The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-08-22
Local Manufacturers Give
Statements of Opinion Of
Compensation Act.
NO CRITICISMS MADE HERE
Commission ii Summing Up First Years
Work Of Commission Declares That
Results Have Been Beneficial and
That Working of Law is satisfactory.

The industrial commission Of Wis
consin has just issued the report Of the
first years work Of the enforcement
of the workmen' S compensation act
aud the report is of interest on account
of the fact that it shows that large
number Of cases have been disposed
of by the commission and in manner
satisfactory to the laboring men and
to the corporations named in the com
plants In concluding the report Of
the first years work the members of
the commission say:
The commission believes the compen-
sationf act on the whole is of substan-
tial benefit to the employers and EN-
ployees who avail themselves of its
provisions. It is likewise Of substan-
tial benefit to the employees Of those
employers who do not accept its pro-
visions. In such cases the employee
has two chances Of recovering for in
jury where he had one before No one
act Of any legislature in Wisconsin has
done SO much to benefit the workmen
as this act.
Compensation acts in this country
are here to stay. Their worth has
been proven in every civilized country.
We present q table in this report
showing the states shat have compen-
sation acts and those that have them
.under consideration. It will be seen
that the employer who pays compensa-
ton Will soon be able to carry it into
the cost Of his product, and thus distri-
butte it on the consumers as a whole.
When this is done it can be, no more
hardship on the employer to pay com
pensation that to pay for a broken
machine.
We hope that all employers in the
state will take time to give this matter
careful consideration, and then decide
whether or not it is not better to ac-
eept the provisions of the compensa-
ton act voluntarily rather than to be
forced under by further legislation.
# employers will give the act conaid-
Grafton and actually decide of course
there can be no complaint as to the
conclusion they reach The act is vol
untary and the employers have the
right to make their election. We only
ask that they actually make the cleo
ton instead of remaining inert and
allowing the Insurance companies to
make the election for them,
The commission also gives authoriz-
ed statements as to then manner in
which the workings Of the act have
appealed to the manufacturers of the
state. The opinions Of Kenosha manu-
facturers are given as follows
American Brass Company; George
II. Allen, Manager-We can say in a
general way, that up to date we are
well satisfied with the law as it is
and with the way in which it has been
administered.
Badger Brass Manufacturing Com
pany; William T. Yule, secref8ry-We
have fully decided to abide by the
consequences Of the act. While we
have had numerous minor accidents,
we do not feel in a position to give an
intelligent opinion as to its workings.
Cooper Underwear Company; Henry
IS. Cooper, President From our ex-
perience we are inclined to think that
the new law is apt to encourage more,
nominal accidents than occurred under
the old law. We do think, however,
that it is a little early to reach any.
definite opinion on this point.
Thomas B. Jeffery Company; Charles
7. Jeffery, Presidents Thas far the
law has been found satisfactory to
this company and, we believe, to our
employees also,
Simmons Manufacturing Company;
w. ". Vincent, General superinten-
dent-Generally speaking we are well
pleased with. the working Of the new
law and have yet to hear the first com
plant BY an employee. Since coming
under the law, Sept. 2, 1911, we have
had about 700 accidents, compensation
being paid in twenty three cases. Ap-
peal was made to the commission in
one case which was satisfactorily adj
justea. There are some amendments
which might improve the law, but they
are Of minor Importance. We con
gratnlate the commission on the work
done and the manner in which it goes
about It and believe that the fair and
equitable policy Of your body can not
help but meet with approval in the
majority Of cases.
The aff;a;a1r oe ~ 49,. Cc,,,, 1 -