Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/789

 INSURANCE AGAINST NON-EMPLOYMENT 773

The following six attempts, then, are all that have become known outside the limited efforts of trade societies to provide for their own unfortunate. These are attempts to provide for the evil as an inherent one rather than as a temporary inconven- ience. The city of Berne, Switzerland, took the initiative in January 1893. This system, which, with some modifications, is still continued, is upon a voluntary basis. The city of St. Gall, Switzerland, established the second in June 1895, i n conformity with a law passed by the canton St. Gall the previous year. This was a compulsory state system and was in operation for almost two years. By a plebiscite on November 15, 1896, the system was abolished on and after January i, 1897. This per- haps is the most instructive instance. In the early part of 1896 a system similar to that of Berne was established in Cologne, Germany, to operate during the winter of 1896-7. This was initiated by private philanthropic agencies, but worked in con- nection with municipal agencies, and received a large municipal subvention. In May 1896, under the auspices of the Bologna Savings Bank, a similar plan was adopted in Bologna, Italy, to become effective during the winter of 1896-7. In 1895 the grand council of the canton Bale, Switzerland, appointed a committee to investigate the subject and submit a plan. The committee reported the following year and elaborated a plan in greater detail than any previous one. Though the plan was approved it has not yet been made compulsory as a govern- mental institution. Zurich and Lucerne have also taken steps towards formulation of similar systems. The Chicago enterprise above referred to, which began business with the current year, is the last of these, and is upon a radically different plan. It is a purely commercial venture similar to the many mutual-insur- ance companies of the United States. 1

It will be seen from the above sketch that no comparison of results can be instituted. But a comparison of the features of

'This article is in no sense a commendation of the company whose scheme will be outlined below. We state such facts as appear, without presuming to pass judg- ment upon the responsibility of the organization operating the plan.