Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-25

because the gentleman who had been
engaged as counsel was unable to be
present, and he had been asked to
fill in. In opening he said that there
were two distinct changes in the
present law proposed by these three
bills. Two of these were changes in
principle and two in the methods Of
administration. There was proposed
achange in the exemption period, as
we'll as a change for the period dur
ing which, compensation should be
paid; also the present exemption Of
numbering and log driving operations
was removed.
He felt that the waiting period -
the period between occurrence of the
accident and time when compensa-
ton begins-from ten to seven and
that full compensation should be paid
from time of injury. He personally
felt that unless the injury was such
as to make the period of disability
a period of three or four weeks there
should not be paid compensation
from time of injury.
The bills proposed an increase in
compensation of from 60 per cent. as
now, to &c 2-3 per cent. He felt that
this was a liberal and q proper rate.
He also felt that the provisions of
these measures which increased the
maximum compensation from SIS to
$40 a week, was proper
He regarded the proposed change
that in case of permanent disability
the sufferer should receive compensa-
ton for life, instead of for 500 weeks,
as now, was fair, but thought that
after fixed period the amount of
weekly compensation should be re-
duced.
He also felt that the provisions of
the law should be compulsory upon
State, county, municipalities and
corporations having the right Of
eminent domain in their charters.
J. o. Poulin of Livermore Falls,
president of the Maine Federation OF
Labor, and H. p. Drawn Of Augusta.
secretary of that organization. spoke
in behalf of the proposed changes.
Judge Benz. r. Cleaves of Bidde-
ford, representing the Associated In
dustries Of Maine. appeared in oppo-
sition to the changes proposed. He
told the committee that he did not
wish to be understood to oppose the
compensation law. It was in oppose
ton to the measures now before the
committee and this opposition was
upon the ground that any change in
the present law would be unwise and
prejudicial to the welfare Of Maine.
The public at large, as we'll as en-
ployer and employe. was vitality inter-
ested in this matter.
1t was not. he said, q question Of
whether Massachusetts, or some other
state had adopted a law; the fact that
that state had done SO was no reason
for Names doing likewise, especially
without knowing what the results had
been. Always consideration must be
given to what the results in Maine
will be-
He discussed manufacturing condi-
tions in Maine, distance from source of
supply of raw materials and from mar
kets. costs Of freight and then said
that too many handicaps must not be
placed upon the industries Of this
State If they were to successfully COM
pete with other states and they must
w ILLS II SHcy WCIS W COutluues
great objection to these proposed
changes was that the present rates had
been In existence but II months and
he thought that was not sufficient to
determine whether they were sufficient
or excessive or not enough. He called
attention to the fact that in six Of the
southern states In which Maine textile
mills were in direct competition there
was no compensation Law and the
hours Of labor were from IS TO 90 per
week. All the Maine manufacturers
asked was that they be treated fairly,
Phillip K. Dana of Westbrook, II, F.
Ford of Auburn. w. S. Libbet Of Lew
iston aadcW. E. Wentworth Of Old
Town all ssaid that they felt the pres
ent law should be permitted to stand
without change until It's advantages
and disadvantages could be better
learned.