Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-05

|
These bodies act as counsel for both sides.
| Out of the $1,000 accidents which came
| under the operation of the act in the first
| year, only 325 resulted in arbitration cases.
The scale of compensation, in brief, is as
follows Compensation to dependents in
case of death-wholly dependents, two
thirds of average weekly wages for 500
weeks, with weekly limits of 81 to $40, and
a total limit of $4,000; partly dependents in
proportion to contributions to dependents.
For partial disability, two thirds of the diff
ference between the average weekly wages
before the injury and the average weekly
wages the employe is able to earn there
after; maximum, $40 weekly; maximum
time, 500 weeks; maximum total $4,000. For
total disability, two-thirds of average weekly
wages; maximum, $40 weekly; minimum,
81; maximum time, 500 weeks maximum
amount, $4,000 For certain specified in
jures, loss of both hands, either or
affection of the eyesght, amounts are paid
in addition to all other compensation.
Before compensation begins there is a
two weeks waiting perod"-principally re-
sponsble for the prevention of malingerEg
during which only medical and hospital
service are furnished the injured employe.
After six months, if the parties agree. the
board has defined personal injury" as amy
whole liability.
"1njury" Includes Disease
"If an employe =" says the statute
receives a personal injury arising out of and
in the course of his employment, he shall
be paid compensation" His own Serious
and wilful misconduct" is the only bar The
board has defined personal injury as "any
injury or damage or harm or disease which
arises out, of or in the course of the en-
ployment, which causes incapacity for work
and takes from the employe his ability to
earn wages" In a case appealed to the
Supreme Court, concerning tie payment of
compensation to an employe whose inca
pacity was caused by lead poisoning the
court sustained the decision of the board in
favor of payment and declared: at is clear
that personal injury under our act includes
any injury or disease which arises out of
and in the course of the employment and
impairs the ability of the employe
for earning wages" In another case, in
which the court on appeal ordered the pay
ment of compensation to an employe affected
by optic neuritis, the court called attention
to the fact that, "the word injury and not
accident was employed by the Legislature
throughout this act"
Acting Jointly with the Industrial Acct
dent Board in certain duties is a Board of
Labor and Industries. The joint board has
power to order the installation of safety de-
vices in factories mills, etc. and to make
what rules and regulations 1t deems wise
and necessary for the prevention of occupa-
tional disease. Violations of its orders are
punishable by fine. The accident board en-
ploys six inspectors qualified under civil
service regulations.
BY supplementary act passed last year
the State must pay compensation to such
"laborers, workmen and mechanics" en-
ployed by 1t as receive injuries arising ont
of and in the course of their employment.
and any county, city, town or district may
accept the provisions of this act by ma
Jorlty vote at the annual meeting or cleo
tlon. The INDUSTRIAL Accident Board admin
isters this supplementary act
Ihe success or the workmen's cornpensa-
ton act in Observation-Disclosures is the gem
eral good will manifested toward it's due
in large part to the fairness and tactfulness
with which II has been administered by the
accident board In one OF its bulletins the
board says that 1t has adopted the open-
door policy In regard TO the meetings of
employees Insurers and others concerned in
the administration OF the law, and freely in
Vites them TO call at any time to confer with
its members upon any case or question aris-
ing In connection with the workmen's com
act" The National Civic Fedora
ton, after an examination of the whole feId |
OF workmen's compensation is strongly of |
the opinion that the accident board plan Il
the logical method Of administration.
In Massachusetts,. in matters which him
erto have been prolific cause OF labor dis
putes' the act is coming TO be fully reeoe-
nized as a natural easy ana fair mode OF |
procedure and settlement