The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1919-06-26
STATE ACCIDENT BOARD
WILL Be RE-ORGAN|zED
Former Ieppner Boy, Will T. Kirk,
Is Appointed by Governor.--Old
Board Was Unsatisfactory.

Governor Olcott has announced
hat he will appoint ]. W. Ferguson
If Portland and Will 7. Kirk, now
cad Of the claims department Of the
ldustrial accident commission, as
lembers of that commission to sue
eed Harvey Beckwith and Wilfred
Allen, respectively. The governor
aid that he had written to Mr.. Beck
ith informing him that his resigna-
ion as a member of the commission
i'll be acceptable to the executive Of
ice, his resignation to become effec-
i've as of July /. Mr.. Aliens term
lxpired last January.
Under the new alignment and as
provided for in the act, Mr.. Mar
hall will represent the interests of
imployes, Mr.. Ferguson the interests
employers and Mr.. Kirk those of
itizens of the state at large.
Il have watched the situation in
he accident commission closely since
have been in the executive office
md was rather familiar with It prior
that time," said Governor Olcott In
laking announcement of the changes
the personnel of the commission.
1 am thoroughly convinced that the
nake-up of the board was not con-
iucive to the best operation of the
'orkmens' compensation law. The
functions Of the act are among the
lost important that any of the state
boards or commissions are called up
to administer.
Without wholesale cooperation on
he part of the commissioners efficient
tandling of affairs and considerate
attention to those interested In the
peration Of the act the greatest good
rom the compensation act cannot be
,btained.
II have had long acquaintance
With both Mr.. Ferguson and Mr.. Kirk
md know personally that their quail
fcations are such as to assure har-
lonious and efficient handling of the
ommissions affairs. These ap-
continents are unsolicited In both
ases. They are entirely upon my
wn initiative and based upon my
,ersonal knowledge of their fitness.
am thoroughly convinced that the
hanges am making are for the pub
ic good"
Will T. Kirk is a native of Oregon.
le was born at Heppner In 1884. He
attended school at Heppner and PEN
lleton and was a student at Colunl.
IA Junior College at Milton when,
1903 the Heppner flood swept
way the home and property of his
idowed mother. AS the burden Of
amily support then fell upon him
o. with his mother and young bro
her and sister moved to Payette,
Ia, where he acquired an interest
the Payette Independent, one of
the strongest republican weekly news
apers in that part of the state.
He was associated In this news
,aper venture with Earl Venable,
low private secretary to Senator
3orah of Idaho. After Mr.. Venable
vent to Washington with Senator
3orah Mr.. Kirk was sole publisher
If the paper for number of years
nd occupied prominent place in
he councils Of the republican party
in Canyon county. In 1911 he sold
lis Idaho newspaper and moved with
lis wife and two children to Port
land, where he was connected with
he Oregon Journal until two months
go, when he resigned to accept the
position Of head of the claims depart
nent of the industrial accident COM
mission. He has been consistent
Importer of the workmen's compen-
sation law as an instrument of large
benefit to employers and workmen If