New Britain herald., 1926-06-11
FAVORS CHANCE IN
 COMPENSATION LAW
Causing Unemployment Among
 Physically Handicapped

aussien of the pensation law as t Is being interpreted by the courts, s the .nual meeting of the Manu- .actarers' association of Hartford county. held l.st evening in the Country club. Pennington.
 Charles B, Whittelsey, president O. ths Hartford Rubber Works, and Elowsn Cheney. of Cheney Bros, South Manchester, analyze the law and pointed out the far-reaching ef- tscts of Judicial interpretations on 10th employer ;,nd worker. In their opinion the broadening of the act, so as to take in diseases and injur- les arising out of remote causes, coupled with the indefinite length ening of the time limit on claims has introduced an element of uncer- tsinty which makes 1t impossible for the employer 10 protect himself against 8 certain class of false claims. The speakers pointed out that in cases of -occupational diseases which are aggravated by an injury a long period may elapse before the claim Is made and when 1t is well night impossible to trace the chain Of occurrences.
 Mir. Whittelsey said the present trouble with the law is that it is too loosely worded and as a result of broad interpretations it is being changed into life and old age insur- ance with the entire burden falling on industry.
 Affecting the Worker
 On the same subject Manager Thomas J. Kelley said:
 "Liberalizing of the law through court interpretations Is increasing unemployment among the physically handicapped. While of considerable economic value these people are not being employed as heretofore be- cause under compensation rulings they are made serious hazards This means that the law is becoming burden rather than a benefit to many men and women who, regard less of their physical defects, were readily employed in our factories while the act was construed to al- low proportional compensation in case of pre- existing injury.
 Industry, fl is needless 10 add, IS becoming alarmed over this situ- ation. and the handicapped victims Of the liberaIizing policy are won dering what it is all about. Legal technicalities when involved in ex- plantations Of why they cannot get work, merely bewilder them.
 Remedial legislation should be sought fire UT next legislature, not cnly by industry, but by the handi- capped employees and charitable or ganizatiora. The latter are fully eognizant Of the serious effects of recent interpretations of the law on Che people in whose interest they junction.
 Business Report
 In his business review the man. ts.r said;
 our fiscal year. which ends to- night, was one Of prosperity and progress. Our industries did large volume or business, our employees ouioved steady and remuneratiye mploymcnt, our association policies were strengthened and extended and our traditional record for industrial peace was uumarred From October 1924, following he presidential elec- ton until MaEch of this year the curve of employment continued steadily upward until the addition to our total working force approXi- mated coco hands About March i there WIS 6 business huctuation r;I T ployment curve took downward slant for the first time in IS months. This temporary recession in its ini- rial stage reflected slow down in the automobile industry, but since then the tendency has become more general. During the past two months the Detroit automobile plants have released ,vcr 9 ,000 workers.
 Business Outlook
 ''The indications are that indus trial activity will experience little change from tho present levels dur ing tho summer, but an upward trend in production is looked for in the early fall. Some Of our plants do not anticipate any material re- cession from their Scasonahle vol umc For the two months prior 10 June tho decline in our working force totalled l-4 per cent The man-hour activity of Hartford coun- " factories is now E2 per cent of estimated normal. Wages average i33 per cont above the 1914 rates and cost of living Is GS.4 above the 1914 level.
 "We maiu' iDcd our relatively nigh wages during tGe year thus afiording our employees an adyan- taee in purchasing power never previously experienced. T. has been rha aim Of 0ur association 10 cn- courage generous relationship be- rv-.-u wages and cost Of living. Tn tac'. under our policies there is q constant bro1dcuug of employee management relations in the inter est of good will and tha general well fare Of both. Maintaining high wages in ;he face ot increasing com petition and lowering prices Is at- tributahle 10 administrative nh technical ability. efficient and con tented workers and 10 the pro'oc- Iun afforded our markets hy inc tarT law"
 The following officers were elected --rr,eIlsut. Charles E. Cook Hart fprf rr3 vire-prnsiIant, Arthur D. rnniu. Windsor Locks; second vice president. George F.. Bean New Britain
 Board Of managers, James r.. Goodwin. Howell Cpeney, Samuel NJ. Stone, Charles B. Wbittelscy charIcs T, Rice, Joseph M Morrow, Charles |. Cook, Carlisle IT, Bald win. Joseph r. Lamb, Clarence F. Bennett. Fuller F. Barnes. AleNan- der C. Harper Mitchell $. Little, Stanley $. Gnt)im Arthur n. Cof- fin. F. \. Wells. LHcius Enssi'er