The daily Nome industrial worker., 1916-12-30
THE COMPENSATION LAW.

Judge Brown of the Third Judi cial Division has upheld the consti- nationality of the Compensation Law which was passed by the territorial legislature at the last sesison.
 The decision was rendered when a workman sued the Kennicott Min ing Co. to recover damages under common law instead of accepting the compensation as provided by the act. The case is important in that it reveals how completely the work man is shorn Of his right at law in favor of companies whose liability has been strictly limited.
 As we ali know now, the compen- satiou law was invented by the Juneau mining companies in order that they might oe protected against litigation for damages, and 5ulzer was made use Of for inc purpose Of introducing f in tae senate.
 Ls compensation law, whatever is thought Of tla principle involved. the Alaska la# wtr not compare feT- orabl~ with the ma 59r..v tl those ln the Outside s.atss We shall show that f is to ha e.sssed as among the worst
 wla ur-ay aloud be required 10 ur9#u medical attendance sur eicgl and hospital services and sup plies to the victim Of his operations. That is s5 in California, Conueee- cutt Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Porto Rico. West Virginia, Nevada Indi- ana. Massachusetts, Michigan, Okla homa. Rhode Island, Texas, and other states as well as the federal government law provide for such services. Alaska does nothing of the kind.
 Most of the laws provide for par tial or total disablemant compensa- tion in proportion to the earning ca- nacity of the employee. Alaska does not in order that the higher relative Alaska wages may not command a higher compensation, and the low fat rates of the cent belts are sub stituted.
 OccupaGonal diseases following from dust, reGueries, amalgamating rooms, cyanide or colonization works should be included and are included in most states. They are not inciud- ed in Alaska.
 Almost all states require employ CTS labor. to put up bonus to insure their compensation liability. Alaska does not A man may be injured in an Alaskan mine. his right of action denied him under the act, and yet his compensation may be not forth coming. The employer may allege an inability to pay just as he evades wage payments with time checks and the like.
 There is nothing left an employee who seeks compensation under the law but a resort to the courts pre- cisely as if ne sued under common law, except that in this condition he can only sue for limited amount which will not even cover attorney fees. Almost all the states provide an accident board in order to speed compensation and for the successful operation of the Act. Alaske does not On the contrary with no compensation for waiting time, with no responsibility to pay medical or surgical attendance. the Alaska law operates directly and exclusively to the benefit of the employer.
 Recent comment in articles de- voted to this subject condemn the Alaska law as the very worst of all. Considering the ordinary rates for medical attendance the Alaska law provides compensation that is not sufficient to pay tue doctor!
 There is not one single compensa- ton rate provided wherein if the employee pay his own medical fees, he will not be in debt at the end of the chapter.
 It is not often that such legal monstrosities have ever been pulled off as in this case But the Juneau Mining Companies aided by Sulzer, the subsidized papers and the rest. most assuredly put one over when they passed the compensation law which as compensation law is