The Nome nugget., 1921-02-12

posed. the legislature should simply ex- tend the law already in force as to % all other industries wherein it would be workable.
 Under the proposed law, it will he noted. provision is made for the crea- tion of an industrial cummission, the duty of which shall be to enforce and administer this act, the commissioner rs and their secretary to receive approx amately Sll,soo in salaries, together with such expenditures as may he pecessary. It Is safe to assume that such a body would require an annual appropriation of at least $25,o0o.
 In itseR 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 .he best interests of the people generally. If required, it would be impo. .siblc for the commission to make a trip over the territory more than once a year and then at great cost. Neither would it be practicable for a rnnn with a small claim under the comoersation ast to make a trip to the cap.tt to present his case.
 Under the present compensation act, applying to mines. employees have re. ceived more for their injuries than ever before. There has been no aues. tion of negligence on the part of the employe. All that has been necessary for a man hurt to prove has been that he was not intoxicated and .hat he did not dnjure himself deliberately. neither of which have been difficult, There have been a few cases where question has been raised to pernlanency Of in- jury, but that was the only point at issue. for otherwise the compensation is definitely set.
 Rather than try out something new. much more preferable would 1t be for the Territory to extend the law which has been proving satisfactory.
 ThnoMEhou. the states of the coun- try. efforts have been put forth for several years. trying to eliminate com missions for this. that and the other thing. to cut down expenses. .. Afaska with few commissions should try 70 avoid them altogether if tie results can be obtained in some other way.
 AS proof that the compensation act now in force Is proving a boon to the working man, as compared with .hc old liability laws. may be given the action of the casualty companies oper- ating in the territory. For years, cas- ualty companies underwrote the iia- bihty of mining companies. When the compensation art was passed they un- derwrote the liability nf t'.c companies uhuSA AI' M ptOVtu, nOW8Vef, that the men were receiving 50 much money that the caaualty companie. were los- ing in their venture and withdrew. leaving the companies to pay themsei- yes Dollars and cents. coldfy figured out by these underwriters. is the best; evidence that she shoup- -sulser act Of
 
 1915 has been succsse, 50 far as the, eanploye Is concerned.
 tn connection with the a.nuonts Il. lowed under tho law now an force it may be said that the injured worssinen is given more taan that provided by,' any other compensation act of any. state in the union.
 It fs to be hoped, therefore. that the legislature. dnstsad Of experimenting with sqnethfnE new win simply ex- tend the old law. to; all the andustris,. specifying. them particplarly. .--Ketch,- kan Chronicle.