Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-15
COMPENSATION Law CHANGES AROUSE
INTEREST OF ALL EMPLOYERS OF LABOR
Chief Objection is Found in Proposal to Do Away With "Wat
inc Period" and to Make Damages Payable Immediately
on njwy-Encouragemen of Malingerng BY Slightly In
jured Workmen is Criticism

ont OF the small but steadily in
creasing volume Of bills which would
amend in one way or another. or re.
peal the workmen's compensation act
passed In 1915. the stage is being rap
idly set at the capitol for as interest
ing a discussion as the present legisla-
ture promises in the so days Of its ses-
sion.
Merchants, contractors and other
employers are just beginning to take
notice OF the proposed legislation
touching the compensation act which
is before the house and senate, and to
grasp the significance OF some OF the
projected amendments in their rela-
ton to the cost of insurance.
While no concerted movement has
so far been mace by local employers
to interpose objections to some OF the
amendments proposed in Representa-
tive Marquee and Representative
Walsh's measures, some such move.
ment is expected ere the bills are re-
ported out from committee.
Waiting Period Important
So far as appears at present the
points OF objection will turn on the
length OF the waiting period" during
which the injured employe receives no
compensation; the "occupational dis
case" suggested amendment, and the
medical fees allowable and the right
Of the employer to designate the hos
pital and physician for the injured
workman.
or these the principal arguments
will h. tRn sn.1 a ttxayof
cd" proposals. At present the period
Is IA days-in which respect 1t is sim
ilar to compensation acts In the bulk
OF the states. Washington and Oregon
excepted In the latter states there is
no waiting period, compensation being
paid from the day Of the injury; and
in the MARQUEE bill Il is proposed TO
follow washington and Oregon's lead.
Fear MalInoerihe Would Result
Students or compensation law who
have followed Its development in this
country from ifs first experimental
stages, insist that the waiting period
is an absolutely necessary safeguard
TO employers against malingering
workmen, and that II 1t should be
done away with the employer would
be called upon to Fay extraordinary
and unwarrantsd compensation, or OBJ
liged to pay almost prohibitive insur.
ah0e rates: ~ ss---s - - =
This IL the real burden Of their song
They point out that though The wait
ing period 10 not part Of the Wash.
ington and Oregon laws, those states
are distinguished for their radical and
often unsafe legislation and have had
to pay dearly for it at times, and that
they ara really paying dearly now
for their compensation innovation.
Raises insurance Rates.
Two years ago when the workmen's
compensation act was before the legis-
lature, the advisability Of incorporat-
ing the waiting period In the act was
insisted upon by those familiar with
the manner IN which insurance com.
panies base their rates. and 1t was &C.
cordingly done Precedents on the,
mainland make IL certain, say those
~ touch with the situation, that the
rates will jump ct least 30 per cent If
the waiting period is eliminated.
Representative Walsh would strike
a compromise by cutting the period in
half. which would make il seven days.
The industrial accident board of Maui
fayors this proposal; but 80 far as in.
surance rates are concerned, il is
feared the compromise would not sue
coed In keeping down the rates, as
malingering would be almost as attrac-
tive as with no waiting period at all.
Little Temptation At Present
There is very little temptation un-.
der the law as II stands now for ma
lingering. For two weeks the work
man does not get any pay, and there