Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-05-14
woRKAENs COMPENSATION.
By John T. STONE.

Pres. Of the Maryland Casualty Co.
The progress made in abolishing
the system of Employers Liability
for negligence, in favor of automatic
compensation for occupational in
5uries, offers striking proof OF our
American way of doing things quick
Nv when we once decide that they
ought to be done. The first such law
in the United States, OF general effect
lthcre were special and limited en-
actments earlier), became effective
la 1911. There are now 80 States
under the new system-literally a
social aud economic revolution in
The short space OF five years. OF the
remaining 6 States, 9 are Southern
States, are preponderatingly agricul-
tural and have a large majority of
negro workmen. OF the remaining
q, 2-namely, North and South
Dakota, are almost entirely agricul-
tural, 3-~-namely, Idaho, Utah and
New Mexico, are for the most part
mining States. industrially speaking,
leaving only 2, namely, Missouri and
Delaware, which are distinctly manu-
featuring States. This analysis DEM
onstrates that in all Of those States,
with two exceptions, whose indus
tries are largely manufacturing, as
wcll as In a number Of others, whose
Industries are largely mining, lum-
bering and agricultural. the new
system Is either in effect or will
shortly be SO.
ln the accomplishment OF this
literally marvellous readjustment to
radically different economic ideas,
the stock casualty companies have
had no small part. without obtrus-
iveness, yet with earnestness and
persistence, we have gathered facts
from every possible source in Eur
ore. America and elsewhere, we have
employed corps Of tabulators and
actuaries, we have utilized the train
ing and experience Of our under
writer's, attorneys, surgeons and ex-
ecutives, and have expended many
thousands OF dollars in order that
we might contribute our most and
best toward the overthrow Of the old
system and the substitution OF the
new. The old system has actually
nothing to commend it. The new is
desirable and wise from every point
Of view, If the details be equitably
wrought out. To this programme the
stock casualty companies are un-
nquivocally committed and to its
present state of realization they have
made an immense contribution of de-
pendable information and Of sane
and Just advice.
1t is only fair, and simply the
truth. to say that while the stock
companies' primary interest in this
subject springs from the desire to
make a legitimate profit, we do not
yield a particle to any other class of
men IN the matter Of sincere desire
10 advance the public interest, to
help onward a better understanding
between employer and employee, to
protect those who are disabled
through occupational injuries, and
TO stop the enormous economic waste
Of the system Of negligence liability.
Nay, morel because we have been
for years In daily contact with these
evils and are, therefore, better able
than others to appraise their in
iquity, because we ourselves have
been in many ways the victims Of
this system, which we did not devise
and for which we are not responsible,
we are Of all men most intense in
our convictions upon this subject,
as citizens who desire the best
things for their country, quite apart
from our financial interests.
Until the introduction Of Work
mems Compensation instead Of the
old negligence liability system pre-
MUM rates we're generally made
without regard to the physical mer-
its. or demerits, of risks, except as
those factors might be reflected in
ascertained experience through car
rying the given risk over a more or
less extended period. This was un-
fortunate. and was one Of the many
Objectionable features of the old
system.
simultaneously with the actual es-
tablishment OF Workmen's Compen-
sation in this country. the stock in
surance companies realized the me-
cessity for giving to the individual
risk that recognition In it's premium
rate to which it might be entitled by
reason OF it's use of accident preven-
tion devices and regulations. To one
who has not had the opportunity to
study this phase Of the subject it
may bo difficult to understand the
enormous amount Of investigation,
as to mechanical, chemical and other
processes, the study Of the nature Of