Defending the New Workers' Compensation Act

Since October 1, a large number of men injured while at work have come to the Labor Temple and received application blanks for insurance under the compensation law. In the majority of cases the injured were not members of labor organizations, but it made no difference. One and all were given all assistance possible in making their applications. In not a single instance was there a 'fake' injury. Not one of them stuck his hand in front of a saw so he could loaf and get paid for it. Not one got in the way of a falling tree because he was tired of working. Nobody deliberately injured himself. Neither do we believe that many men will lie around after they are able to return to work because they are drawing a small amount from the state. We will tell you what WILL happen, and it ought to happen. When a man is injured at his employment, he will take time that he ought to take to allow his injury to properly heal before returning to work. It appears that an effort is being made in some sources to create a sentiment against the law that will bring its repeal. It is plain to see why casualty companies should fight the law, and we can understand the spirit which actuates some employers in fighting it. The spirit and intent of the act is so humane and just that the public must see the motive that prompts its attack from certain quarters under the flimsy pretext that the law is being abused.