The Cordova daily times., 1920-12-14
TUESDAY, DECEMBER IA, 1920
PROPOSED COMPENSATION ACT

Governor Riggs is asking the people of Alaska for comments on the pro- posed "Workmen's Compensation Act" in accordance with instructions of the legislature. Copies of the law have been received by few and in order that all in Ketchikan may have an opportunity to study the law, it is given in full in the Chronicle. AS the proposed act, if it becomes law, affects virtually every person in Alaska, all being either employer or employed, careful attention should be given the draft.
 A careful reading of the law will show that it has some appealing points, yet it has some features which are sufficiently objectionable to war rant it's defeat, in it's present form. In 1915 the legislature of Alaska passed Workmen's Compensation Act, applying only to mining, which has proven, through years of opera ton, to be an excellent protection for the working man, and it appears now that instead of attempting to pass an other cumbersome law such as that now posposed, the legislature should simply extend the law already in force as to mining, to al lother indus tries wherein it would be workable.
 Under the proposed law, it will be noted, provision is made for the crea- tion of an industrial commission, the duty of which shall be to enforce and administer this act, the commission. CTS and their secretary to receive ap- proximately s11,500 in salaries, to. gether with such expenditures as may that such a body would require an annual appropriation of at least s25,- 900.
 In itself this expenditure would not be excessive or wasteful under other circumstances, but in a territory such as Alaska, with it's vastness and in- adequate transportation facilities, it would not be practicable for the body to handle the business to the best interests of the people generally. If required, it would be impossible for the commission to make trip over the territory more than once a year and then at great cost. Neither would it be practicable for man with small claim under the compen- sation act to make trip to the capi- tai to present his case.
 Under the present compensation act, applying to mines, employees have received more for their injuries than ever before. There has been no ques- tion of negligence on the part of the employe. All that has been neces- sary for man hurt to prove has been that he was not intoxicated and that he did not injure himself deliberate ly, neither of which has been diffi- cult. There have been a few cases where question has been raised to permanency of injury, but that was the only point at issue, for otherwise the compensation is definitely set
 Rather than try out simething new, much more preferable would it be for the Territory to extend the law which has been proving satisfactory.
 Throughout the states of the coun- try, efforts have been put forth for several years, trying to eliminate commissions for this, that and the other thing, to cut down expenses. Alaska with few commissions, should try to avoid them altogether If the results can be obtained in some other way.
 As proof that the compensation act now in force is proving boon to the working man, as compared with the old liability laws, may be given the action of the casualty companies oper- ating in the territory. For years, cas- ualty companies underwrote the lia- bility of mining companies. hen the bility of mining companies When the passed, they underwrote the liability of the companies under it. It proved, however, that the men were receiving