Page:Economic Development in Denmark Before and During the World War.djvu/105

Rh periods of the year, or after a certain waiting time, were also suspended. A labourer could now be entitled to support even if he had work on four days of the week. Extra sums were paid through the Unemployment Societies to their members in addition to the statutory relief, or as relief extended beyond the time fixed in the statute. A considerable additional sum is now fixed, so that members who pay regular premiums receive at least 1.75 kroner ($0.47) a day from the combined sources. The unemployed, on certain conditions, also receive help in paying their rent, and further sums are allowed under special circumstances by the Municipal Relief Fund, e. g. if they have several children, if they are in ill health, or if they have heavy debts. This act was superseded by a new one of February 8, 1918 (to remain in force until June 30, 1918 later prolonged to the end of November), which made still better provision for the unemployed, raising the minimum relief to 2.75 kroner ($0.74) a day for full subscribing members with families to support. That the unemployed thus received a considerable amount of support is apparent from the provision that the daily sum should not exceed three-fourths of the current daily wage, not including assistance toward the payment of the rent, support from the Municipal Relief Fund, or a share in the relief measures taken by the municipality, pursuant to the act, for all inhabitants of the municipality or for those whose incomes were under a certain sum. It is the state which in the first instance will have to bear the burden in conjunction with these measures. Again, a new provisional act was issued on July 1, 1918, which in no wise altered the principles of the previous one; on the contrary, it increased the state grants. But between the lines we can read an admission of its own shortcomings, since it provides for the appointment of a committee to make proposals for amending the act, it being presumed and that is indeed characteristic that in cases where the support received through the Unemployment Societies is inadequate for the support of a workman's family, the deficit must be made good from the Municipal Relief Funds.