The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-26
COMPENSATION FOR
INJURIES A POSER
CIVIC FEDERArIox TAKES UP SUB
JEcT TO CONSIDER HOW TT
MAY DE DONE.
WANT A MODEL ACT
AUGUST BELMONT TELLS OF
PROGRESS MADE IN OBTAINING
PROTECTION FOR FAMILIES
OF wORKMEN
WANT A MODEL ACT

NEW YORK. NOV. 50 -Deicsatcs
from nearly every State In the union
met in convention here today under
the auspices of the National Civic
federation to discuss the subject OF
workingmen's compulsory compensa-
ton. Besides the delegates appointed
by the governors OF the various states
In which workingmenfs compensation
acts have not been passed. or incom-
plete laws have been adopted, there
were at the conference rprsnrsbugzf
were at the conference representa-
t,yes OF Industrial, labor and employ
ers' organizations, and members OF
civic bodies. 1t is the aim OF the
gathering to frame a model compen-
sation act, modelled directly upon the
plan drawn up by the Civic federation.
which will be adopted as the stand
ard. and will eventually become law
in all States.
August Belmont, a leading figure
In the federation. presided at the
convention. His address to the dele
gates described the progress that has
been made, the difficulties encoun-
tered and the prospects for the
eventual adoption OF law that VIII
protect workingmen from loss OF
wages resulting from industrial accl-
dents and the families of working
men from poverty following the death
by accident Of their bread-w nners.
NATURALLY" said Mr. Belmont, the
workmen who have struggled long to
SECURE the existing liability laws
which give them the right to sue for
damages and the right OF trial by
Jury. pause when they see the claim
that through the political system In
the State of Washington the man IL
assured his compensation. and 1t ID
raised in their minds the question.
How may the injured workman be
guaranteed his compensation In case
Of insolvency on the part of his en-
ployerT
Recognize state Of Affairs
I'VE recognize the unfortunate state
Of affairs which permits so-caiea
dummy corporations to come into ex-
sstence, and that undoubtedly eHort
must be made to protect the wage
Garner against any .such. A eerpogas
lion with $4,000 paid up capital stock
NAV proceed to do business of $l,-
600. 900, and IL an employee becomes IN
tured the amount OF his compensa-
ton or damage would wipe The cor
poratien gu. OF existence
~ can without discussing this say
tn Won alphabetically that the law
ought to suppress fake corporations
which really have no capital. and that
n corporation should not be allowed
to be an employer which has no right
| to exist except as is represented ps
| the paper in the Office of the secre'
sary OF state. Many believe that W.
should find some way In conjunct'or
/ with our compulsory model work
| mems compensation act which places
| the burden upon the employer u
J guarantee the workman his compen
| sation-"
!, The general opinion appeared to o
| that the employer should be compel
| ed to protect himself by insurance II
| companies attending to that line 0
| risk. and that such insurance shoui'
be effected under state supervision
| Model Safety Act.
Louis b. Schram, chairman of tn
federatiou's national committee on IN
Improvement Of State inspection
factories. in a statement on progress
during the past year. said an impor
| tant factor in advancement was III
| adoption by the International Asso
cation Of Factory Inspectors OF tn
committees model safety act. and IT
| minimum essential accident reportin
blank.
/ George Sutherland. Upited State
| senator from Utah. and chairman o
the federation compensation commis
| sion, said: :,
.IJnder the present law the rail-
roads of the country pay out $4,000,
4 coo yearly In compensation for acci
dents. Under the proposed law sls'
| 100000 win be available. In orde
that this fund Of $18.000.ooo may no
be depleted. the law in Its initial stag
/ makes rrinimum OF $e5 and max
imum OF $50.
Speaks to Railroad Men.
II want to say to railroad MN VIII
NAV be present that II the propose
law has to be revised-and ii will b
+, remarkable Ii the law we're PET
At its fret saraft-the revision VIII nc
be downward"
Il am opposed to federal legisla
ton In workmen's compensation a
present. We want to see what tn
States will do. and profit by their mis-
| takes" said W. S, Carter. presider
OF the Brotherhood OF Locomotiv
Ffremen and Enginemen. in an ener
getic attack on Senator Sutherland.
He said that the proposed la'
would let the railroads give the In
|, jured man an easy job instead
, financial compensation. Flayme IN
and gatemen's jobs paying 95 per Ger
OF the amount Of the compensate
, they would be awarded.
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