Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-02
By JAMES M. LYNCH
Industrial Commissioner, State of New


Industrial Commissioner, State of New
York.
T is but few years since the de.
mand OF the advocates of workmen's
compensation for laws that would
make the system effective seemed
impossible OF realization. Every possible
and plausible argument was advanced
against the proposed change from COM
mon law liability to an equitable and al
most automatic system of compensa tion
for industrial injuries and deaths But
| today thirtytwo states have compensa-
| ton laws and systems working more or
| less effectively, and the effort now is to
improve and broaden the scope of these
| laws. and, so far as may be possible to
standardize them. Former opponents are
now firm supporters. and it is Il safe
statement to say that in no compensa-
| tion state is there any influential de-
gree of sentiment for a return to the
negligenced and the laws delays and un-
certainties
Constantly Growing Demand.
What will be the next development?
There is strong and constantly grow
ing demand that compensation laws no->
providing for accidental injuries and
deaths, shall also include recompense for
only the natural evolution.
Surely if industry is properly charge
able with the violent hazards and re-
quired to impart remedy to the victims
then why not compensate the victims OF
the insidious hazards? The term 'occu-
pational disease" includes many forms
of physical infliction varying with the
industries that gradually creep on the
unsuspecting victim, but none the less
certain in their effects than dismember-
ment and death.
Lead poisoning and tuberculosis are
perhaps the most familiar of the occupa.
tional hazards, so they will do to illus
trate the case. viii any one contend
that the industry responsible for these
hazards should escape the penalty, any
more than they now escape the penalty
that goes with accidental disqualified
tion of their employees to work and earn
Eliminates Industrial Hazards.
There can be no question but that the
compensation laws are working wonders
in the development of the science of in
dustrial housekeeping. The elimination
OF industrial hazards, the guarding oil
machinery, the education of the wage
earners to vigilance against carelessness,
or, rather, as to the effects of negligence
that leads to bodily harm.
Perhaps the accident now comes more
directly to the attention of the employ
er. and therefore uTOuses his humanita
rian instincts and n determination that
so far as it may be humanity possible
the responsibility for further accidents
will not rest with him. and then. again.
it may be that the knowledge that y
reduction in the number OF accidents will
have a corresponding effect on premium
rates. for compensation insurance impels
vigorous initiative for the maximum de- !
gree of safety.
At any rate, suggestions for the bet
terment of industrial surroundings when !
made by the factory inspector now fall
upon attentive ears.
Compensation for occupational dis |
eases will impel attention to the sanl-
tary and hygenic features of industrial |
housekeeping. There will then be most I
determined effort to cure this industrial
i'll. not by attacking the disease itself.
but by the much more sane and whole
some method of eliminating the condi
tions that promote occupational disease.
State-Supported Health Insurance.
We are also developing the movement
for state supported and supervised
health insurance. The New York state
1916 legislature had such bill before
it, introduced by its sponsors, not with
any hope that it would pass, but that
the discussion of the whole subject