The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-14

fixed compensation. Fewer men will be killed when 1t costs more to kill men.
 Of the 526 people killed 25S were mar red men with families; nearly half of the single men were contributing to the support of others In these two groups SS of the families left received not one dollar of compensation from the em- ployer; 93 families received not more than $100 sum which would cover req sonable funeral expenses but would not replace any of the lost income; 62 fam flies received something over this s1O0, but not more than $500; 61 families re- ceved more than this, some few as much as $3000, but most of them under 5000. In other words, over half were left to bear the entire income loss, and in only one-ffth of the cases did the families receive for the death of a regu- lar income provider more than $500, sum which would approximate one years income of the lowest paid of the workers killed.
 The report goes on to the discussion of injury cases
 Take first six men totally disabled for life, one Of whom lost an arm and a leg. one of whom Is paralyZed and four of whom will walk on two crutches for the rest of their lives. Of these six men, three received no compensation, one $30, one $125 and one $365. Then in 27 cases where men were partially disabled for life, their earning power reduced on an average 29 per cent, compensation was as follows:
 Twelve received no compensation.
 Seven received S100 or less.
 ''Six received s101 to S560.
 Two received over $500.
 Tn the third class, those only tempo rarily disabled, although certain cases show as great disproportion between loss and compensation, the averages for 22s cases show a much more nearly ade- quate compensation. The total loss of income for the 329 cases amounts to s37,- GIT, while the total compensation is $6,- 719-nearly one-sixth of the loss.
 For the loss of one arm two men re- ceived no compensation; one, $500. For the loss of leg compensation runs from nothing to s225, but in most of these cases the cost of an artificial limb is in cuded in the compensation stated Out of 10 cases of men who lost two or more fingers, six received nothing in compen- sation. one $15, two s100 each. and one, for the loss of three fingers, s250. Com pensation in these 10 cases averages $19 a hnger.''
 The report goes into the measure of actual hardship involved, gives details
 
 were provided for by Insurance, compen- sation or grown children. Of the histo- ries given of less favored cases one is selected:
 Alfred Putnam, employed by the Pennsylvania railroad, was working on a freight train at night Either the brake chain or the shaft of the brake broke and Putnam was thrown between the cars- He lost his right arm and his left leg. He was a man of 23. with a wife and two children looking to him for support. The Pennsylvania railroad com pany makes no direct compensation for injuries to its workmen, but 1t pays the running expenses of a relief association. To this Putnam belonged He was in the third class. paying s2.25 month dues, and when injured his benefits amounted to $1o.50 week for year and s5.2S week afterwards. Putnam had earned s21 week. His wife now adds a little to their $525 benefit by taking in sewing"
 As solution of the sitaution the report has this to snggest:
 Facts have been set forth which we believe Justify legislative interference CD