21 l] THE BENEFIT SYSTEM 79 



The greatest innovation was the provision made for sick 

 and accident benefits. The Association pays five dollars 

 a week, for a period of not more than thirteen weeks in all 

 in any one twelve-month, to members sick or disabled so 

 as to be incapacitated for work. The total amount that 

 may be drawn in any one year is sixty-five dollars. It is 

 provided that no benefit be paid if the sickness or disa- 

 bility is caused by " intemperance, debauchery or other im- 

 moral conduct. "^^ In 1910 the law required that a member 

 found under the influence of liquor should be put ofif the 

 sick Hst. To be eligible to participate in the benefits, a 

 member is required to have been in good standing continu- 

 ously for six months, ^^ and he must not be indebted to the 

 local lodge to the extent of three months' dues. Members 

 thus in arrears or who have been suspended are not entitled 

 to benefits for three months after dues have been paid or 

 suspension raised.^* Payments do not begin for seven days 

 after the sickness is reported, and no benefit is paid for a 

 fractional part of a week. In 1914 it was found that cer- 

 tain members were drawing the maximum number of 

 weeks' benefit yearly who were totally incapacitated for 

 work. In order to prevent this drain on the funds, the 

 union adopted the ruling that no member should receive 

 benefits for more than two successive years for the same 

 disease, unless he is able to work for at least three months 

 during the year after the first claim. Likewise, members 

 suffering from " incurable or constitutional diseases " were 

 obliged to apply for a total disability payment, after which 

 sick benefits were to be discontinued; and in 1916 the pro- 

 viso was added, " unless members shall recover and work 

 for at least six months." 



12 Ibid., p. 30. 



'^ The preliminary period of six months was required of memhers 

 depositing honorary cards before they became eligible to sick and 

 accident benefits. 



'*In 1909 this penalty was increased to six months ; and arrearages 

 were defined as " any debt either to the sub-lodge or to the National 

 Lodge, or both, for dues, fines, assessments, etc., either separately or 

 collectively." 



