grOZ pen0 Official Organ Of the Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE
VOLUME 57 — NO. 10
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE SPJST, FOB 100, TEMPLE, TEX 76501
MARCH 5, 1969
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK A life insurance 'policy is just a timeyellowed piece of paper with columns of figures and legal phrases, until it is baptized with a widow's tears; then it is a modern miracle, Aladdin's Lamp. It is food, clothing, shelter, education, peace of mind, comfort, undying love and affection. It is the sincerest love letter ever written. It quiets the crying of a hungry baby. It eases the aching heart of a bereaved widow. It is a comforting whisper in the dark silent hours of the night. It is new hope, fresh courage and strength for the mother to pick up the broken threads of life and carry on. It is a college education for the sons and daughters — a chance for a career instead of need for a job. It is a father's parental blessing to the children on their wedding day. It is the function of a father's hopes and plans for his family's future. It is the premium we pay for the privilege of living after death.
HAVE A CHUCKLE The little Woman had spent the afternoon trying to balance her checkbook. When her husband came home, she handed him four neatly typed sheets, with items and costs in their respective columns. Everything was clear except one item which read: "ESP, $24.49." Warily he asked, "What does ESP mean?" She explained, "Error some place."
If you have ever built a house, you know that it takes a lot of time, a lot of organization and a lot of patience to get the thing finished, and done right. The builder optimistically asmired you that you would be in your new licmi,e by ,June. But June passed and so did July, then August. And even when the summer ended, you had
not moved. So much had to be done! First the excavation and the laying of the foundation. This must be foursquare and level. Then the raising of the structure , putting on the roof, laying the floors, fitting the windows and doors — and so much more — all must be done right. Else in a little while that new house will- deteriorate and fall
An EnglIslinta,n on a visit to a Texas ranch decided to take a horseback ride. The cowboy who was to attend him asked, "Do you prefer an English or a Western saddle?" "What's the difference?" the visitor inquired. "The Western saddle has a horn," replied the attendant. "I don't think I'll need the horn," said the Englishman. "I don't intend to ride in heavy traffic."
apart. In five years it will look twenty years old. Building a career is much like building a house. Each must have a sound foundation. In life underwriting, that means having a clear, working knowledge Of the elements that make up life insurance. Plus a general idea Of how they are put together. The successful underwriter needs not be able to figure rates; there are plenty of actuaries to do that. So he doesn't need to be able to recite the exact formula, for instance, for determining the premium on a policy. But he should know that rates are based on precise and well-defined mathematics. Then he can adapt this knowledge and translate it so that the prospect will understand the fairness and the value of the principles involved. To illustrate the translating of insurance terms, I recall the experience of a young underwriter. A policyowner complained: "I have paid your company over $18 every year for ten yeais on my ordinary life policy, and now your company offers me only about $1,500 for it. Why is that?" The reply was a fine example of explaining an actuarial principle in words that the average layman can understand. He didn't attempt to go