Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-01-12
,,.,+;nusd from page one)

,seting all possiDie
Of me- t:annial period fraught with
s,s;pg conditions
~ srapple with and overcome 'ne
...ntial emergencies and as FAR as
..sible, - to alleviate burdens ana
-,n,ams leading to constructive
s b.re exercised the constitu-
e' duty of the executive to "on
tiehAl ,;rsrv occa asions, convene the
eAlS i',ot;ye assembly by proclamation.
rsnowing further the constitutional
fonoS e,a, will state to you here in
pfO,'sassamblv the purposes for which
have been convened.
you M workmen's Compensation
/ nr;n,arv object in calling to-
..tnsr the legislators at TINS tiihe - -
ee'lsa eaat a grave emergency seriously
" ~" - the welfare, and, in many
as the lives of the men and
MS MS employed in the industries
" ~co'anensation S benefits provided for
Il - workmen by the Workmen's
.n',,orsation Law were established
.to LEGISLATURE in 1918, when liv-
.+s we're very materially less
ov If the compensation pay
aaants we're properly rated at that
d - !, is self-evident they are wholly
4 ,nodeouate under present conditions
rhor ara so low that the families
- many injured workmen, who are
4 ,noonacitated for any length of time
arc brou 7ht to a degree of want that
.hould not prevail when the state has
rrdartaken to provide for its injured
workers.
When the legislature was in session
vsar ago. the prevailing opinion
was that the cost of living would soon
i hagin TO decrease For that reason
n was not considered necessary al
4 that time to make a material in
crease in the compensation benefits
Two changes we've made, one in
creasing the amount to be allowed an
;niured worker for his children under
sixteen years of age from $500 to
$500 per month, and the other pro-
yiding that the awards for permanent
martial disability shall be in addition
TO the amount paid to the injured
workman for temporary time loss.
With the cost of bare necessities
continuously on the increase, condi-
tions in the homes of injured work
men continue to grow worse, and the
number of appeals to the State Indus
trial Accident Commission from in
iured workers or their wives fol
greater assistance grow in number.
When the members of the commits
sion brought the situation to my at
tentiOn decided it would not be jus
nor fair to these sufferers to wal
another year until the regular session
Of the legislature should meet to give
them relief. 1t is a condition which
should be remedied Immediately.
As the Workmen's Compensation
Law was originally drafted by a com.
mittee representing the employers
the employees, and the public, 1 called
y for a committee representing thest
three interests to consider the pres
ent situation and make recommenda
rons to this extraordinary session o.
the legislature.
Tnls committee was comprised O
i've members selected by the organ
ization representing the employers O
the state, five selected by the organ
Ratlon representing the employees O
tne state, and five selected by mysel
10 represent the public at large.
This committee of fifteen met, an,
mas unanimously recommended tina
q flat increase of 80 per cent be mad,
on all compensation payments datin;
uaeK to December 1, 1919. A careful
M'estgaton into the funds availabl,
lhe state Industrial Accident Com
mission indicates that this increase il
0ensation benefits may be mad
without an increase in the rates O
contribution to the Industrial Acct
uent Fund by the employers or EN-
pioyes of the state.
The special committee recommend
.hat the increase shall be embodie,
~ an emergency measure, and shaI
apply TO all payments falling due be
sSeen december l, 1919, and Jun
N ADDITION to an emergency in
aease IN the compensation benefits
.his special committee recommend
40 an act he passed giving author
~ 10 the Industrial Accident Com
.As'oh 10 expend a portion of thes
1uus Tor the vocational rehabiIita
uOn Oh injured workmen. 1t is in
"ueu that the commission shall turI
s.,Fts eiloFts to restoring permanent
manned men and women to position
seA's1pport where they will agai
eohe assets rather than liabilitie
!" uhelr community.
industry. with its modern macbin
s ana speed Of production. is pro
,sss s more cripples than all the war
- "a nave been fought. AS the resuI
nuusUial accidents men are los
.Heir arms or legs, or eyes ever
IN the year. It is right this
80 industries. funetioning throug
r,...9- Sue industrial Accident Uon
,h.sS. ~. should aid in restorin
80 80 erpples to sufficient earnin
w-sy 1y 10 enable thern to be sell
spofung 80 citizens and not depend
sals upon society.
40 DO this 1t win be necessary +,
tbsrs 4sa'e many of them. or trai
"a. N new lines of endeavor. an
ra,ss So hey are gaining this new edu
- OF new training, it is necessar