Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-01
CLEAR UP POINTS
INWORKMEN'SACT
Compensation Measure e
Gone Over at Harrisburg
Joint Meeting
MACKEY FOR WIDE SCOPE
Would Divorce Handling of
Reparation From Labor
Department

Harrisburg, April IA conference
was held this afternoon in the chambers
Of the Supreme Court on the new work
mems compensation bill. which is to be
introduced in the Legislature.
The new measure was submitted Tor
consideration by Harry A Mackey,
chairman of the workmen's compensa-
ton board
Employers of labor and labor repre-
sentatives were present at the con-
ference.
Chairman Mackey stated the purpose
s Of the hearing rather was to explain the
provisions of the proposed bill than to
discuss what those provisions ought to
be- Any suggestions to improve the bill,
Mr.. Mackey pointed out, might be in
corporated later. The bill. the chairman
said, had been drawn up at the request
of Governor Sproul, and was intended to
embody improvements over the present
act suggested by labor.
Mackey Explains Changes
Mr.. Mackey explained the bill in de-
tail and invited questions about its
workings. He said the worltingmen of
Pennsylvania were urging three prirct-
pal changes from the act of 1915, as
follows: An increase in the rate of
cal service and a shorter waiting
period-this lest being the time during
which medical service alone is supplied
and no compensation paid.
He expressed the hope that the Legis-
lature would divorce the Workmen's s
i Compensation Bureau from the Depart
ment of Labor and Industry, "and place
1t upon its own feet, giving to 1t re-
sources Sof its own and holding 1t re-
sponsibla for it's own acts" Mr.. Mackey
said he hoped that rehabilitating the in
Sured worker and adapting him to a new
means of earning a livelihood might be
added to the activities of the board An
other provision would make it possible
for farmers and persons in domestic
service to come under the provisions of
the act by special agreement.
Under the old act" said Mr.. Mackey.
''the totally and permanently incapaci-
tated man is left after 500 weeks, 10
he lives that long, an object of charity.
The proposed act givesShim rs per cent
during the remainder of his life. In the
Individual case this item may be the
means OF relieving society of the expense
\ OF pauperism.
"The widow has been treated rather
4 liberally by increasing her compensation
from 300 to 400 weeks. We have added
a provision giving her a lump sum pay
I ment equal TO one-third of the remain
Ing compensation due her. not to eX-
ceed 100 weeks, in the event of her
renarriage."
The new act changes somewhat the
method of computing wages, providing a
definite amount to be added where the
injured person has received board and
lodging, and striking out the provision
Of the old act which deducted the value
of supplies furnished by the employer
and money earned by overtime. Also it
Is provided that the daily wage be multi
piled by the actual number of days GUS
tomarily worked in week, instead of
the arbitrary five and a half, of the
existing act.
Proposed Increases
The bill proposes increases in com
pensation of from so to so per cent. 1t
raises the maximum compensation from
$40 to $3.50 week and the minimum
from SIS to $3.50 week.
The period Of medical service would
Z be increased from fourteen to thirty-one
days and the medical charge from S75 to
! $3.50. 1t also provides for additional
medical service when good cause is
shown.
The medical waiting period or period
i of noncompensation would be reduced
( from fourteen to seven days. A new
schedule is provided for loss of mem
bers which also provides compensation
for loss of hearing or Disagreement
4 Chairman Mackey said the bill would
bring the compensation in Pennsylvania
up to that in Ohio and New Jersey, but
still leaves. it a little less than New
York. While compensation is increased