The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-16
WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT
By l. ARMIES (Author of story A1abama")

 rock.
 They look first at the living conditions of their employees; the housing, sanita- tion, water supply and educational en- vironment By means of this insurance and accident relief plans they litt rom a Workman the burden of worry and rear of accidents and stellness.t He can thus do his job better on solid ground than on a quick sand His family, too. rests [ easier; the mother is less worried. me result is that the workman gains in eni- { cheney, and his children gain, Results Crop Out in the Boys } The German medical authorities claim today that the height, health and htness of the young men examined for military service is improving constantly and that this fact is due in large measure to "a years of social insurance.
 Here in Birmingham during the last couple of weeks there were 64 applicants at the navy recruiting station. all young men, a number of whom were the sons of miners Out of that 64 only r passed the physical examination. What would Germany say 10 that2
 A business man said the other day;
 Certain other things are of more im- mediate importance in the Birmingham district than workers compensation scheme. That's the paint on the house" '
 He is mistaken. It is not the paint on the house. it is one of the props; the very cornerstone indeed of the founda- tion Without this there can be no home in the real sense for the workman; nor can his efficiency be improved.
 The same man who, by the way. Is doing an immense amount of work indi- vidually on far-reaching, progressive 1 lines again urged:
 '"roo much legislation on the business 1 already in Alabama. Take that mass of bills, laws, statutes down in Montgomery now-it would fill a house. And all un- digestedi'
 Which is perfectly true. | No more labor laws are needed in Ala" bama, saving one that interprets and sim plifes' all 'of the others, and gets down | to rock bottom.
 A Suggestion for the Student
 Rock bottom, that is the thing. And go 1 to the Germans for it.
 No nation in the world has a higher all-round working efficiency than the German nation, and this is due, their scientists will tell you, because they do more for the injured workers. sugges- tion is that every coal and iron company and manufa curing concern in the Bir- mingham district which has not already done so detail one man in the company to take hold of this matter and at the cost of $3 he can secure some valuable data from the American Association for Labor Legislation, Metropolitan Tower, New York city, all during the year.
 Accurate, up-to-date information must be had at first hand If effective work Is to be done in Birmingham by the young engineers and mining men of Birming ham.
 This American Association for Labor Legislation was organized five years ago. | It is one of 15 national sections of the { International association, which in itser was organized in 1900, and now comprises sections in England, France, Germany, Austria, Argentine, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden Hungary, Italy, Hol- land, Switzerland, Spain and the United States.
 It is in no sense a union organ" Many of the leading manufacturers and cor poration men of the world, as well ths great scientists social students and law yers, are members.
 | But any fellow who waRts to get ahead can belong although presidents of com panies and big men generally lead in tho membership. The headquarters of this | International association are at Basel, Switzerland. The American association was organized to serve as a bond of union to all who appreciate the importance or greater care and uniformity in protective labor legislation The movement for uni form labor legislation, of which this as- sociaton is the most significant fruit, Is worldwide, and no argument is now needed to justify il. Resting upon an in telligent understanding of labor conditions it commands the approval of all thought fu citizens.
 A Guide Post to Labor Legislation
 It is the purpose of the association to guide the progress of labor legislation so that it may accomplish maximum of good with minimum of harm Not more, but better labor laws, and these enforced, is it's slogan.
 In all of it's work 1t has been the aim of the association to cooperate with other organizations interested in labor legisla- tion. Perhaps one of it's most useful functions has been to act as a clearing house for information and to furnish an opportunity for concentrated effort to the ever-increasing number of persons who appreciate the importance of labor legisla- tion and need only guidance to make their work effective.
 Covers Wide Field
 It has exceptional facilities for this purpose and can always command the latest experience of the world in it's field. One of it's aims is. by the study of this experience, to prevent the mistake and waste of effort which often result from hastily and careessly drafted laws. | While in daily communication with