Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-09
COMPENSATION SIMPLE AND PBOMPI I
One Purpose of New Law Explained to Board of Trade by Professor Fisher of Harvard Effect Will Be to Cause Employers Endeavor Reduce Possibility of Accidents.

accept the system he must notify the other party by personal presentation i or registered mai and must also nle his decision with the compensation i commissioner. It was intended to ex- empt from this law employers or casu- al labor, employers of labor in indi- vidual homes and those who do not regularly employ five or more. The attorney general has interpreted the bill to include all employees WhatsQ- ever. However, employers in these three classes may notify the comm1S- sioners that they do not wish to ac- cept the new system and will con- tinue under the same conditions as at present with all the old common law defenses.
 Exceptions.
 Compensation is to be provided ex- cepting in cases of Wilful and serious fault or intoxication on the part or the employe. Otherwise all questions of cause are eliminated It was intend- ed to make the compensation as sim ple prompt and automatic as possi- ble. Under the new system the em- plOye is not going to receive big yer diets. The largest amount possible to secure is $5,2O0 and that only in case of permanent and complete disability, but it is better to be sure of mod crate sum than to take chance un- der the old law, with the chances all in favor of the employer.
 Made as Positive as Possible.
 Compensation has been made as pos itive as anything human can be. Claim for compensation against the em- employer must give assurance to the commissioner that he can pay. If he cannot secure an individual Solvency certificate he may file a surety bond. The third way Is by insurance, either by employers mutual or by market policies. If any employer fails to show the commissioner that he can guaran- tee the payment of compensation in one way or another then he goes back to the class which has not accepted the new law and has none of the common law defenses.
 Prevention of Accidents.
 There is one other phase of the new system; prevention of industrial ac- cidents. The employer will have every incentive to reduce the number of accidents to the minimum as he knows he must pay. Deaths and in jurieS in industry are greater than amazing each year. In 80 per cent. of the injuries or deaths the persons are 40 or under, in the prime of life. There is a great loss in wealth to the nations by these years of productiveness which are. cut off. These accidents are in a SI cat 41ASdbNAO PI ISNSAldDIS. | 1lS number can be reduced if the country sets itself to the task of reducing them The employer will now have the hu- manitartan motive, the motive of broad business efficiency and the saving of expense of compensation to lead him to make an effort to reduce the num- Der of accidents. There is really a great gain to employers in safeguard ing their Workmen. Insurance will be sold in proportion to the safety of the plant. With the reduction of acci- dents the employer will receive a re- duction in insurance rates, he will se- cure greater, efficiency in his plant and will have the consciousness of having done something to safeguard human life and happiness.
 Showed Safety Devices.
 After MT. Shoe had illustrated va rious safety devices for different lines of industry Prof. Fisher answered questions, the meeting lasting until about 10.30.