The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-02-06
FURTHER LEGISLATIVE
DISCUSSION

To the readers of the Reporter.
In a recent issue of this paper, we
had a heart-to-heart talk about some
Of the things which are going on down
at Augusta. We went over, mostly,
the method of choosing a road com
missioner and, while | did most of
the talking, perhaps We concluded
there would be no harm in permit
ting the people to choose the road COM
missioner by ballot, when they saw fit
to do so. Then you will recall we
talked about the Anti-Lobby Bill, So
called, and | hope We agreed that the
professional lobbyist who comes to
Augusta, ought to be compelled to let
folks know what he's here for and
how much he is paid for the job.
guess | wound up, in the last issue, by
promising to say something about the
Skowhegan Water District. | want
to talk about that a lot, but first |
want to talk over with you proposed
changes in the Workmen's Compensa
lion Act The justice Of compensa-
ing those who are unfortunate enough
10 be injured while at work in manu-
featuring establishments, is now rec
ognized 1t was a bitter fight and COW
cred a. good many years, before this
Compensation Act was adopted. The
law we now have (adopted two years
ago. did pretty we'll 1t arranged for
the injured workman to have paid him
80 per cent of his wages during his
disability if incapacitated for more
than fourteen days and then not to ex
ceed $40 per week, and provided that
he should have medical attention, not
to exceed $50.
The measure which | have introduc-
ed provides that the injured man shall
receive Sc 2-3 tinstead of 50) per cent
Of his weekly wages, not to exceed SIS
per week, and it further provides if
incapacitated for more than ten days
that these payments shall apply from
the very beginning of the disability.
In the new law, too. it Is stipulated
that payments must be promptly made
and penalties are fixed to apply to the
manufacturer or the insurance COM
pany il payments are delayed.
This matter OF compensation for the
injured workman. has never received
anything like the attention It deserves.
II poor man meets with an injury,
society has him to care for by some
means, anyhow is no sense or
justice in doing it grudgingly or in a
way TO humilate the unfortunate VIC
tim OF an industrial accident. He
ought to receive his compensation as
right, and it ought to be on a scale
as liberal at least, as that provided
for in the new law.
To say Bill Smith is working for
John Jones in his factory, is not tell
ing the whole of the story. Smith is
working for Jones. to be sure, but in
broader sense, he is working for
YOU and me and everybody else. This
is only saying that workman is pro
vding things which society needs,
and, if he meets with an injury while
at work, you and and the rest will
want to see him compensated $50 far
as comp pensation is possiblel and
ought to be entirely willing to have
the trivial cost added to the price
which we pay for the goods he pro-
dnces. OF course, we all understand
now. that that is just what happens.
Whatever is paid to the workman who
loses a hand or foot. first comes out
of the employer or an insurance com
pany, but in the end ii is added to
the price of the manufactured product
and the consumer is the one who pays,
If it doubled the cost Of the goods it
to pay il without murmuring. but as
it works out, ii is very trivial indeed.
Probably the increased cost of a pair
of shoes, by reason of industrial ac-
cident compensation, would not he
more than the price of one of the brass
nails used in making the sole.
This is a pretty long story already,
but wonder if you will stand a little
more and let me just mention the
Water District, briefly. Let me just
say that believe Skowhegan can go
ahead and buy the existing water
works under an appraisal by the court
as provided by law, make the improve
ments, necessary to secure pure water
and adequate pressure. and never
thereby increase the taxes of one eiti-
zen. one cent.
II is probably true that the water
rates would have to be raised, but