The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-01-11
Worthy of Investigation

Commissioner Wenzel of the Workmens Com.
pensation Bureau did very plain talking before
the members of the local Kiwanis Club today. ne
presented facts and figures published in another
column Of this paper that should make labor, en-
ployer, state officials and members of the legis-
latrre sit up and take notice
In conclusion, he made the very modest request
for hearing before legislative committee to
answer questions and elaborate upon any phases of
the situation not clear to the lawmakers. He should
be given every opportunity to establish his case
against the benefits under the compensation act and
the system of administering relief that obtains in
the bureau.
Enough can be CLEANED from his remarks to con-
vince a layman unaccustomened to the vocab
ulary Of the bureau that there is need for a
thorough revampng of the schedule of specific
benefits. Legislators might go step farther
and examine into the qualifications of some of the
members on the commission to serve fairly both the
interests Of labor and capital
Mr. Wenzel has made a careful study of his case.
He has shown by specific figures and instances the
inherent weakness of the whole workmen's compen
sation act administered.
1t is not necessary to reiterate here the facts
marshaled by Mr.. Wenzel. He offers under oath
npon the witness stand to substantiate his conten.
tions and to throw wide open the whole matter of
bureau administration.
bOtn LABOR ana the employer are vitality interested
IN the management Of the bureau and the schedule
OF benefits. Comparisons made with schedules
obtaining in other states should be most convin:-
ing to any who takes the time to read the
figures arrayed by Mr.. Wenzel.
The nub of the situation is summed up in this
paragraph
"What else does it mean? 1t means that
+ excess of zeal on the part Of certain propa-
y gandsts placed upon the people of this state
II in time of strong political stress, burden
:, that the natural experience of another 25
years cannot hope to cope with, and it is
j, doubtful If we should arrive at point where
u there would be sufficient covcrage to handle
. such schedule in so years."
q This session should 60 to work upon the adjust
Anent Of the benefit schedule Opportunity to fix
temporary benefits through favoritsm to either
employer or employee should be prevented There
are several discrepancies in the fixing of temporary
relief which work hardship upon employer and
employee alike.
s The bureau is supposed to have a representative
q the people, of labor and Ct the employer Theoret
ically the scheme of organization may be ideal but
u does not work out that way. There have been
instances where labor has been given anything but
reasonable relief and other cases where relief has
been excessive. The bureau has been organized
Just long enough to invite searching investigation
q its operations and Mr.. Wenze is doing the state
real service in demanding enc on the part of this
session.
II The bureau is permitted to plod along as now
organized. some day will witness total collapse
OF the whole structure and many employers will
1nd that they have been paying excessive rates for
bogus protection.