The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17

Lewis Bowen. secretary of the Ala hama State Federation of Labor, sub mits the following provisions for model workmen's compensation act, compiled by Carl Hookstadt, United States bureau of labor statistics:
 l. Compensation Compulsory. "A compensation law should be compul- sorry unless it conflicts with your state constitution.
 2. Administration. -- The adminis- tration of the compensation act should be under Rn industrial acci- dent board or commission composed of preferably three members. A com parison of the experience under the court and comml ssion systems of ad- ministratlon shows that an adminls- trative commission Is necessary to insure to the injured workmen their rights under the law.
 8. Insurance. Insurance by the employer should be compulsory. The results of a recent investigation of compensation insurance systems (Bul. s01) shows the interest of both the employer and workmen is better served under an exclusive state fund than under any other type of in- surance.
 {. Scope of Coverage.--Aii sndus- tries and all employees, including state and municipal, but exempting possibly domestic service, should bo covered by a compensation law. The provision exemptinE the small em- ployer and se-oalled non-hazardous industries. should be eliminated from the act.
 5. uries>-oooupationai diseases trA w%r lo1 nI uA be included. The inclusion of occu- pational diseases would increase the compensation cost at the most not more than two per cent and proba- bly not mort than one per cent Of tho total accident cost.
 6. Waiting Period. = The waiting period should not be more than seven days, perhaps not more than three days.
 T. Medical Service. = Unlimited medical and hospital service should be furnished without cost to the in- 5ured person.
 {. Percentage -- The amount of compensation should equal, in case of disability. at least 6s 2-8 DOT cent of the injured employees wages. In case of death, tho percentage should vary with the oontugaI condition and num- pCT oL CHiAuToltp ranging AEV1A GU PcA cent in the case of a lone widow. plus 10 per cent for each child with a maximum of ee 2-3 per cent.
 g. Weekly Maximum and Mini mum~JThers should be no weekly maximum. except, perhaps, In the case of exceptionally highly paid workers. The weekly minimum should not be les than $t3. or actual wages If wages are less than s12.
 10. Compensation Periods.--In fa- tai accidents compensation should be paid until death or remarriase of the widow. In case of remarriags, a lump sum equal to two years com pensation should be awarded her. Children should receive compensation up to the age of IS and longer if physically or mentally incapacitated.
 II. In permanent total disability cases, compensation should continue during life as 8 pension. In tenn porary total disability cases. compen- sation should be paid during disa- bility. In permanent partial disa- bility cases, compensation should be paid for temporary total disability during the healing period. and In ad- dition, compensation for permanent partial disability equal at least to the New York schedule (see page 75 of Bull. 275).
 12. Second .Injuries.-In case of a second injury, 1. e., in case of sec ond arm or eye, etc.. the employer should be charged only with tho cost of one member. but the Injured em- rloye should receive compensation for the disability caused by the com bined injuries. Tho difference be-