New-York tribune., 1918-05-06
Report 'on Health Inquiry
Made by Lynch, Lander
and O'Hanlon
Cooperation Is Urged
--------
Opposition to Measure by
Swcatshops Foreseen by
Committee

The New York State Federation of
Labor called attention yesterday to
the high percentage of prcventabe
physical disability revealed by draft
statistics as an argument in favor of
the health insurance bill. James M.
Lynch, William Rander and j. NJ.
O'Hanlon issued a statement. on be-
half Of the committee on health, which,
in part, follows:
"lf, as the foremost medical author
tiles tell US in regard to draft rejec-
tons, go per cent Of physical un-
fitness is due to preventablc causes
then we will have under mutually
supported and mutually managed
health insurance, common interest
with our employers in working tow
ard the prevention of all avoidabe
sickness The bill we have submitted
specifically provides the way for the
prevention of disease and for the edu-
cation of both employers and employees
IN disease prevention and by hygiene.
Great Need of instruction
Owe believe there is great need Of
such instruction, and we submit that it
is only common sense to expect that the
same economic forces which DEVELOPED
out of workmen's compensation the
movemnt for safety first will through
such a plan of health insurance give
great impetus to d campaign for physi-
cal unfitness.
owe believe it is true that the ma
lor1ty OF employers ere earnestly de-
sirous of affording every practical
humane provision for the care of their
sick employees. We know that some are
already bearing an expense far greater
for this purpose than even the liberal
medical provisions of this health insur-
ance bill will require. But We also
know that without general measure
under state supervision, very many en-
ployers-and frequently those owning
establishments where sanitary condi-
tlons are the worst-will continue to
ignore the demands Of simple justice to
the working men, women and children
in their factories.
Our appeal for cooperation, there
tore, must be to the more humane and
enlightened employers, and we must
expect for time to meet even the
abuse OF some of the less enlightened
or less scrupulous. Eventually, how
ever, the employers as /, whole will, we
lrmly believe, see the advantages to
industry of workmen's health insur-
ance as they have already done in the
actual operation of workmen's compen-
sation laws.
Mutual Advantages Seen
zone of the things that has incden-
tally arrested our attention as we have
examined the various possibilities of
health insurance administration on n
democratic basis 10 the opportunity
thus offered both to employers and en-
ployes to learn the advantages of work
ing together.
"If the world war for democracy for
which workmen by the millions are
pouring out their life blood and for
Which employers by the thousands are
unseltshly spending their wealth, is to
result in permanently improved condi
tlons for those who must in their daily
toll in workshops suffer the hazards of
occupational disease and premature
death, it must come, in this country
especially, through a more democratic
relationship between employers and
employees in the dayby-day working
life of our industries.
I'VE believe ardently in our trade
union organizations. and we believe
thoroughly in organizations of employ
ers. We are convinced that the group
selection of representatives to serve
such interest in the local management
OF health insurance funds will create
much needed feeling of solidarity Of
interest on each side"