The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-13
Friday, November l3. 1914
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION

WORkMEN > CUMT ALVIN
Maryland now has in effect a
workmen's compensation law.
In one form or another similar
enactments have been passed in
almost every civilized nation OF
the world, and in more than half
the States Of the Union. The
old common-law theories of the
relation between master and
servant" are superseded by a
new theory, originating IN the
entirely changed conditions OF
modern industry, with it's rapid
transportation and its power
driven and dangerous machinery.
Senator Elihu Root has defined
this new theory with his usual
lucidity in these words:
To have great enlightened ma
ton ignoring the fact that in all in
dustries there are accidents, and
that evert crushed foot, every
broken arm, every ruined life that
is expended in the business is a
part of the cost of doing the bust
ness, is discreditable. All acct
dents, all injuries, are subject to
the law of average. The cost OF
/, ndn
by the injuries suffered in the bus
mess is just as much part Of the
cost of the business as the tools
that are worn out and the material
that is consumed 1t ought to be
paid for by the business as part
of that cost and not left to the
charity of the country at large.
With this principle most people
agree, although there are some
who think it would be more
equitable if labor should be made
to stand at least a part of the
expense.
There is little doubt that the
law will be amended and lmprov
ed and simplifed in many re
spects by future Legislatures
but thus far nothing RADICAL.
defective has been pointed out
Maryland industries must essen
TALLY adapt themselves to it IN
til the convening Of the mex
Legislature, and, whatever it
inconsistencies and uncertain
ties, if it be wisely administered
by the Accident Commission i
ought to prove its value withou
much friction.
To the working people 0
Maryland, at least, it should b
only an unalloyed blessing
There are thousands of accident
in the industries of Marylan,
every year which result in tenn
porary or total disability, main
ing or death. There has beel
a local law providing compensa
ton for the families of thos
killed in the coal mines, an,
there have been agreements be
tween employers and employee
in a few industries. But in gen
eral the only chance for compen
sation for injury or death wa
by a suit for damages, in whicl
the employer had all the unfai
advantage of the old defense o
"contributory negligence" as
sumption of risk" and fellow
servant. :" Such suits were cost
ly, interminably drawn out an
usually resulted chiefly to tn
benefit of the lawyers. Unde
the new law the injured man o
woman is assured of medical at
tention and wages while inca
pa:itated, and in case of dealt
his or her dependents are KEEP
from want for a reasonable per
iod.
The law should lift from man,
a mans heart the cold fear tina
accident to himself will result il
want and suffering for his wifi
and children. It's assurance t.
the wage-earner that he and hi
will be cared for will save hin
many gray hair caused b,
dread of such a contingency. |
will rescue from poverty and an
guish many a crippled workman
many a widow, many a father
less child. It will save man.
such from being objects O
charity or inmates of almshcus
es. The wageearners of Mary
land will feel the benefit of thu
workmen's compensation &C
in the months that are to come
and life will be brighter for mos
Of tbo,,o bocouco IF If Pal ri
more Sun. -
Representative Frank 0. Smith
who was beaten for renomina
ton in the Fifth Maryland dis
trict this year, has declared thai
he expects to seek the Demo
cratic nomination two year:
hence and try to redeem the
Fifth district from the Republi
cans. Mr.. Smith stated that he