Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-02
HOUSE REPORT.
tcontinued from Page Five.)

their subjects, and when they brought
their new drafts back to the floor. We
other members gave them credit for
their labor and their knowledge: and
considered them as authorities when
the amendments were voted upon.
These two measures were fortunate
in coming fairly early in the session
before the various private bills and pet
measures had been disposed of.
The measure which we are now to
consider is not so fortunate. It comes
wnen we are tired, and want 10 go
home; it comes right at the beginning
of what promises to be n long drawn
out and vexing series of Impeachment
proceedings. Therefore let us be lit
tie extra indulgent and patient.
The workmen's compensation Act is
without doubt the most technical piece
Of legislation that We have considered,
this winter. Your subcommittee of
the Judiciary have taken the House
bill introduced by the gentleman from
Auburn, Mr.. Smith, and the Senate
bill introduced by Senator Stearns, as
q basis for the present new draft. They
have studied not only the acts but the
experiences of the several countries Of
Europe. and of the Is states of this
country, and they have picked out the
best points of each and blended them
all into well-nigh perfect bill. They
have worked days and nights for
months on this measure. They are
thoroughly competent men who have
soherly and seriously given their best
efforts. feel that we can trust in their
Judgment and I hope this House, to-
day, will accord to them the same au-
thority and courtesy that it accorded
10 the special committees on the 9TH
or two measures. The men deserve it
and have earned it, and the measure
most certainly deserves it.
Careful study and observation show
beyond q doubt that practically all in
dustries are subject to accidents caus-
ing injury and death to the workman
that the number of accidents in any Civ
en- Industry over a series of years is
more or less stable; that the degree of
accidental injury in any one group of
industries remains fairly constant that
accidents are governed by the law of
probability; and that they are to GER
tain degree inevitable. If we acknowl-
edge the fact that there is certain
accident risk attached to all industrial
employments, we must also acknowledge
that Justice and humanity demands that
the loss shall not fall wholly on the
workman.
Statistics show that large percent
age of accidents are not due to the fault
or negligence of the employer or the
nj
over $1,000 accidents showed the fol-
lowing results:
Fault of employer. - per cent.
Fault of workman, AZ per cent.
Fault of both employer and work.
man. l per cent.
Fault of fellow workman, per cent.
General hazard of industry, 81 per
cent.
All other causes. act of God. etc,
per cent.
Under the present system of employ
ers liability laws. damages would be
paid on, only ~ IL per cent. or one
eighth of these accidents. In other
words for every eight accidents. the
Industries would be liable for damage
on only one. and labor must stand the
loss of the other seven. Workmen's
Compensation Acts are designed to pro-
vide damages for the other seven acct
dents.
The granting of just compensation
for this large proportion of accidents
results in higher standard of living
for the injured workman and his
family; in a better education for his
children; in decrease in the num-
Der of persons dependent upon public
or private charity for support; and in
lessening the untold suffering and
misery which never come to public no
tice.
Workmens Compensation Acts are
based upon two great fundamental
principles. the one humanitarian and
the other economic. The humanitarian
principle is the theory that a work.
man injured in the course of his em-
pIoymeh is entitled to some remunc-
ration for his physical suffering and
financial loss without regard TO the
negligence or fault of himself or MS
fellow workman. This principle APP
peals to the sentiment and sympathy
of every man who is not so STEPPED
in ruthless commercialism that all
love and decent regard for his fellow
man is wrung out and dried out OF
his heart. Society and governments
no longer reckon the workers OF the
world as mere cogs in the wheels OF
production to be thrown into the Junk
heap when broken. They are not only
the all important essential of industry,
but they are fellow beings, fathers
of families, and citizens and makers
of laws. who have tired of calling out
for sympathy and now demand JUS
tice.
If you are fair men, you must 40
nit with me, that the remedy proVid-
ed by the present common law, which
an injured workman has against MS
employer for injuries is not only IN
adequate, but unjust ana not paseo
on sound economic principles.
The employers liability laws assume
that the employer is not liable, unless
he has been guilty of some fault, and
the workman or his fellow workman
have not been guilty of contributory neg
lieence. or assumed his own risk In the
course of his employment. AS l said be-
fore. under this system the employer
IS liable for only one-eighth of the acci-
dents
n-lfo .+atfcticc chou that In settling