Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-10-07
One in Every Eight
WOrkmen Injured

utO III q Ndiip pdlbu VI dtCluGul pI0Ytu
tion, one in every eight of Oregon
workmen employed full time will b'
injured during the coming year. Thii
assertion Is made in the first annua
report of the state industrial acciden
commission, which was issued recent.
ly, covering the active period from
June 30, 1914, to June 80, 1915, and
also the period of organization from
November 5, 1913, to June 30, 1914
The estimate of injuries for the
coming year is the figure that holds
for the year lately ended. To the
end that accidents may be fewer the
accident commission will inaugurate
a campaign for the prevention Of ac-
cidents in Oregon. The present per.
centage OF accidents is not greater
than in other states, but, to quote
Commissioner Abrams, 1T is toe
great at that, and we propose to cut
it down"
I'VE will try to put a stereopticon
lecture on the road" said Mr.
Abrams, "and some one connected
with this office will travel through
the state and give the lectures. The
talks will be to workingmen as we'll
as to employers with a view to cut
ting down the number of accidents.
We will ask them to cooperate with
the commission in this work"
The report shows that during the
first year of the commissions exist
ence it has cost the employers $1.15
for each 81 paid to injured workmen.
The total operating expenses of the
office, not including the amount paid
out in claims, we're about per cent
of the amount paid in, considered a
very low rate.
Every accident we can prevent
during the coming year means a saw
ing of just that much for the en-
ployer," said Commissioner Abrams,
and the more we can cut down the
accident fund the more exemptions
we can give"
The commission calls attention to
It's exhibit at the state fair, which
shows the advantage of employers
under the act, especially
safety First" bulletins on
accident prevention, printed for the
benefit of employers, are distributed.
aside from the attitude main
aimed in the settlement of claims, an
phase of the compensation
iystem is the cost of administration"
Jays the report. "a tabulation of the
experience of all companies writing
insurance in the state
If Wisconsin during the year 1914
las been prepared by the commission
# that state. 1t shows employers in
uring with stock companies were re-
uired TO pay an average of S2.07 to
rovide the injured workman with 81
n benefits. The experience of the
Insurance company which, through its !
gents, has been most effective in OPP
osition to the Oregon act, charged |
he employers of Wisconsin $2.63 for
very dollar paid out in 1914 on ac-
cunt of benefits to injured work
len.
THE tables contained in another
1rt of this report will show that in
RECON during the first twelve
lonths the law has been in opera
on, only $1.13 1-3 has been re-
uired to place the 81 in benefits in
lie hands of injured workmen. This
ifference in cost is emphasized when
is recalled that Wisconsin has an
rea of but 56,066 square miles, a
Dpulation of 2,3S3,S60 and an av-
age OF 42.2 people to the square
lie, while Oregon with its 96,699
luare miles of territory, 672,765 of
)pulation, and an average of seven
,ople to the square mile, presents
,nditions under which the cost
light properly be expected to be
uch greater.
"The earned premiums of stock
in Wisconsin in 1914
to $1,424,27S. OF this
m, As per cent was paid or is to
paid in compensation benefits, 3S
r cent was required as expenses,
d IA per cent remained as profits,
a total Tor expenses ana profits or
per cent. In Oregon last year the
benefits paid out or
t aside totaled $370,2OO,46. The
expense amounted to
8, 9,52S.05, making total of bene-
S and expense of $41S,72S,51.
ith the same proportion of income
ed in expenses and profits, the
,ck companies would have required
. sum of 771,250.95 to have
ndled the insurance subject to the :
egon act during the past twelve
nths, a saving in favor of the Ore $
n method of $351,522.44."