Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-02

limbs and deaths Of the workmen whose
hands produce the product. When
piece of costly machinery breaks or be
comes old and obsolete, the manufactur-
er charges its cost into the price of his
goods. 1t doesn't matter whether a fault
in the machine itself, or in a piece OF
controlling or dependent machinery, or
whether lightning, fire or flood injured
or destroyed it, the loss is charged to the
cost of the product. This act asks you
TO treat workmen as we'll as you treat
the machine. 1t insists that the complete
cost of labor shall include all losses to
the workman caused by his employment,
and that these losses properly belong to
the cost of production.
The growth of the theory of COM
pensation to workmen injured in the
service of the employer has been
slow; every step in advance being met
with opposition. In the beginning u.
small payment limited to the masters
own negligence, next the broader
principle of the employers negligence,
later with the three defenses greatly
curtailed or partially abrogated, and
finally compensation without regard
to fault
The introduction of power machin-
cry and the factory system supplied
the impetus which developed the prin-
ciple of compensation for work acct
dents most rapidly. The greatest pro-
gress made in the theory of compen-
sation for all accidental injuries to
the workmen unless wilfully inflicted
is predicted upon the unprecedented
development of industrial conditions
in all civilized countries during the
past half century.
That the demand has not been soon
er felt in America is due to three
causes:
1st. That America, in matters of
social legisla ton, is probably the most
conservative country in the world; =
2nd That the American working
men are. as whole, in better finan-
eial condition, and better able, them
selves to take care of their disa bled
fellow employees;
3rd. That the American manufac-
turer is the most humane and gem
erous employer in the whole world of
commerce.
Two years ago the National Assoc
citation of Manufacturers of this coun-
try appointed a special committee to
investigate the whole question from
the view point of the progressive en-
ployer. It's members had long been
impressed with the continually in
creasing importance of the problem,
its appeal to justice and to the eff
cheney of employees, and with its re-
lation to widely proposed changes in
the nature of employers liability leg
isation.
After a thorough study of the situa-
ton among 10000 of the large manu-
facturers. a report was made at the
annual meeting of the association. At
this meeting the following resolutions
were given a passage:
whereas, The National Associa ton
of Manufacturers occupies a leading
position in all constructive work for
Industrial betterment and particular
~ for harmonious relations between
American employers and wage-work
ers, and
Whereas, The United States is less
advanced than progressive European
ma tons in respect to employers liza
bility and industrial accident indemni-
ty, to the detriment of the nation, its
institions and it's people; be it
Resolved. That the present system
of determining employers liability is
unsatisfactory, wasteful, slow in oper-
alton and antagonistic to harmonious
relations between employers and wage
workers; that an equitable. mutually
eentrlbutory indemnity system, auto
matically providing relief for victims
of industrial accidents and their de-
pendents, is required to reduce waste,
litigation and friction, and to meet the
demands of an enlightened nation; be
it further
Resolved. That prevention of acct
dents is of even greater Importance
than equitable compensation to in
jured workers"
These resolutions are not only of i'm
portance as showing how the great
body of manufacturers feel about the
problem. but they We're the direct
cause OF the employment by the asso-
citation of the two most competent eX-
ports that could be found to make
thorough investigation of the Work
mems Compensation Acts and the pre-
vontion of accident situation in the
countries of Europe and to report to
the association.
The report of this investigation has
been of material assistance in the de-
velopment of the Workman's Com
pensation agitation in this country
and indeed, in the framing of state
legislation. 1H -s5
From the more or less Voluninous
report, | ask you to allow me TO quote
very briefly a few paragraphs which
are Of especial interest to us here, to-
day.
From the investigation herein set
forth, your committee finds:
That limited compensation for per-
sonal injury received in the course of
employment is assured in the chief
states of Europe and many of the
British colonies. Such legislation sub
stantially predicates
That accidents, during work, fire.
quently arise from unavoidable risks
inherent in the nature and circum-
stances of modern production; that
the economic consequences of such in
juries should be borne primarily by
the employment in which they Occur
and ultimately by society in whose
service they are incurred and not