Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-09
Concerning
Compensation
for WOrkmen

There will be opposition to the pro-
posed compensation act from the
ranks Of organized labor. There will
also be support from the same source.
Certain of the building trades whose
injured have secured satisfactory set
Elements under the existing liability
law are out in opposition TO the COM
pensation act on the ground alleged
by them that it will restrict the LA
bility law; that 1t will greatly reduce
the benefits obtainable on account of
INJURIES that its operation will cause
employers to be less vigilant for the
prevention of accidents and that in
juries and deaths will therefore in
crease
Rebutting this argument, those fa-
vorable to the compensation measure
say that it does not in any manner re-
strict the liability law; that it will
spread the benefits of liberal compen-
sation to the vast majority of injured
who now get nothing; that instead Of
causing less vigilance against acci-
dents it will cause more, inasmuch as
1t is made the specific duty of the
commission to regularly inspect plants
machinery and operations whether un-
der the compensation act or not, to re-
port infractlons Of the liability and
other laws providing for safeguards
and precautions against accident and
aid the proper officers in prosecuting
such infractions.
The compensation act proposed at
the last session Of the legislature was
opposed by organized labor as a unit,
yet its provisions looked so good to
the average member Of the legislature
that it came near passing This act
has the approval Of nine commission
ers three Of whom are from the ranks
of labor as the representatives of the
stat efederation. Many unions will ac-
lively support the measure. Sentiment
throughout the state has grown more
favorable, so that on the whole II
would appear the measure stands a
greatly increased chance of passing.
A significant feature of the cam
paign for the compensation measure is
found in q letter just mailed to the
workingmen of Oregon and signed by
the three labor members Of the com.
mission that drafted the law Appeal
is made to the workers, organized and
unorganized, to petition the legisla'
ture in favor Of the measure. The
letter Is as follows:
. Portland, Or, Jan. 6, 1918,
= Workingmen of Oregon:
, Greeting: AS the three members
= representing labor on the Workmeni
= Compensation Commission appointe,
by Governor Oswald Wost, We deem /
=, our duty to inform you that the bill a
- drafted has aroused a great opposition
, from a certain class of attorneys, cas-
ualty insurance companies, and SOM
b, financial interests and inscription
, employers.
All of them are anxious to defea
this bill. They will bring much pres
sure to bear upon our Legislature ant
will be there in person to voice thei
objection. And unless you Mr. Work
lngman (the one who Is most interest
ed) take a hand, they will succeed II
their selfish object and defeat the bill
\ Realizing that you cannot go to tn
capital and urge the passage of thi
bill in person, we ask you to sign
petition and see to II that every work
lnglhan in your vicinity is given al
opportunity TO sign a petition to tn
.. 1913 legislature requesting the pas
j. hdBt VI lut WI hlllNll NOlnp'Hot'Ii'I
8 bill as drafted by the commission ap
- pointed by the governor; and mail
20 the address given below We will
G see to It that the petitions are pre-
= sented to the legislature at the prope
e time; and again urge you to act Il
this all-important matter at once,
e j. A. MADSEN,
II VIM. A. MARSHALL,
p X. A. HARRIS.
j. address all communications to
A. Madsen, 2iS Flanders street, Port
+ land, Oregon,