Show SAYS WORKERS GET PROPER INDEMNITY Benefits of Federal Workmen's Compensation Act Outlined I by Department R Washington ton Oct act 27 Solicitor Charles Earl Eal of ot the department of ot commerce commer and labor Jabor has just submitted to Secretary Nagel a l of ot that department a u compilation of ot his opinions dealing with tho government government government govern govern- ment worl workmen's mens men's compensation act under which compensation Is ranted granted for Injuries In Injuries Injuries In- In juries to lo artisans or laborers employed b by tho United States This is 19 the the- pioneer among compensation acts In this country Since Sinco Its enactment sixteen states have hac passed laws of or a a. similar character anvil and the number Is lIkel likely to bo be Increased dur during ur- ur ing the coming sessions of state legisla tures The ver very general c public Interest which attaches to such legislation led Secretary Nagel l last Jul July to direct the publication of tine the solicitors s opinions under this act as Di Illustrating the tho construction construction con con- and application of ot a I. I law provid r ing com compensation t as aa contrasted w with ith a law giving a n right to cue BUG for damages gM The opinion opinions are now In course courso of at publication publication cation by tho the department which will I Ii issue ue ue the volume within a 11 week or two The rhe money benefits paid under this net act between August 1 1 I 1 S. O-S. 04 when It become became become be be- come came effective and December 1 I 1011 ag- ag gr gated paid to Injured persons on account of or nonfatal Injuries and paid to f surviving dependents on account of oC fatal tatal Injuries Since Sinco December December Decem ber bel 1911 nd additional benefits am amounting to lu nearly hn have havo b been n paid During During Dur Dur- ing tho first year after tho the passage of or ortho tho act 1803 1105 claims were submitted of or which 1680 1689 were allowed d. d During the second year car 2621 claims were submitted an and allowed provid- provid The Pie present statute applies only to artisans or laborers employed In certain specified branches of the public service or In certain hazardous s occupations under the government o Any w workman orl covered b by the act who 1 Is In Injured ure in the course of or his employment Is II entitled to ro receive for one year thereafter r unless s sooner able ble to re resume work ork th the same pay a. a as asIf asif If It he continued to be tc employed except where ra tho the Injury was due to his own negligence or misconduct If It the Injury r results in death during the year ClI the compensation allowed ed Is IR payable to the widow or children or dependent de parent parent- The he act at is administered b by the secretary of ot commerce and labor Who Vho is authorized to decide all qu questions ot or negligence or orI 1 I 1 du t n hn ho I. I is made n th the sole nl judge n scan c as Dt to when a claim l Is cst established bl ish d and d whose decision Is final Payment of ot compensation atlon under antler tho the a act t Is ml made e from the ordinary current nt appropriations for tor salaries Tho The solicitor emphasizes emphasizes' that feature of oC the tho act which permits of or tho the establishment establishment of at a I. I simple and direct mode malIc o of procedure whereby technicalities ant and delays delas arc avoided and the relict relief 1 provIded provided pro pro- 10 vided cnn be speedily given and the further feature whereby tho the t I is forbidden to exempt Itself from lla Ha- by an any contract agreement rule rula or regulation pi ln this connection he says sas Tho prompt payment ament of compensation at It a n. tine time when the winner bread 1 IB Is s stricken and Ind monc money Is 13 most moat needed without with with- out forcing the claimant to pursue an ai elaborate expensive ex o and dilatory nato process of ot l proof roof is Js one ono of ot the striking benefit benefits of or th the act Being in Its nature f q r remedial n it H is rightly of or a n. liberal interpretation 0 as contrasted with a a. strict Interpretation in to bring homo home tho the benefits Intended Sue Such has be been n the Interpretation re regularly ap apo piled plied by tho the secretary of ot commerce ant and labor without of at course disregarding an any of the limitations of of- tho the statute o of oj extending It beyond Its Hs In speaking further of oC the tho nature benefits of or tho the act the solicitor tate states that It marks a a. distinct step In advancer advance and substitutes an an enlightened mode modem view taw for tor certain obsolete o othe oC the common la law since It not only o gives ell a n remedy where no none no existed before but it waives salves the right of ot tho the government go te tee to e exemption from liability and dispenses dispenser n with tho the necessity of ot appeals to Congress In In individual cases |