76 ASSOCIATION OF IRON, STEEL AND TIN WORKERS [[208 



tober I, 1908. The system which was initiated and which 

 replaced the old death benefit will be discussed under three 

 general heads: (a) the character of the several benefits; 

 (b) the cost of benefits and the amount of claims paid ; and 

 {c) the administration of the funds. 



The new law provided for death benefits graded as fol- 

 lows: (a) a death benefit of $100, after three months' con- 

 tinuous good standing; $150, after two years; $200, after 

 three years; $300, after five years; and $500, after ten 

 years. The grading of the benefits serves a two-fold pur- 

 pose: first, as a protection to the funds, since the minimum 

 is hardly large enough to be attractive to " bad risks" ; and 

 second, as an eflfective agency in holding members. The 

 requirement of a preliminary term of membership for eligi- 

 bility to the benefit serves as a protection against the en- 

 trance of persons in ill health. Since no deliberate selection 

 of risks is made, the mortality is higher than it would be 

 if the applicants were examined. But the death benefit is 

 considered not so much a matter of strict business as of 

 charity ; and the slightly increased cost is regarded as more 

 than compensated for by the increased solidarity of organi- 

 zation. Members of the union quitting the trade, by be- 

 coming silent members, may continue the death benefit at 

 a rate not exceeding $2.60 a year, payable quarterly or 

 yearly in advance. Any silent member failing to pay his 

 fee allows his claim to lapse, and is not again permitted to 

 become a silent member. No silent member is entitled to 

 more benefits than the amount he would have received at 

 the time of his withdrawal by honorary card. Applications 

 for honorary cards and silent membership must be made 

 at the same time. 



The rate of mortality, according to the records of the 

 union during the period of twelve and one-half years, dur- 

 ing which death benefits have been paid, is fairly even. 

 With the exception of one year, in which it was abnormally 

 low (due perhaps to the abnormal condition of the union 



