Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-28
INSURANCE EXPERT
SAYS COMPENSATION
LAW is INADEQUATE
Social Body Hears System
in New Jersey for Aiding
Disabled Workers De-
clared Lacking.

Vital problems in connection with work
mems compensation we're discussed o.
the American Association for Labor Leg
lslation at its second annual session, II
the Hotel Walton. this afternoon. Prof
Henry II. seger, of Columbia University
president of the association. presided
The report of careful investigation
of the first three years operation Of New
Jerseys compensation law was made by
the National Committee on Social Insur-
ance through it's secretary, DR.. John B.
Andrews, of New York The conclusions
OF the reports, based upon careful study
and investigation, were that compensa-
tion was immeasurably superior to the
old employers liability system, but that
under the New Jersey compensation law
the payments on account of accidents
are inadequate, and that administration
through the courts instead of by COM
mission should be condemned.
The report pointed out that court
records disclosed many irregular settle-
ments where the injured workman was
induced to accept less than what he was
enIlJled TO unuer tne law.
In other cases, the report stated, the
widows of killed workman have been un-
able to collect compensation because the
New Jersey law fails to provide proper
security for payments by the employer.
New Jersey needs a new compensation
law based on up-to-date experience, and
other States should refrain from copying
the New Jersey compensation law is
pointedly suggested in the report.
SCALE OF COMPENSATION.
What Scale of Compensation Should
Be Paid" was the subject chosen by
Joseph A. Parks. of the Massachusetts
Industrial Accident Board, which ad-
ministers the law in that State. Referring
to the low scales in force in some of the
"a States, Mr.. Parks said:
with an average wage OF less than
$500 prevailing throughout the United
States, a so per cent. scale of compensa-
tion is absolutely inadequate, unjust and
The New York State Con-
ference of Charities and Corrections de-
cided that $S25 was the necessary income
to allow a family OF FIVE to maintain a
fairly proper standard OF living in New
York city and vicinity.
surely the so per cent. standard can
not be sufficient IL the average wage IL
too low to permit wage-earners to live
properly under normal conditions
AS a result of two years experience,
Mr.. Parks continued, Massachusetts
raised its scale from 80 per cent. to &C 2-s
per cent, and compensates occupatlonal
disease as we'll as accidental injuries with
the unanimius consent OF both employers
and employees.
FAVORs STATE FIND
L. P. Scott, an attorney OF this city,
declared strongly in favor Of creating
a State fund to insure compensation risks.
he feared, the small employers
would be at the mercy of casualty COM
panies. State insurance was also encour-
aged by Miles NJ. Dawson. consulting ac-
tuary. of New York.
The proposed compensation law for
Pennsylvania was opposed on the score
Of lnadequacy OF scale and insecurity Of
payment by a number of speakers. Fran
els Feehan, a member of the commission
which drafted the bill, spoke in Its de-
tense. Mrs. Franklin p. Iams, OF Pitts
Durgh, criticised the measure because do
nestle servants and agricultural laborers
are included.
The meeting was opened by the reading
If a message from Governor-elect Brum-
1augh, ''On Pennsylvania's Opportunity
n 1915"
Following the reading OF the Governors
Congressman Daniel J. McGil-
icuddy, of Maine. spoke on ''Workmen's
for Federal Employees" a
pill for which he has introduced in the
House OF Representatives.
"In a 800-page report" said Congress-
nan McGillicuddy. "the Federal Bureau
If Labor Statistics recently described the |
i've years operations under the present |
,ut of date and inadequate compen- |
iatlon law for Federal employees. The
'eport showed that fractures OF an arm |
,r leg have led TO payments OF amounts |
ess than $26; the loss OF an eye OF |
amounts varying between S2b and $50, and |
n the case of a loss OF a right arm the |
INJURED workman was entitled to a pay |
nent of less than $50, while in three cases |
If the loss OF both legs the average COM
was $S1.4o.
DESCRIBES NEW YORK Law.
John Mitchell. OF the New York State |
Workmen's Compensation Commission, |
the operation OF the New York |
aw. considered the most liberal as well |
IS one OF the newest in the country.
The State Worlrmen's Compensation
Commission In New York." said Mr.
GtcheIl. '1s handling oompensatable
laims under the new Law OF that State
t the rate OF 10000 per annum. and first
Iotices OF injury at the rate OF 2O0oco per
nnum. The commission Is now able 70 /
eep up with it's business, which Is cred
table IN view OF the fact the compulsory |
aw became effective on given day IN |
uly. and the full onslaught OF the
itate's business was felt by the commits
ion. Naturally there still remain some
rudities to be worked out and q few /
delays, but the progress OF /
organization indicates that within a few |
weeks everything win be running |
moothly.
LAW A PRACTICABLE ONE.
1T can be said for the New York |
tatute that 1t Is practicable one. and |
hat the end OF the hrst year OF admin |
stration win amply justify It's enact |
nent Employers win be more and more
atishsd as the rates are adjusted 10
Lctual cost Employees win be more and |
more satisfied as speed Is developed 10
he handling of claims Both Of these
equiTements Will easily be made BY the
development OF experience and the lapse