The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-05

| Sdton iOf lnuustrlaI aCClucftS,
These are the conclusions Of w. l..
Blessing member of the Oklahoma state
industrial commission. arrived at after
aiding in administering for nearly two
years the Oklahoma law as now con-
stittited
Statement Isuued.
His ideas on the subject are contained
in a statement issued this morning.
Among other things, he said
THE present legislature will surely
not have any more important matter
to consider than the remodeing of the
compensation law. cannot conceive
OF any legislation to be presented that
deserves more careful consideration
There larc many defects IN the law
which should be remedlcd
Times innumerable il has been said
that the Oklahoma law compares fav-
orably with the laws of other states.
This cannot be successfully defended
from an unbiased point Of view.
Amendments Needed.
"Thc law was enacted, or at least was
said TO have been enacted, for the benc-
fit of employees: therefore, IT should be
amended so as to protect their interests
in every sense OF the word.
'ln order for employees to derive ac-
,ual benefits from law OF this kind,
the expense must be borne by the busi-
ness, and spread out on society gem
orally. Oklahoma must proceed along
this line ii our state is 10 keep her
place among the progressive states OF
the union.
Among the essential points that
should be considered IN strengthening
the law at the present time are the
waiting period, the medical period, the
percentage compensation and the mum
Der of weeks for which compensation
should be paid for permanent disability.
Changes Suggested.
There are number OF other very
essential points to be covered IN an
equitable compensation law. tor which
the Oklahoma law makes no provis-
ion, viz: Taking into consideration
the occupation OF the injured, their
ages, their ability TO increase their
earnings, the impairment OF portion
OF the eyesight, and the difference IN
the value OF the right and left arm.
There are numerous injuries that might
occur to one person and not inIure his
earning capacity, while TO others the
injury would completely destroy the
employees ability 10 earn anything un-
| I'll another occupation was learned.
"A careful study OF the most pro-
gressive state laws will soon convince
, the average person that the Oklahoma
law must either be greatly improved
or else repealed. No party can go
before the voters Of this state who be
lieve in this class OF legislation, and
uphold this law as it now stands. The
facts cannot he disputed that the pres
cnt laws on compensation in Ohio, New
! York. California and several other
states have resulted in the party that
passed them remaining in power in
their state governments.
Larger Benefits.
This is an undiSpu,ed fact in Ohio
/ anu New hIks OIlNt WIN tNNluNl'N
state insurance administered as II is
can give much larger percent OF
benefits to the employees with a grea,
deal less expense to the employer, than
any OF the other states, and from an
expression Of large number OF the
largest employers OF labor in that
state, the law is entirely satisfactory
to both cmploye and employer. In
fact the Manufacturers association anc
the State Federation OF Labor arr
working Jointly together on the SAINT
in every respect
"Ihe laboting men Of Oklahoma arr
entitled to- a higher rate OF compensa
ton per week than in large numbe
OF other states, where the rate now i
higher, because oi our progressive an'
liberal constitutions protecting the la
borer'S rights, These provisions wcr'
placed in the constitution through tn
influence OF labor; therefore, labo
should not at this time accept a law o
this kind which takes away part o
these provisions Our legislature shoul'
look this matter SQuately in the face
and improve this law 10 the best in
,eresN oi those concerned. which vii
mean the best interests OF all the peopl
OF Oklahoma