Arizona state miner., 1925-09-26
NEW KIND OF LAWYERS

More than a month ago a number
of sO-caIled misunderstanding" law
yerS held a meeting in Phoenix for
the purpose of forming plans to fight
the WOrkmen's compensation measure
but Judge Struckmeyer was not
among them. It was the cause Of
some misgivings on the part of the
lawyers that he was absent. 1t now
seems, however, that they have won
him over to their side and are using
his ability to help them out His es-
pOuSal of their cause will help them
but it greatly will lessen his influence
among those who thought he was a
real friend of the wOrkingman, for
they cannot hereafter regard him as
such.-Courier.
Now read thisI
The proposed Workmen's Compen-
sation Act does not rebound to the
welfare of the State as a whole, and
for this reason alone / am opposed
thereto. Some of the objections are:
l. Section A of the act brings
within its operation ''the state, and
each county, city, town, munich;
corporation and school district there
in" Thus it will be seen that the
state, counties, cities and school dis
tricts are required to pay premiums
into the state insurance fund for en-
ployees in entirely non-hazardous oc-
cupatiOns. This is wholly without the
scope of compensation act, and
places an unnecessary expense upon
the taxpayers. Our efforts must be
directed toward reduction, rather
than an increase of taxes if our com
munities are to prosper.
2. Within the Act are brought all
employers, merchant, barber, ct Get
era, employing more than three per-
sons, except agricultural laborers not
employed in the use of machinery,
and domestic servants. This is plac-
ing burden upon employers without
regard to the condition of labor,
namely, whether the occupation is
hazardous or not. In the end, of
course, the consumer, the public,
bears the burden.
3. The act grossly discriminates
against alien dependents in the am
cunt of compensation to be paid. At
first blush this does not appear un-
fair since we are primarily concern
ed in taking care of our own citizens.
But in the practical operation of in
companies, allowed to carry their
own insurance. will in the employ
ment of labor favor, in fact. give
preference to aliens. Many years Of
udy and observation satisfies me
that If the Act becomes a law the
American of a large and dependent
family will find it difficult, if not i'm
possible, to secure employment in Ar
Vxyif1N
the Act are permitted to pay their
own compensation. Arizona is a
young and growing state, and the in
fiux of Americans of family should
be encouraged, not stifled.
4. The powers of the proposed
Commission are too broad. They are
oligarchic. They are not limited to
matters properly appertaining to the
payment of compensation for insur-
ance, but include powers wholly dis
associated therefrom. This is too
dangerous a governmental policy to
lnaugurated.
Many further objections exist in
the Act of great Importance. [ have
covered but four fundamentals which
alone, in my opinion, condemn the
Act. Nor do I believe that the Act
is even for the best interests of labor.
| we'll know there are those who as
sert the contrary. The former, how
ever, is my opinion. I am not taking
space to set forth my views thereon,
since this is question in which the
general public is less interested than
those directly concerned
Lest l be misunderstood, | have al
ways, and do now, deem it sound
governmental policy to remove ques-
ti0ns of compensation or liability for
injuries from the field of private con-
trOversy, but I cannot subscribe to
the justice of the proposed Compen-
sation Act to the people of the state
at large, and, therefore, and for this
reason alone [ am opposed to it's ad-
option
F. c. STRUCKMEYER