77 o THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



been put into operation, it thereby inaugurated an Employes' Relief 

 Association, which was subsequently incorporated by special act of the 

 Legislature of Maryland, June 3, 1882. 



The Baltimore and Ohio board of directors, by a resolution guar- 

 anteeing the absolute fulfillment of all the promises and provisions of 

 the constitution of the association, made the following announcement : 



" To give further force and effect to this plan, and as an earnest of 

 its solicitude for their comfort and welfare, the company has con- 

 tributed $100,000 as the nucleus of a fund from which its employes 

 can derive pecuniary relief in the event of becoming incapacitated for 

 earning their livelihood, or by means of which, in the event of death, 

 they may leave some provision for their families, upon condition that 

 they will second its endeavor to promote their welfare by making such 

 contributions to the fund as will secure its permanency and effective- 

 ness. 



" The company will also, without expense to the fund, give the 

 services of its staff in conducting the clerical and other business neces- 

 sary to its proper management ; office-room for its records, etc. ; and, 

 whenever it is necessary or desirable to employ females or children for 

 such work as they are qualified to perform, preference will be given 

 to the widows, wives, sisters, and children of its faithful contributing 

 employes over other applicants in the order above named. 



" It will also make arrangements by which the children of those 

 contributing to the fund, under sixteen years of age, shall travel free 

 when going to or returning from school, over all its lines for distances 

 under ten miles, and will give half-fare transportation to contributors, 

 their wives and children traveling over its lines. 



"Also, having learned of the pecuniary necessities of persons for- 

 merly in its service, and being anxious and solicitous that its present 

 and future employes, although escaping accidents and sickness while in 

 the discharge of duty, shall not find themselves without means of sup- 

 port whenever, through approaching old age or the contraction of 

 infirmities, they become unable to perform the services assigned them 

 or to earn a livelihood in other pursuits, it has added to the indemnity 

 features of the plan its superannuation or annuity provision, which it 

 commends to their consideration and adoption." 



Subsequently this superannuation feature was elaborated under a 

 further endowment which nets the association $25,000 per annum, and 

 later on its savings, building, and free circulating library features were 

 guaranteed by and received the liberal support of the company, which 

 is also taking measures to establish a sanitarium and home for its dis- 

 abled and aged employes and their families, for which a beautifully 

 located and healthy site has already been purchased. 



In the preparation of this scheme the selecting and classification of 

 risks were among the earliest and most embarrassing of the questions 

 to be settled. All legitimate life and accident insurance companies, 



