Europe, and such illustrations 

 might be multiplied indefinitely. 



Further study of the methods of foreign railroads in dealing with 

 this subject will show that their efforts (which must be successful, for 

 labor disturbances are very exceptional abroad) have almost uniformly 

 taken the form of benevolent societies, organized, or contributed to 

 and fostered, by the railway managements. 



The practical utility of such organizations has there been exem- 

 plified for many years. In their various forms (when established un- 

 der the auspices of responsible authority) they meet many of the 

 necessities of the railroad employe : they provide means for avoiding 

 insurance organizations unworthy of confidence ; lessen the risk of 

 insolvency and loss of premiums paid ; offer convenience, certainty, 

 and regularity in making payments, and give a fixed and definite rate 

 of assessment and compensation, in place of the uncertainties of co- 

 operative associations, lodges, or brotherhoods, in which many mem- 

 bers, though taxable on the death of a fellow-member, evade or refuse 

 to respond to assessment. 



Among such associations may be instanced the London and North- 

 western Railway Insurance Society and Superannuation Savings-Bank ; 

 the Friendly or Providence Society and Mutual Guarantee Fund ; the 

 Great Northern Railway Benevolent Institution ; the Great Western 

 Railway Superannuation Society all of England; the benevolent 

 institutions of the Chemins de Fer du Midi of France ; and a host of 

 other Continental societies, all having for their objects the succor of 



