This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 Excerpt: ... G. Curtis on Social Iisurance. At the meeting of the Michigan Manufacturers Association on the 15th inst., W. G. Curtis, president of the National Casualty Company, gave a short address on compulsory health insurance, which, he said, was only a part of extensive propaganda now being circulated in this country. He spoke of the history and development of this movement and declared that it did not have itse origin among business men. It is nothing more nor less than an extension of public charity and does not represent American ideals in any sense. Any plan originated by Bismarck, as this was, and endorsed by the kaiser, fails utterly in meeting American ideals. Its history shows that it has increased disability and lengthened its period. In Michigan there is a loss of wages of $35,000,000 annually through sickness and a compulsory health insurance law would cost the state $55,000,000, of which $30,000,000 would fall on the employers, $20,000,000 on wage earners and $5,000,000 on taxpayers. None of these classes would receive any benefits at all commensurate with the cost. The plan would create an economic waste which would be greater than ever. Efforts have been made in several states to get such a law enacted, but through a well directed educational campaign the bills have been defeated. Employers do not want compulsory insurance, neither do employes, as has been proven by action taken against it by many associations of both classes. Mr. Curtis said that the true remedy for existing conditions is health conservation, which he declared would accomplish much more at less cost. Sixty per cent of sickness is preventable and the logical and economical thing to do is to conserve the public health. The "Safety First" idea has saved thousands of lives in ...