The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-06-09
BENEFITS OF OCCUPATToNAL
DISEASE BILL CITED
Many Workers Will Benefit Next
Two Years-Several Thousand
Affected

mems c. o m D e n a o n Act was
broadened considerably to include
sufferers from numerous occupa-
tional diseases, In House Bill 484,
signed by Governor Herbert r.
O'Conor, to become effective June /.
Under the Bill, compensation Is pro-
vided for disability or death result
ing from any one of thirty-four list
ed extra-hazardous employments.
1t is estimated that this addition
al coverage will add several thous-
and a year to the number of Mary
land workers sharing in the benefits
of the Workmen's Compensation
Act.
Though vigorously opposed by
representatives of the G. l. 0. Sec
ton of Labor, who also helped to
secure veto for similar measure
two years ago, the measure will
give untold benefits to the working
classes of our State, in the opinion
of Governor O'Conor, and 1t was for
this reason that he decided to sign
the present Bill, instead of waiting
for possible perfect Occupation
al Disease measure in 1914.
Veto '.Unfair', Says Governor
at would be easy for me to veto
this measure, declared Governor
O'Conor, land to suggest that be-
cause of some of the objections that
have been raised since the legisla-
ture adjourned that the whole mat
ter should go over for the next two
years. However, this would be mani
testify unfair to the great number of
people who will contract occupa-
tional diseases during the next two
years and who, under the provisions
of the proposed law, can now re-
ceive compensation.
Admitting that it is entirely pos
sible that the measure just signed
may require amendments to accomp-
lish more completely it's purposes,
Governor O'Conor pointed out that
it is the history of Workmen's Com
pensation legislation that progress
has been achieved through success
sive steps. For the last quarter of a
century in Maryland, he said, indus
trial legislation after first being en-
acted has been amended and amend
ed in succeeding Legislatures to
meet changing conditions in our in
dustrial and economic life.
Referring to the great amount of
study and consideration given to
the subject of occupational disease
coverage before the present legisla.
ton was enacted, Governor O'Conor
told of the many public hearings
that were held on the matter
throughout the State over a period
of several years. All the preparatory
work was under the supervision of
non-partisah Commission, among
whose members were representatives
of employees, employers; the FEEDER
al, State and Municipal govern
ments; labor organizations, insur-
ance companies, and members of the
medical, legal and other professions.
Laws of Other States Studied
Much data was assembled by the
commission, in addition, bearing on
legislation adopted or CONTEMPLATED
by other States, as result OF all
of which the present legislation was
drawn up, introduced into the leg
islature, and given thorough con-
sideration by both branches, with
the usual public hearings. Little OPP
position was voiced during the ses-
sion, but after the Assembly adj
journed, objections developed to
certain provisions of the Bill.
Commenting upon these objec-
tions, Governor O'Conor declared:
while everyone agrees that this
present Act may be improved in flu
ture Legislatures, / know that We
are making a decide step forward
in the interest of labor by placing
this law on the statute books of
Maryland now. l might add, that at
the convention held recently in
Western Maryland, the Maryland
District of Columbia Federation of
Labor unanimously adopted a reso-
luton urging me to sign this Bill.
Subsequently the Baltimore FEEDER
alton of Labor announced its whole
hearted backing of the measure.
Occupations Covered
Following are some of the &C.
equations covered by this new leg
islation:
Anthrax, resulting from handling
of wool, hair, bristles, hides or
skins.
Lead, zinc, mercury, PHOSPHORUS
or arsenic poisoning, resulting from
any process or occupation involving
the use of or direct contact with the
elements named.
Poisoning by wood alcohol, by
benzol or derivatives of benzene;
by any sulphide, by nitrous fumes,
by nickel carbonyl, or by formalde-
hyde and it's preparations.
Dope poisoning, hydrocyanic poi
soning; chlorine, ammonia, cadm-
| ium or manganese poisoning.