Evening star., 1923-03-20
ASKS HEALTH TEST
AS SAFETY STEP IN
j. s. DEPARTMENTS
Dr.. {. C. Ernst Points Out
Losses at Organization
of Council.
MEASURES ALREADY
TAKEN ARE REVEALED
Government Elevators Declared Be-
low Standards Set-Many
Slip on Wet Floors.

With the perfecting to-day of the
organization Of the interdepartment-
al safety council authorized by PreSi-
dent Harding. representatives from
tno government establishments con-
sldered plans today for instituting
safety measures in all the federal de
partmentS with view to putting the
government workshops on a par with
the safety achievements OF private
employers.
The meeting. which was held in the
auditorium of the Interior Depart
ment. resulted in the election OF Lieut..
Of the Office S"sf of pu5lia snpeFinsnadses bddinss
and grounds. as chairman OF the
council: OF 5. j. Owen. safety engi-
chairman. and Capt. W. L. McMorris
OF Col. Sherrilfs office, as secretary
The three officials named also will
serve as officers of an executive com
mtttee, Ihe following members of
which We're appointed today;
Comm ander II. L. Ingersoll. Navy
Departments; Maj. Brainerd Taylor
war Department: W. G. Jabas. treas
urer; I. q. Mallilieu. Post Office De-
partment; ". G: Llyod, Department
service Commission: Charles II. Yer
rill. United States Employees Compen-
satlon Commission; Walter c. Copp
government printing office. and J. II.
Physical Test Urged.
One of the most important questions
discussed following the organization
of the council, was the advisability Of
putting all applicants for civil serv-
ice examinations through an adequate
physical test
recommendation that this step
h..e e,1r
Ernst, medical officer OF the compensa-
ton commission, who pointed out the
serious losses in federal funds and en-
pioyes time which had been incurred
through accidents which might have
been prevented had the employees been
examined physically before being as
signed their duties.
Col Sheriff. pointed out that DR.
Ernsts suggestion was one that mer-
tied serious study He explained that
the War Department at present ex-
amines certain of its employees be-
fore assigning them TO their work
with view to seeing IL they are
physically capable OF doing It. He
said it would no doubt be advisa-
Bile not only to examine the appli-
cants, at the time of their mental
examination but to hold regular
physical tests at stated intervals.
Cooperating With Council.
In opening the conference Col.
Sheriff. pointed out that the govern
ment was actively cooperating with
the Washington Safety Council, re-
ernment was desirous of maintaining
a high standard OF safety among
its own employees. He explained that
chauffeurs Of government vehicles
were attending the training school
now under way and that a poster
campaign was one phase of an edu-
cational drive planned.
Various departmental representa-
tives told OF the losses entailed by
accidents in government establish
ments and Of safety measures which
are being taken TO reduce such acci-
dents to a minimum. Mr.. Verrill gave
figures In connection with payments
of compensation to government en-
ployes tending to show that careful
guard of the employees in their daily
work would reduce the annual COM
penSation budget. The commission,
he pointed out, was engaged in acci-
dent prevention, first aid. medical
care and cure and compensation
off.
The greatest drain on the compen-
sation fund, he declared, originated
from strains undergone by employees
Had such employees been subjected to
a rigid physical examination prior
to their assignment to their task, he
said, many of these claims against
the government would be obviated
Wet Floors Cited.
Another important factor in the
large compensation payment made re-
Gently was the slipping by employees
on wet floors. Thirty-five such ac-
cidents during the past year occur
red in Washington alone. and they
cost the government $4,000. Wash
ing Of floors, he stated, should be pro-
hibited during working hours
The government in the past has
not paid the attention to accident
prevention that broad-minded pri-
yate employers have" Mr.. verrill
said. The government does not al
ways observe elevator safety laws
with resultant loss of money and in
jury to employees. A recent survey
of elevators in government buildings
In this city showed that only one lift
came up to the safety standards gen
orally prescribed. The new Interior
Department building was put up
without regard for safety. This dis
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