2133 "^^^ BENEFIT SYSTEM 8 1 



mine. The total amount paid for sick and accident benefits 

 was $88,755, averaging $11,834 per year. However, there 

 was little variation in the average amount paid per claim, 

 or in the percentage of the membership receiving benefits 

 on the basis of the maximum period of thirteen weeks. 

 The average claim was about $22; the rate of morbidity, 

 on a thirteen-week basis, was scarcely three per cent. 



The annual per capita cost of the death benefit, when 

 established in 1903, was ten cents, and in 1906 twenty cents. 

 The assessment was raised in order to put it on a sound 

 basis. This kept the fund nearly on a parity for two years 

 when the organization widened its field of activities to in- 

 clude death, disability, sick and accident beneficiary fea- 

 tures. The per capita assessment for all benefits was 

 placed at a fixed lump sum of 75 cents per quarter or $3 

 per year. Members in good standing leaving the trade and 

 desiring to continue the death benefit, as stated previously, 

 were assessed $2.60 per year and known as " silent mem- 

 bers." In 1914 such members were also allowed to partici- 

 pate in the sick and accident benefit by paying $2.25 per 

 quarter, apportioned as follows : 75 cents for insurance, 

 $1.00 for national lodge dues, and 50 cents for local dues. 

 As distinguished from the " silent members," they were 

 designated as " part paying members. "^^ 



In addition to the per capita assessment, the national 

 lodge received for the benefit fund $2 for every initiation 

 and reinstatement. The minimum initiation and reinstate- 

 ment fee was fixed at $5. Previously the fee for reinstate- 

 ment varied; usually $2 was collected. In 1913 the law 

 provided for an initiation fee graded according to the earn- 

 ing power of the members; $5 for members earning more 

 than $2.50 a day, and $3 for those who were making $2.50 

 or less per day. Also when a new lodge wa.s chartered, 

 two dollars was charged each member for the fund. Any 

 surplus was utilized in building up a defense fund. 



^8 In 1917 it was provided tliat " part-payiiiR " members must pay 

 to the national lodge $:».5() per (luarter, tlic allocation of dues being 

 as follows: 75 cents for bnu-lits, and $1.75 for all other purposes. 

 6 



