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 Wa
ina PERIOD and to Make Damages Payable Immediately
on IniTy-Encourageme of Mangering BY Slightly In
iured Workmen is Criticism

Out 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. 49,. -.
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
tive Marquee and Representative
Walsh's measures. some such move.
ment is expected ere the bills are re-
ported out from committee. i.
Waiting Period Important
So far as appears at present the
points Of objection will turn or the
length of the waiting period" during
which the injured employe receives no
compensation; the "occupational dis
ease" suggested amendment, and the
medical fees allowable and the right
Of the employer to designate the hos
Iital and physician for the injured
workman.
or these the principal arguments
viii be trained on the waiting peri
cd" proposals. At present the period
is IA days--in which respect 1t Is sim
liar to compensation acts in the bulk
OF the states. Washington and Oregon
excepted. In the latter states there is
no waiting period, compensation being
raid from the day OF the injury: and
I'm the Marquee bin IL is proposed to
follow Washington and 0regon's lead.
Fear Malingerlng Would Result
Students OF COMPENSATION law who
have followed its development in this
country from its sirst experimental
stages, insist that the waiting period
is an absolutely necessary safeguard
TO employers against malingering
workmen, and that II II should be
done away with tho employer would
be called upon to Jay extraordinary
and unwarrantsd compensation, or OBJ
liged TO pay almost prohibitive insur
ance rates.
This is the real burden Of theirso
They poipt out that though the wait
ing period is not part Of the Wash.
ington and Oregon laws, those states
are distinguished for their radical and
often unsafe legislation and have had
10 pay dearly for Is at times, and that
they are 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 II was &C.
cordingly done. Precedents on the,
mainland make Il certain, say those
In touch with the situation, that the
rates viii jump at least 90 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
favors this proposal; but so far as In
surance rates are concerned, it 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 az Present
There is very little temptation un.
der the law as Il stands now for ma
lingering. For two weeks the work
man does not get any pay, and there