Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-06
IN AID OF WORKMEN

lin ALL III WURkIv|tN
Continued from First Page.)
ly: a model compensation act was drafted
and reported last year to the federation,
approved by IT and set in motion as a
model In every state. where the fedora
tion was able to secure attention.
Statistical Information of the most
modern and scientific character is indis-
pensable to the formulation Of effective
correctives, and In this, direction as Well
our committee has obtained the adoption
in many states Of uniform blank rec
commended by the federation for report
ing vocational accidents.
Stands squarely Committed.
THE National Civic Federation stands
squarely committed to compulsory COM
pensation. without alternative remedy. to
the fullest extent that such a condition
can be secured. The cardinal reason is
that the remedies the common law pro-
vided have in the highly varied state of
development of modern industrial life De-
come wholly inadequate and inapproprl-
ate, working justice to neither employer
nor employee.
a
Is in progress. Be 1t said, however. with
fairness and frankness that it is not yet
concrete or uniform in its theories or
even in it's avowed purposes.
I'VE should confine ourselves in our
recommendations for compulsory compen-
sation to only the more hazardous and
more highly organized industries. capable
Of statistical report and consequently
subject for accurate measurement Tor
risks by the actuary. This Is the limit
nf hA Arot OF hA civ federation
taken In it's model act"
Senator Sutherland, author Of the con-
gressional bill, announced himself as
man who believes we are having too
United states He did not favor law for
which there Is no absolute necessity. The
uprooting Of old laws and institutions be-
fore we know that they can be bettered
is practice deplored by Senator Suther-
land.
Common laws defining contributory
negligence, applicable to injuries to en-
ployes, In the opinion of Senator Suth-
erland, evidently have been Outgrown.
They were established when relations be-
tween master and servant were simple,
he said, and had their justification in
reason.
Holds Old Laws Obsolete.
The Intervention Of many minor au-
thorities between master and man in
modern day conditions; the great in
crease in the number Of employees; the
great complication and danger OF mod
ern Industrial machinery and the power
that operates 1t. all these changes Of con-
ditions work the obsoletion OF the old
laws.
Individualism, providing rewards for
the deserving individual and his punish
ment for deficiency, actuates the view
point Of legislators in the United States.
said Mr.. Sutherland. Mr.. Sutherland
was in favor Of an insurance system
which would relieve Of an undue share
Of accident penalization such road as
kept down its casualties, and increase
the tax for this cause on the carelessly
conducted railroads.
The law has been framed. said Mr..
Sutherland, on the scheme that the ex-
pense should he divided between CORPORA
ton and employee. The details of the
law were explained.
n. E. Wells Urges Law.
H E Wells discussed various phases
of the subject Of workmen's compensa-
ton, especially from the standpoint of
railway employees. He spoke Of the study
he had made Of the compensation systems
in England and Germany. and stated his
belief that the bill now in Congress, If
enacted into law, will give to this country
the most advanced system or protectlon
for wOrkmen.
Speaking directly on the proposed meas
ure, Mr.. Wells said:
..if the bill does not provide for great
increase to some employees In certain
states, taking the country as a whole, IL
does provide a substantial increase in the
benefits payable. The average amount
now paid for employees killed Is shown to
be $1,221 only, and even that amount Is
reduced by attorneys charges and other
expenses in obtaining it. 1t must not be
forgotten that in a great many accidents
today the employe or his family get abso-
lutely nothing, whereas the bill provides
that something shall be paid to every en-
ploye who gets hurt at his work. and that
an amount that will protect the widow
and orphan from poverty also must be
paid, giving to them q feeling Of security
that cannot be had under the present
law" ''ss
Thinks Bill Solves Problem.
u