New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-28
Relatives of Those Killed Re-
Ceive $112,879 Under Fed
eraI Governments Plan.
STATUTE A MODEL ONE
Solicitor Earl Gives Figures
from August /, 1908, to De-
cember /, 1911-$3OO,-
600 More Since.
rrrnm The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington. oct. 27.-Charles Earl, So
ucitor Of the Department Of Commerce
and Labor, has Just submitted to Score
tarv NageI OF that department compila-
ton ~ his opinions dealing with the gov
eminent workmen's compensation act'
under which compensation is granted Tor
iniuries 10 artisans or laborers employed
bv the United States. This is the pioneer
among compensation acts in this country
Since it's enactment sixteen states nave
nassea laws of a similar character, ana
the number Is likely to be increased dur
ing the coming sessions OF state legls-
latures.
The money benefits paid under this act
between August 1, 1908, when 1t became
effective. and December l, 1911, aggregat-
ed s704S14 60 paid to injured persons on
account OF non-fatal injuries and Sll2'-
$40 % paid to surviving dependents on
account of fatal injuries Since Decem-
her. 1911. additional benefits amounting
to nearly $500, 900 have been paid Dur
ing the first year after the passage OF the
net sos claims were submitted, or Whlch
csc were allowed. During the second
wear 1924 claims were submitted and q
400 allowed.
The present statute applies only to aru-
sans or laborers employed in certain specl-
fed branches Of the public service or IN
certain hazardous occupations under the
government. ANY workman covered by
the act who is injured in the course OF MS
emplovment is entitled to receive for one
wear thereafter, unless sooner able to re-
sure work. the same pay as II he con-
,ipued 70 be employed, except where the
injury was due to his own negligence OF
misconduct. If the injury results IN death
during the year. the compensation al
lowed is payable to the widow or children
or dependent parent.
Mr.. Earl emphasizes that feature OF the
act which permits Of the establishment
of a simple and direct mode Of procedure
whereby the technicalities and delays are
avoided and the relief provided can speed
iIv be given. and the further feature
whereby the government is forbidden to
exempt itself from liability by any con-
tract. agreement, rule or regulation. III
this connection he says:
The prompt payment Of compensation at
q time when the bread winner. is stricken
and money is most needed, without fore
ing the claimant to pursue an elaborate,
expensive and diatory process OF proof, Is
one Of the striking benefits Of the act.
Pcirg in its nature a remedial statute, 1t
Is rightly susceptible of a liberal inter-
probation as contrasted with a strict In
depreciation. in order to bring home the
benefits intended. Such has been the In
terpretatlon regularly applied by the Sec
rotary Of Commerce and Labor, without
Of course, disregarding any Of the linita-
lions Of the statute or extending 1t be-
yond its term"
In speaking further Of the nature and
benefits Of the act the solicitor states
that II marks a distinct step in advance
and substitutes an enlightened modern
view for certain obsolete doctrines Of the
common law. since 1t not only gives
remedy where none existed before, but II
valves the right Of the government to
exemption from liability and dispenses
with the necessity of appeals TO Congress
in individual cases.
The solicitor notes that more than H.
600 accidents were reported under the
act during the first three years Of It's OPP
Grafton, whereas only about 5000 claims
were filed, due to the limited scope Of the
law. and strongly urges this as an indi-
cation Of the need Of extending the bene-
fits Of the act by supplementary legisla-
ton. Such legislation, in fact has been
recommended by the Secretary Of Com
nerce and Labor. and measures designed
TO enlarge the scope of the act are now
pending in Congress.