The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-01-17
BUREAU HIRES
new YORK FIRM
OF ACTUARIES
Mr.. Scattergo0d to Be in
Charge of Work-Will Cost
From $2,5OO to- $4,000

The firm Of Dawson E. Son, New
York city, was chosen by the direc-
tors Of the Workmcn's Compscnsa
tion bureau this morning to make an
investigation Of the workmen's com
pcnsation fund and determine its
stability. The vote of the board was
unanimous.
A Mr.. Scattergood will be the ac-
tuary in charge of the work here,
the New York firm stated, and it is
estimated that the cost Of the inves-
tigation will be from $500 to $4,000
providing there are no unforeseen
circumstances, in which event the
cost would be higher.
Mr.. Scattcrwood, who recently in
vestigated the Ohio workmen's com
pensation fund, will receive $50 a
day. He will have an assistant at
$25 a day. Both men will receive
their railroad fare and expenses
The work is expected to require three
weeks of the assistants time and two
weeks of Scattergood's. 1t is expect
ed that a report will be available in
time for presentation to the legisla-
ture.
In voting "aye" on the question OF
employing the firm Of Dawson 4
Son, Commissioner II. +. Wcnzel, who
has suggested that the benefit sched
ule be reduced, but who has op-
posed tho boards plan Of engaging
an actuary at this time, said:
Explains Vote
ITO vote aye without an explana.
tion-and ] desire il to be distinctly
understood that am speaking only
for and about myself, and not for o,
about any other commissioner
, would be an acknowledgment that
could not or would not study the
problems Of the bureau for myself
] may have peculiar sense Of duty
and responsibility, hut have one
! that requires me to dig things out
for myself. 1t is my belief that the
| employment of an actuary at this
time will result only in the cxpcndi-
ture of money, and unless he should
be called before the legislative COM
mittees to discuss the particular
questions involved in the bill or bills
dealing with the reduction of benefit
schedules, and should be advised to
that effect before he starts his work,
such work would, in all probability
have little or no bearing upon the
necessity or advisability of the re-
duction, which is the only question
before the legislature"
In discussing the situation today
Mr.. Wenzel said:
"In this connection permit me to
direct attention to report Of the
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics
namely: No. 406, being the report
of the 1925 meeting of the Interna-
tional Association Of Industrial Acct.
dent Boards and Commissions. This
Bureau is a member of said Associ.
alton, and the report has been on our
shelves for nearly a year.
Beginning on page 169 thereof
you will find an acturial discussion
relating to the cost increase that
would result from a change in any
compensation law as follows: in
crease Of maximum weekly compen.
sation from SO to $12 per week and
change of the waiting period from 2
weeks not retroactive to 10 days re
troactive.
Difference in Cost
"The figuring is based upon the
American Accident table for 1OO, ,OOO
accidents. This table shows the dis.
tribution Of accidents as follows:
Fatal Observation-Disclosures. 76a
Permanent total ............. G2
Permanent partial:
Major ........... 024
Minor ............. 1854 3,7SS
Temporary total -. So.