South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07
COMP ENSAT ION LAW
FOR WORkMEN IS
INSPECTOR SPLEA
Indiana'S Factory Examiner
Says Just Act Honestly Adj
ministered Would Prove a
Blessing, Minimizing Feeling

Special
INDIANAPOLIS. Jan IA just
workmen's compensation law. honest
ly administered, under state supervi-
sion, would prove the greatest bless
ing that has befallen this state in
many . day according TO John J.
Walsh state factory inspector, who,
today made public his annual report
TO Edgar A. Perkins, chief OF the state
bureau Of inspections. part OF the
annual report OF the state bureau OF
inspection 10 the governor.
Being in position TO observe the
consideration that Is given the widows
and children of men who lost their
lives in industry, and having on many
(, occasions been touched TO the depths
with a feeling of sorrow for those un-
fortunate ones, due to the fact that in
. a great majority Of cases the depend
ents of the killed or manned persons
receive no consideration at all under
| our present system, and in many
cases, where compensation is due the
grief and sorrow that the death or
serious accident occasions barely eX-
ceeds the encouragement and humil-
iatioL vat is experienced before
final unsatisfactory settlement is
Would Create Better Feeling.
The enactment of a satisfactory
compensation law would tend to es-
| tablish a kindly feeling between en-
ployer and employe, for then, in case
of an accident occurring a just treat
ment for the injured would be out
lined and understood clearly and the
| employer would be in a position TO
exercise his kindlier and better ma
ture, which would be a strong contrast
10 the present system. Under the
present system the first thing employ
ers do in case OF accident is to sur
round their hearts with a callous and
set out to build up the best possible
defense in order TO defeat any attempt
on the part of the injured one or his
dependents, in case of death, securing
any compensation"
The report shows that the total
number of indus riai accidents report
ed to the department during the year
was 1865. OF tnis number 40 were
fatal, S23 serious and 1875 slight.
Discussing the var on accidents,
| Walsh said:
after a careful Consideration of the
manner and rIethod or preventing &C.
cidents, L feel that the two most i'm
pOrtant features are: Ito see that
wholly inexperienced men are not
rushed into the more dangerous de-
plants without proper schooling
and that they be permitted TO proceed
gradually so as to develop a famil-
iarity with the surroundings in order
to be in a position to realize the dan
ger; 2--TO determine just what de-
gree of speed the workmen may safe
~ acquire within certain danger
zones"
Walsh said that close attention had
been given by the department to the
problem of establishing the proper
moral tone in all factories and estab-
lishments where women and young
girls are employed To accomplish
this many changes in construction
buildings have been found necessary.
Proper seating facilities for women
workers also are being insisted on,
Walsh declared.
On Child Labor.
AS TO child labor, the report said:
Through cooperation with the tru-
ancy departments and children's aid
associations OF the state, we are able
TO maintain a strict enforcement of
| the child labor law. This department
has always held this law to be most
sacred, and insists that it's provisions
be carried out to the letter"
The constant increase in the use of
electricity and the lack of knowledge
of the I.ublic in general of the dan
ger that turks therein, presents a very
serious problem for state supervision.
the report declared. Walsh said he
feels that an electrical inspector
should be added TO the state depart
ment. to be given supervision over all
wiring and the installation of all cleo
trical machinery. He should conduct
a system of education regarding the
dangers in connection with the use of
electricity that would reach as far as
the children in the schools Walsh de-
clares.
The department has had erected
$40 fire escapes during the year and
in addition there are $50 escapes that
are being erected or are contracted
TOR now. I'm providing the proper
safeguards for buildings factories
schools, hotels. theaters. lodging
houses. hospitals and public build
ings) we very often find il necessary
TO make extensive changes in the
building" the report continues "Ad-
ditional dOOrways. clearance of pas
sageways, leading TO the exits, re-
wiring of buildings. installation OF
alarm gongs in all buildings used for
sleeping quarters. proper signal lights
etc. have been ordered AS a
result number of veritable death
traps have been abandoned or alter
ed"
The cooperation of a large number
Of employers has aided materially in
the work of the department the re-
port said