New Britain herald., 1921-11-01
FREAK PROBLEMS IN NPENSATION LAW
New York Board Has Many Un-
 usual Questions to Settle

Albany, \. Y.. Nov. In its ad ninistration of the workmen'a com, pensation law tho state department! of labor has many perpleXing problems 10 solve Here are a few of the ques- tion submitted to the department:
 Ia a person scratched by cat en- tiled to compensation for an injury under the provisions of the workmen' $ compensation law?
 If, while engaged in moving q building, you chase q rat that has an moved you and arc injured during the chase, can you receive compensation
 If a hunter mistakes Q pair of white boots for q rabbit and empties his gun into the Wearcr is the latiers cm- ployer legally bound to recompense he employe for injury and disngure- pent?
 If q movie actor, while making a picture, dives into shoal water and strikes a rock must the producer foot the bill for damages?
 When man is awaiting execution for murder ought he to worry be- cause he believes that an injury fol which he had received compensation has become permanent?
 Are the dependents of a man who accidentally kills himself while trying to take a pinch out of tight shoe en- titled to compensation for his death?
 These are not mythical questions. Each case cited has recently beer sub nitted to the department of labor for decision. Some have been adJrdicat- cd; others arc in abeyance.
 The case of the cat originated in Troy where sales woman wal scratched by the stores pet cat. The claim was reported to the department by an insurance company, but has not been pressed.
 Charles F, Beasley, of Elmira, em- ploycd by building moving contrac- tor, tried to kill a rat that ran from under the building where he Waa working A silver from the board he used IS a weapon of eXtermination en- tered his hand and blood poisoning resulted. His claim for compensation was denied by a referee on the ground that he was hired to move buildings and not to hunt rats
 Ray smith. employed hy an oil com pany at Clean, was wounded by a hunter who mistook his wEito rubber boots for a rabbit The insurance company contested the claim for com- pensaticn, but it was allowed by the Buffalo office of the department of la bof.
 The movie actor seeking compensa ton is Ralph Faulkner. While mak ing picture at Port Henry, on Lake Champlain, last simmer, Faulkner dived into the water and struck his head against a rock beneath the sur face. dislocating his thumb, bruising his body and sustaining cuts On brow and head Now the department must decide whether Faulkner is entitled to compensation for his disability and extra compensation for any disfigure- ment he may have sustained.
 A case that has attracted much at tention is that of Nathaniel 1ngraham who. while employed as eame- keeper by the Glove Valley Rod and Gun club, it Verbank, Duchess county, tried to kill a chicken hawk. He missed the hawk with his first barrel and aa ha was aDOut to Ire tne Sectilu phl el He tripped over a piece of wire and shot away a portion Of finger, Later he waa convicted of murdering his daugh- ter and was sentenced to death. The court of appeals has stayed execution of the death sentence until lis appeal can bo decided.
 In the meantime, Ingraham las be- come dissatisfied With his compensation award and c,alms that he is entitled to compensation ontho basi1 of partial loss of the finger rather than for dis ability growing out of the accident. Pending examination by the Sing Sing prison physician aa to whether there has been a partial loss ot the finger, his case is held in aheyarcc.
 While working at one of the plants