MUTUiM. INSURANCE AGAINST ACCIDENTS IN AGRICUVTURAI, I^ABOUR 55 



The daily rate of compensation immediately succeeding an accident 

 which has caused disablement for more than three days, is as follows ; 

 2 francs per day for employers ; 1.25 fr. for their wives ; 1.50 fr. for male 

 employees above the age of sixteen, and one franc for women. 



In every case after the ninetieth day the allowance is reduced by one 

 half, and ceases after 180 days. 



The Society of Sarthe will not pay compensation in case of accidents 

 resulting from " an intention to cause an accident " or from neglect of laws 

 and regulations intended to ensure the safety of persons, and rules for the 

 management of horses and vehicles. Nor will the Society undertake 

 risks of accidents due to intoxication, madness, paralysis, quarrels, games 

 or betting. 



The services rendered by the Society of Sarthe are apparent from the 

 extent of its transactions. Its characteristic feature is clearly the insurance 

 of the employer, and it is therefore very desirable to ascertain to what ex- 

 tent employers have benefited by its provisions. The report presented to 

 the general meeting of 1912 gives information on this point. During that 

 year, out of 605 accidents, 287 were accidents to employers or their 

 families. Claims were paid for disablement to the amount of 14,209 frs. 

 and for medical expenses or medicines 9,580 francs were paid, making a 

 total of 23,790 francs against 16,000 francs granted only to paid em- 

 ployees. On the whole, those who have chiefly benefited by this intitution 

 are the employers, generally small farmers. The department of Sarthe 

 is in no way different from other agricultural districts as regards the di- 

 stribution of the kinds of farms or holdings. It is therefore most probable, 

 if not certain, that everywhere in France the small farmer would not only 

 insure his labourers but himself, if there were a mutual society offering 

 him the same advantages as those within reach of the farmers of Sarthe. 

 This is an important suggestion which should be borne in mind. 



