Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-09

The new worknen'S compensation act was explained by Prof. W. c. Fish CT of MiddletoWn, formerly of the Wes- leyan faculty, at a special meeting un- der the auspices of the Board of Trade in their rooms in the shannon build ing Monday evening. At the close of Prof Fishers address w. B. Shoe of Hartford, an authority on the preven- tion of industrial accidents showed a number of devices for industrial safety filth the stereopticon explaining the nature and purpose of each. The meet ing was arranged through J. L. La throp & Sons, representing a liability company. There was a large attend ance.
 President James c. Macpherson opened the meeting and announced that there would be a business mems lunch at the Wauregan next Wednes- day noon when there would be a speaker to discuss the compensation law. He then presented Prof. Fisher
 Professor Fisher Speaks.
 Professor Fisher said that the work mems compensation act was a sys- tenn which had come to stay. All over the civilized world the system is be- ing adopted, replacing the old system of so-called employers liability. Of the industrial states of this country, Pennsylvania and New York are the only two which have not adopted the compensation system and these two will undoubtedly take up the system shortly.
 Not to be Increased Burden.
 This is not a, perfect system of meet ing the evil of industrial accident but it is much better than the old system under which in 99 out of 100 cases the employe received no solace for his in jury. Now the employers are going to pay limited compensation in prac tica1ly every case of injury yet there will be no net increase of burden on industry or society. Compensation will be considered as wages or expense for materials by the employer and will be figured in the cost of manufacture and added to the price of the commodity manufactured WOrkmen'S cOmpen- sation at large is a type of social ad- vance which we are facing and must continue to face. Industry has caused ly human relation to industry has only been touched. Workmen's compensa- tion is but one of several big problems in the relation of humanity and indus try which Connecticut and the world must face. The law is here and goes into effect January l. The problem now is to understand it for we must live under it whether we consider it good, bad, or indifferent.
 Connecticut Law is Optional One.
 The Connecticut law is an optional law, because of constitutional limita- tions. The old common law assump.- tion of risk, fellow servant and con- tributory negligence doctrines are taken from the defense of the em- ployer and with their removal the em- ploye has a fine chance to win a case in the courts. The purpose of the law is to avoid litigation and to arrange a positive scale of compensation. If the employer assents to these payments then his old defenses are not taken away. This forces the enploye to ac- cept the compensation system or get nothing as he has in the past for if he does not accept the system his em- ployer has all the old common law de. lenses. Thus both employer and em- ploye are put under Constraint to ac- cept the new system. Both accept the compensation system unless they file a statement of refusal. If either em- ployer or employe is not willing to