The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-05-10
MEDICAL MEN
TN C0NCLAVE
TO FIX ~ COMPENSATION
ACT ACCORDING TO THEIR
IDEAS - LoNGSHOREMEN
FROM THE ENTIRE PACIFIC
COAST DIVISION IN SEES
SION AT TACoMA-FIFTY
DELEGATES IN ATTEND
ANCE.

Tacoma, May Z, 1912.
meeting of employers, employees, the
state compensation commission and ply
sicians was held in Tacoma May 8, un-
der the auspices of the State Medical
association to discuss defects and propose
amendments to the state compensation
act.
The meeting was addressed by mem
bers of the compensation commission
and DR.. NOVEL; of Olympia, after which
general discussion was INDUCED in by
all present who cared to participates
Early developments showed plainly that
the principal purpose of the meeting was
to consider compensation for doctors
rather than for injured workmen. Every
one present agreed that the present law
was deficient in that it made no provis-
ion for care and first aid to the injured.
All were of the positive opinion that it
must and would be amended to include
first aid in some form.
The great majority of those in at
tendance, however, We're doctors and
after a general discussion the doctors
settled down to a consideration of their
grievances against existing law which
fails to make provision for remuneration
to them. Resolutions were finally adopt
ed favoring the establishment of a fee
of $3.50 for making out accident reports,
$500 for special examinations and the
removal of the present $1,000 limit for
expert testimony. These fees to be paid
from the administration fund which is
contributed by all taxpayers.
The Pacific coast division of the In
ternational Longshoremen's Union met
in Tacoma May with over fifty dele
gates in attendance.
Secretary J. A. Masden reported splen-
did developments in the growth of the
organization last year all along the Pa
cific coast, Tacoma local having increas-
ed from 81 to 200 members during the
year, and all others showing splendid
progress.
President John Kean of San Francisco
made lengthy detailed report of condi-
tions of employment and possibilities of
betterment, urging greater uniformity in
initiation, dues and wage scales, con-
tinued effort to interest sailors and other
water front trades in transport fedora
tions in each locality in order that more
unity of action might be brought about,
the restriction of immigration, the neces-
sity of public ownership of docks and
wharves and urged the longshoremen not
to adopt any particular brand of poll
tics, but to combine in electing to office
the men who will represent their ideas
and enact laws for their uplift.
All of the officers in their reports were
severe in their criticism of the I. w. W
and their tactics
President Case and Secretary Taylor
of the State Federation of Labor were
present and addressed the convention,
urging stronger organization and closer
relationship with other organizations.
John Wallace of the industrial insur-
ance commission attended the Tuesday
session, explaining the compensation act
and the difficulties that have had to be
met establishing when longshoremen
should come under the state law and
when under the admiralty laws
These points are being slowly de-
termined and settled, but have been the
source of considerable annoyance.
Two delegates present from the Haw-
allan islands gave very interesting ac-
count of conditions on the islands.
The convention viii be in session sew.
eral days and Judging from the largely
increased attendance and the spirit pre-
vailing, they will not adjourn until some
good results have been attained.
President Kean is an assistant labor
commissioner in the state of California.
The labor commissioner of California is
the president of the San Francisco Labor
Council Needles to say that labor leg
islation is enforced.