The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-03-05
Endorsement Of Proposed Labor
Benefit Measure by Chamber
Opens Discussion = ''.
EMPLOYERS INTERESTED
IN COMPLICATED REFORM
They Are Agreed In Principle
That Deserving Workmen so'
Should Have Protection

"Resolved, That the chamber of COM
merce 60 on record as favoring a work
men 8 compensation act, leaving to the
legislation committee OF the chamber
the adjustment Of the proper principles
to be incorporated therein -
This resolution was passed at the 'spe-
cial meeting of the chamber of com
H.eree Wednesday afternoon on motion
Of W. r. Castle and places the organ
ization squarely on record as being in
favor of an act providing for direct an
speedy reeompense to employees injured
IN performing duties for their employ
ers. IL the general opinions expressed
are followed the law will apply to farm
Iaborers as well as industrial workers.
In arriving at the decision to indorse
the ,.workmen 3 compensation principle
the members Of the organization were
aided and guided largely by Frederick
l.. Hoffman,. statistician of the Pruden.
tial Insurance Company of Newark,
New Jersey. Mr.. Hoffman is in Ha.
wall for one month to make study
Of race, health and economic conditions
in the course of which he will visit all
the islands, 80. ..
Mt. Holman Competent mr..
nolulans on the subject of injury com.
pensation is attested by the fact that
he is one of the acknowledged experts
on the mainland and has just complet-
ell a comprehensive and exhaustive re.
port for the United States government
on labor compensation conditions of
the nation. He is also author of sew
eral books and treatises on industrial
regulations. 49,.
Acting. President w. r. Harrington
presided at the session and those who
entered into the discussion aside from
Mr.. Hoffman were Charles X. Hemen-
way, A. Lewis Jr., Robert Cation, J..
+. c. Hagens, Jack Lucas, J.. T. War.
rem, d. l.. Wilmington, Walter Dilling-
ham, Hcno X. Myers and w. R. Castle.
Discussion was opened by an expla.
nation Of the proposed get by Mr.,
llemenway. He pointed out that under
tho proposed now order Of things neeli-
gence or carelessness on the part of
the. employee would be Fundamental
Unless the accident was the result of
deliberate effort or in case Of intoxica-
ton.
lie pointed out that the advantages
would lie better distribution of loss;
greater certainty of amount of eompen-
sation than at present, where compen-
sation rests in the within or sympathy
of a jury; that 1t would promote bet
ter and closer relations between en-
Ployer and employee; that there would
be Il lossening of litigation and the at
tendant removal of loss to both parties
to litigation.
Probable Disadvantages
Mr.. Hemenway pointed out probable
disadvantages also in that, knowing
that compensation would follow dis.
ability, workmen might grow more
careless; also that there might be ten
dCncy for injured workmen to take
advantage of the law and remain away
from employment longer than if they
were spurred on by the need Of their
regular salary as now is the case.
lie explained the compulsory and
elective systems employed on the main
land which bind employers and an
ployes and also the SO called direct and
indirect methods of paying of com
penSatiOns. He cited statistics and
modes from twenty-fouH different
States OF the Union.
The compulsory system automatical
ly abrOPate other injury damage acts
and makes the compensation act su-
Premc. Under the elective system en-
ployer or cmplOye may elct to go into
the courts either under the provisions
of the compensation act or other civil
statutes.
Mr.. Hemenway declared that it was
difficult to whip the present suggest,
cd act into general form because of
the differences in experiences and pro-
visions By various States of the Union
lie pointed out that amounts and
periods for a compensation has been
left blank for this reason but said that
a general average was the payment of
fifty per cent of wages to dependents
for six years, for total disability, or
for the period Of partial disability. The
only employees to be exempted would
be domestic servants, and charitable in
stitution attaches.
Accident Board Approved
Mr.. Hemenway approved the provi'
sion III the proposed act creating an
Industrial Accident Board of five mem,
hers in each county to be appointed by
the governor and serve without remu-
HeratiOn. In case of accident, If both
employer and employee were agreed at
n hearing before the board, the agree
nent would be binding on both parties.
II differences arose an arbitration
committee. would be appointed which
would make recommendation.
On the subject of insurance available
to employers against loss by accidents
to employees, Mr.. Hemenway pointed
out three different systems. One was
the Great iOn Of fund, to be handled
by the Territory, which would make
payments direct, the fund to be pro,
>idod by the employers; another that
the EMPLOYERS could insure with any
stock insurance company; another that
the employers could combine and form
Il mutual insurance company to insure
payment "f awards to any member of
the mutual company.
Mr. II nlLmuLm Followed Mr. unmanMaN