The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-12-30
HEAD OF w. VA. STATE IAeos
FEDERATION OUTLINES
PROGRAM
OF LEGISLATION TO BE SOUGHT
rive Measures Are Desired. Including
strengthening Of Workmen's
Compensation Law


Compensation Law.
PRESIDENT Harry p. Corcoran. of the
state Federation of Labor, has been
actively at work for several months.
IN conjunction with other labor lead
ers, on the program OF labor legisla-
tion which the State Federation will
seek TO push during the coming ses-
sion or the Legislature. Mr.. Corcoran
Is generally recognized as one of the
most active, efficient and level-headed
workers In the cause of labor in the
State of West Virginia. RE has given
literally OF his time and strength tn
the advancement OF labor measures.
and has been an earnest student of
labor needs. as well as of the peculiar
conditions and situation in West yir-
ginta. Probably no man in the State
IL better informed as TO the exact
status OF the labor movement and the
immediate possibilities for improved
legislation. and his views. therefore.
are OF special interest Speaking on
the subject TO a representative OF
The intelligencer yesterday. Mr.. Cor
coran said:
Five Labor Measures.
The representatives OF the State
Federation OF Labor will urge in par
ucular some five measures before the
next Legislature. These are not by
any means all the mattefs in which
labor VIII take a direct interest. We
nave. indeed. some thirty-five econom-
&c propositions in the general labor
program, but We realize that not all
of these can be satisfactorily consid.
cred al one session OF the Legislature.
IN ms LA
oy step. as public sentiment devel-
ops.
First. and foremost. we expect 10
urge number of amendments to the
workmen's compensation act We re-
gard the workmen's compensation
act as one OF the greatest; IL not the
greatest. forward steps ever taken in
the legislation OF West Virginia. The
working men of this State. we be-
heve. fully realize the value and inn
portance OF this act We know that
IL VIII be subject to some criticism.
ana We know. moreover, that the pres
emit act has some defects We want
10 remedy these defects and TO retain
the splendid humanitarian features of
the law. An amendment to the act
favored by the State Federation will
be 10 increase the compensation paid
In case OF accident. Particularly we
aim TO have the rate of COMPENSATION
based upon the weekly earning ca
pacity OF the party injured al the
time of the accident. and not sarbitra-
rily limited 10 rate OF SIG. Add
tional TO this. we think that the rate
OF compensation should be two-thirdsl
Of the earning rate of the party in
Jured. instead of a maximum of one
half. as the law now has II.
Another amendment TO the work
mems Compensation act will aim 10
bring about a rating of the industries,
so as to give a lower rate TO a factory.
n mine. mill or plant. in which safety
appliances are used. and which shows
low accident average. / believe the
law can be modified TO secure this re-
suit without much difficulty. and IL
VIII be modification that will make
the law more effective, as well as
work for humanity. II will penalize
the careless and neglectful employer
and encourage the careful and humane
employer. The working people of
this state want the workmen-s com.
pensation act TO succeed, and they
realize that inequities in the operation
OF the act must be incurred wherever
possible. II is unfair to make a care
ful employer pay for the carelessness
and neglect OF rival or competitor.
and we hope to see an amendment
that will enable the commission TO
rate every plant and place Of employ
ment in accordance with its casually
conditions. AS Il Is now. all employers
In one line are on the same footing.
and there is no incentive 20 an er.
ployer to provide safety appliances
and improve working conditions.
We would like afso 20 have a pro.
vision that at least one Of the mem
beers OF the workmen's compensation
board shall be chosen from the ranks
OF labor This does not necessarily
mean organized labor. but simply that
one OF the members or the board shall
have personal expei fence have some
knowledge of the difficulties and con.
diuons OF the working mans life.
Child Labor Law.
The State Federation of Labor will
also seek to have the child labor Law
strengthened. We will ask for laws
absolutely prohibiting the employment
OF children under fourteen years Of
age in any kind OF work. in mine. mill.
factory. workshop. store or elsewhere.
IN the state Of West Virginia We
hold that children under fourteen
H.NH "a Il q. 81 a