Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-05-14
woRKSrEN's CONFIRMATION.
By John \. sToNE.


Pres. Of the Maryland Casualty Co.
The progress made in abollshing
the system Of Employers Liability
for negligence, in favor of automatic
compensation for occupational in-
1uries, offers striking proof Of our
American way Of doing things quick
ly when we once decide that they
ought to be done The first such law
in the United States, of general effect
(there were special and limited en-
actments earlier), became effective
ia l91l. There are now 32 States
under the new system-literally a
social and economic revolution in
the short space Of five years. OF the
remaining l6 States, are Southern
States, are preponderatingly agricul-
tural and have q 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-
lActuring States. This analysis dem
onstrates that ia all OF those States,
with two exceptions, whose indus
ilies are largely manufacturing, ais
wen ag ia q number of others, whose
Industries are largely mining, lum-
bering and agricultural, the new
system lis either La effect or will
shortly BE SO.
ia the Accomplishment Of this
literally marvellous readjustment to
radically different economic ideas,
me stock casualty companies have
mad NO small part. Without obtrus-
iwenesa, yet with earnestness and
persistence, we have gathered facts
from every possible source In Eur
one, America and elsewhere, we have
employed corps OF tabulators and
actUaries, we have utilized the train
Inc and experience Of our under
writer's, attorneys, surgeons and ex-
ecutiyes 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
now, The old system has actually
nothing to commend it. The new Is
desirable and wise from every point
Of view, IL the details be equitably
wrought out. To this programme the
stock casualty companies are un-
equivocally 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 q legitimate profit. we do not
yield a particle to any other class Of
men ia the matter OF sincere desire
% advance the public interest, to
help onward a better understanding
between employer and employee. to
protect those who are disabled
through occupational injuries, and
Va stop the enormous economic waste
Ot the system Of negligence liability.
May, more because we have been
for years ia daily contact with these
evils and are, therefore, better able
than others to appraise their In
iQuity, because VIE ourselves have
been ia many ways the victims Of
this system which we did not devise
and for which we are not responsible,
we are Ok all men most intense Id
oar convictions upon this subject,
as citizens who desire the best
things for their country quite apart
frcm our financial interests.
until the introduction OF Work
men's Compensation instead Of the
old negligence liability system pre-
miBm rates were generally made
without regard to the physical mer-
lts. 0r demerits. OF risks, except as
those factors might be reflected In
asccrtained experience through car
ryIng the given risk over q 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-
tabliahment OF Workmen's Compen-
sati0n Ia this country. the stock in
gurance companies realized the me-
ceesity for giving to the individual |
lisk that recognition in its premium !
rate to which it might be entitled by =,
reason Of it's use Of accident preyen- |
tion devices and regulations. To one /
who has not had the opportunity to |
study this phase of the subject IT !
may be difficult to understand the /
enormous amount of investigation,
ae 10 mechanical. chemical and other
the study of the nature Of I