Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-04-14
O'CONOR THINKS
THE LEGISLATURE
DID GOOD WORK

The 1889 Legislature is history, but
its accomplishments will live on, to
help or plague the State, in proportion
TO the soundness or lack of soundness
incorporated in more than 700 bills
that were passed, and are now await
ing the signature of Governor Her
bert r. o'Conor.
That Governor o'Conor considers
the work of the Legislators well done,
is evidenced by his definite statement,
after q review of the administration
sponsored and other legislation passed
that: az consider that the General As
sembly of 1889 has written upon the
statute books of this State more
sound and progressive legislation that
has ever before been enacted in one
session in the history of Maryland"
Governor O'Conor at the same time
paid tribute to the members of the
General Assembly for their conscien-
tious service, in which he included the
members of the minority party who in
many instances, he declared, disregard
ed party considerations in supporting
what they thought best for the State.
There should be cause for genuine
satisfaction, contends Governor O'Con-
or, over the passage of labor legisla-
ton affecting relations between en-
ployers and employees, not least a.
mong which is the changed set-up in
the office of the Commissioner of
Labor and Statistics. This official
must now give his full time to the
duties of his office, and the new legis-
lation will assure improved function
ing of the office in the adjustment
of disputes between workers and en-
ployers.
Reorganization of the State Indus
trial Accident Commission will insure
more prompt consideration and decis-
ion upon workmen's claims. Under
the new law there will be three asso-
ciate members of the Commission,
each authorized to hear and determine
cases arising under the Workmen's
Compensation Law, which will make
it possible to conduct more frequent
hearings in various parts of the State.
Heretofore, such hearings had to wait
until a majority of the Commission
could be present.
The Workmen's Compensation Law
also has been amended so as to pro-
vide benefits for those who contract
occupational diseases by reason of
their employment. This will greatly
increase the number Of persons to re-
ceive the benefits of the Compensa-
ton Law. The enactment of these
changes carries out the campaign
pledge made by Governor O'Conor,
and will operate to the advantage of
a great number of workers who hither-
to have not received protection under
the law. Laws providing for great
er safety measures in mines, and for
better inspection of mine weights and
measures, also will help this large
class of workers in the western part
of the State.
From a county standpoint, aboli-
ton of the old justice of the peace
system with magistrates paid on the
obsolete fee method, and substitution
of some Is trial magistrates, located
at convenient points throughout the
counties, and paid by the various
counties, will bring lasting benefits
to the State, Governor O'Conor is con-
WINGED. BY the sharp reduction in the
number of such magistrates, and by
the salaries to be paid the new magis-
trates, Governor o'Conor is confident
a much higher calibre of magistrates
can be found, with consequent benefit
to every citizen of the State.
Second only in Importance to this
Statewide reform of the minor judi