New-York tribune., 1915-03-18
Let the Compensation Law Alone.

! stomach to be neither wolf nor lapdog.
| Let the Compensation Law Alone.
The direct settlement amendment TO the
workmen's compensation act which is TO be
: considered as a special order in the Assem-
bly, to-day should not be passed. Its adop-
: tion could not benefit the workmen of this
state who have damage cases for injuries
its passage could not benefit the state. 1t
could only be regarded as a backward
step, and that step New York State should
not take.
Excuse for a change in the existing
law could be found only in the fact that
} it was an acknowledged failure. Expert
ence of the few months the law has been
in effect has proved it to be far from
failure-indeed, all things considered it is
about the best and most workable and
most advanced specimen of such statutes
in the country.
By the passage of this law the state
guaranteed that it would be the adjuster
of damages arising out of the injuries to
workingmen in the course of their employ
ment. The system naturally has been
subjected to a great strain, but it has not
| broken down, as has been alleged. Slight
| inquiry by the Legislature would disclose
that, while at first the commission had
great mass of damage cases piing up
conditions in that respect have been stead
/ IL, hot bar
is no undue accumulation of cases await
ing disposal.
! For New York State, under these cir
cumstances, to go over to a system which
would permit dickering over the amount
of damages for an injury between the
employe and the employer would be to be-
tray the interests Of the workman
Though the proposal which the Assembly
will discuss is technically better than the
Senate's original proposal that the cas-
ualty companies which insure the employ
ers against damages might dicker with the
employees. it is very little different in prin-
ciple. The employers have all the advan-
/ tages on their side. If the workmen have
not the backing of the state they are not
much better off than they were in the old
days of prolonged court damage cases and
ambulance chasing lawyers who hOgged
most of the belated awards.
| Two reasons present themselves for the
untoward vigor with which the Republi-
can majority is pressing this measure.
One is a misguided desire to discredit the
present law, which, non-partisan in its ori-
gin, happened to be passed under a DEM
ocratic administration. The other is a
mistaken zeal to serve special interests
which have suffered by this enlightened
activity of the state. Neither could pos
sibly commend itself to the public. If the
Republican majority is wise it will drop
this bill as too hot to handle.
The director Of the Mayors Committee on
Unemployment has found eight lots Of ten
atrcs each in the city suitable for truck
gardening and hopes TO set some OF the work /
less TO farming this spring and summer. IT,
they could get for their produce anything
Ike the prices the retailers charge for vege-
tables they could soon have bank balances.
These public officials who have nothing
better 10 do than 10 pose for the movies /
can't get much sympathy when they protest
against the uses made Of the films
The stranger who caught cabaret dancers /
slipper in his soup should reflect that the 4
fame he will acquire back home will Offset
the damage to his shirtfront.
-
The property smashing playfulness OF CO.
lumbia's undergraduates suggests thoughts
OF the good old-fashioned birch discipline for
excess Of spirits.
The contents OF that bottle dropped over
board by French rcservist, containing kisses
for his wife and little daughter, were Of an
admirable vintage.
According to working girls testimony
before tho Legislature, living on s6 a week
in this city is largely starving.
Mr. Fosdck would convince one that the
police Of Europe take Sherlock Holmes for
their model
Thanks for Impsrtiality.
To the Editor of The Tribune 4
Sir: Your editorial in the issue OF your
paper Of March l3. THE Winter Campaigns"
have read with the keenest interest.
This is TO my knowledge the first time a
New York daily has given the public a clear,
concise impartial report regarding the posi-
tions Of the contending armies on the western
battlefront. and your editorial is in strange
contrast with the views, sentiments and pre-
d;c,ious which some OF vour contcmnoraries ,