Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-07-31
INDUSTRIAL
INSURANCE
Geo. A. Lee Chairman Of Com
mission Outlines Benefit
of New Measure
SEES SPREAD OF MOVE
Properly Administered Act
Will Inaugurate New In
dustrial Era.

SEATTLE, July 29.-George A.
Lee, chairman of the new industrial
insurance commission, which is to ad-
minister the workmen's compensation
act passed by the last legislature, ad-
dressed the members of the Seattle
Commercial Club last evening.
Chairman Lee said that the visits Of
the different members of the commits
sion over the state has convinced
them that an overwhelming majority
of the employers and employees favor
the principle OF workmen's compen-
sation, and that wherever there has
been criticism or objection it has been
found to be misunderstanding of the
salient features of the act.
Sees Spread Of Move.
Mr.. Lee said that he would not
claim that the act was perfect, but
that as Washington was the pioneer
state of the Union in enacting COM
pulsory state insurance, it was safe
prediction that it would not be slow to
correct any of it's deficiencies and that
within ten years every state in the
Union will have compulsory state in
surance in one form or another.
General dissatisfaction with the
present system of employers liability
was the basis of this legislation in
this state," said Mr.. Lee. "The chief
objections which have been urged not
only in this state but throughout the
nation generally, with the old system
are: First, that only small pro-
portion of the workmen injured by ac-
cidents get compensation, and. as a
rule, they and their dependents are
forced to a lower standard of living
and often become burdens upon the
state through public and private char
ity; second, the old system is waste
full, being costly to the employers and
the state, and of small benefit to the
victims of accidents; third, that the
system is slow in operation, involving
great delay in the settlement Of
claims; fourth, that the operation of
the old law breeds antagonism be-
tween employers and employees and is
inconsistent with present day indust-
rial conditions.
Remedy Necessity.
"These evils of the old system be-
came so fragrant and pronounced that
remedial legislation of some character
became necessary.
"The law enacted is designed: First
to save the tremendous waste of the
present system; second, to provide an
incentive for the prevention of acci-
dents; and, third, to shift the burden
of economic loss from the workman
and his family to the whole body of
consumers. by making accidents part
of the regular cost of the industry
Nor Is this question new one in this
state alone, because economists,
judges, lawyers, representatives of
employers and others are constantly
and seriously agitating this question
the nation over, at this time. .,
New Economic Era.
The Washington act, if properly ad-
ministered, Mr.. Lee cOhtended will
bring about new economic and in.
dustral era in the state, will save the
enormous loss of the present wasteful
and expensive system, will wonder
fully, ameliorate the conditions of
workmen and their families, and will
produce better feeling between en-
ployer and employees which cannot
| help but advance the industrial pro-
gress of the state.
| j. Fl. Wallace, another member of
the commission, also explained the
terms of the new legislation, which,
he said, would be found equitable in
all its provisions