The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-06-26
THE OLD WAY AND THE NEW

THE OLD WAY AND THE NEW
One needs to let his mind go back
but short time to recall the condi
tions that then existed for cOmpari
son with those of today in reference
to the treatment received for injuries
sustained by workmen and their de
pendents during their employment.
Prior to Jan. 1, 1914, the idea of jus
tice to the injured workman was un
known in Ohio. When minor injury
befell him his wages ceased and his
savings, if he had any, had to be drawn
ON until he was able to return to work
If the injury was of major charac.
ter, or II death resulted, it meant a
suit for damages, with the intermin-
able court delays, heavy court costs
and large fees to attorneys to fight
the case through many years of litiga-
, ton, with doubtful outcome in a YER
dict and with little, If anything, left at
the end as compensation.
The damage claims and damage
suits were resisted by the liability in
5urance companies with all the force
and resources of their attorneys, who
were trained by long experience to
make fight, and there was no senti-
ment, no sense of justice, no humani-
tartan prompting in dealing with the
claim for an injury. 1t was simply a
matter of wearing the claimants out
with prolonged litigation, and If set
tlement were made, to give as little as
possible. This was the policy of the
i soulless, heartless liability insurance
companies, which insured employers
against such losses for big pay, dur
ing all their years of operation in Ohio
under the old order of things.
On Jan. i, 1914, under the guidance
of Governor James M. Cox, the work
mems compensation law became COM
pulsory in Ohio, and during the few
months that have elapsed what a
change has been wrought! Not day
nus passed without several persons be-
ing benefciaries of this, the most hui
name law ever written into the statutes
sf any state. There is hardly com
munity in Ohio in which its beneficial
effects have not been witnessed.
1t is no longer necessary to appeal
TO the courts, spend long years OF wait
ing, exhaust resources in fighting, and
hnIliy divide with an attorney the
amount of the jury's verdict, il one was
secured No matter how small or large
the injury, the claim is adjusted in a
dew days by the State Liability Board
s1f Awards, and payments, to those to
whom the awards are made are start
ed. Hundreds of injured workmen
have already enjoyed the benefits OF
the workmen's compensation act
Many a widow with little children
whom fatal accident has deprived OF
husband and a father, have found
the state of Ohio coming to their sup
port under this most benefcent law
The cartoon printed in this issue af
fords a striking comparison between
the old and the new way towards u
settlement for damages received by
workingmen, or their dependents
through injury or death.
.fGhe workmen's compensation law
has deprived the liability insurance
companies Of their revenues in Ohio
received from the distress OF the wi
dows and the orphans; and 1t Is the
liability insurance companies that have
been making the fight upon Governor
Cox under several DISCUSSES, with the
hope OF eneompassing his defeat anC
then secure the repeal of the work
mems compensation law
The fate of the workmen's compen
sation law is in the hands of the yot
ers of Ohio at the coming election.