Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-05-25

Geo. X. Vending of the Weed Lum-
Der Co. makes following reply to the
article that appeared in this paper Of
last Saturday from the klamath Falls
Northwestern of Tuesday March 26,
entitled, 'Who Pays the Bill?"
He says:
Your editorial deals at some length
with the subject of Workmen's Com
pensation, resulting from the acci-
dents to employees while engaged in
gainful occupations.
The subject is of necessity a large
one, and to cover it fully would re-
quire more space than you could, or
perhaps would care to allow.
All thoughtful men, especially EN-
ployers, who have kept pace with the
trend Of events in the last forty years,
during which time the growth of labor
saving machinery has made wonder
full strides, have observed the grow
ing danger to workmen in this devel-
Opment, resulting in the ever-increas-
ing speed Of machines of all kinds in
an effort to reduce cost, to the end
that competition, the fiercest in this
age the world has ever known, may
he met. Hence the growth of speed
has naturally multiplied accidents, be-
cause the workmen In a large per-
centage are unable to handle them
selves with sufficient dexterity while
at work, to avoid accidents. 1t may
be interesting to your readers to know
that, for this very reason, the en-
ployers Of men on large scale, such
as the American railways, conduct
highly scientific Investigations as to
the hearing, sight, general soundness,
health and fitness Of their employees
for the work they are to perform, in
an effort to minimize danger to life
and property, II being recognized that
with maturing years the workmen be-
come less and less efficient the larger
percentage Of accidents in similar oc-
cupations occurring among the older
workmen in places where rapid move.
ment and action are necessary to
avoid accident.
These general principles are well
understood by the employers in all
civilized countries, and none are more
concerned as TO a proper remedy for
honest, prompt and uniform relief to
the injured workmen and those de-
pending upon him for support than
are the employers. What the most
practical remedy is and how 1t should
be applied to render the injured proper
relief--provide for the widow during
the period OF her widowhood, and the
children up to a reasonable age, is
the object of this article,
The German government, with %
years OF experience has established
the age OF l6 years as the proper age
to terminate penslonal aid to children
in order to avoid the development Of
sluggards. from the fact that to pen
sion youth to It's full maturity Is det-
rlmental to character building.
F''
Workmen's compensation is not
domestic product; It had its origin In
the Baltic and Mediterranean water
sheds during the latter half of the
nineteenth century amid the dense
population Of Europe, but Is praoti'
cally unknown among Oriental people
1t has been most Justly equltably
and scientifically worked out during
the last 25 years on the German stage
OF industrial activity
IL is therefore a foreign plant seek
ing habitat In the Western hemi-
sphere, where our statesmen In the
various states and in our federal con-
gress are ondeavorlng to solve the
problem Of "Workmen's Compensa-
tion,' both under this title, and under
the title OF employers Liability TIC
the end that we may have a practical
view Of what Is meant by "WorlSmens
Compensation" and employers LA
biIity,' ! will endeavor to define the
meaning Of these terms,
by "Worlmens Compensation" we
make provision by law, without trial
by court or jury for specific and alb
soIute payment for the injury received,
as per legally scheduled rating, the
workman receiving prompt payment
without the expense incident to It'll
cation, and without regard as to why
or by what cause the accident oc-
cufred-save and except only, injuries
ihst are self-inflicted,
BY employers Liability we endea-
vor 70 place the responsibility Of COM
penHaiion 10 the Injured workmen
upon mo shoulders Of the employer
'qr actual or alleged faults. this rc-
qulrlna EsnaralIy an action at law.