Proceedings of the Annual Meeting Volume 1-3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... without loss of time, any defects in plants or appliances to the foreman in charge of the work or to the engineer of the station. "The directors thankfully acknowledge this cooperation in the past, for since this scheme was started in 1897 the proportion of accidents per 1000 subscribers to the fund has been greatly reduced, as is proved by the following figures: 1898........ 82 per 1,000 1903........ 56 per 1,000 1899........ 76 " 1,000 1904........ 50 " 1,000 1900........ 71 " 1,000 1905........ 44 " 1,000 1901........ 64 " 1,000 1906........ 37 " 1,000 1902........ 52 " 1,000 " In this particular accident fund, the device of a jury of workmen to investigate each accident, and the grading of the workmen's contribution at each station according to the number of accidents in that station, are thought to work toward prevention. It appears, therefore, that these two objects are not wholly distinct, and we may legitimately mention the desirability of preventing accidents as one of the strong arguments in favor of a system of compensation, even though more direct ways of prevention are also desirable. 2. The wasteful character of our system of damages for negligence is another important consideration. Take an illustration from the Wisconsin Supreme Court cases of this year. A man was severely injured for life by falling into 'a trench filled with hot water. The damages were $6500, of which the sum of $3500 was paid to his attorneys, and it is said that his expenses due to the acci dent are about equal to the balance. This case did not determine any important point of principle. The fact that the man was severely injured while at work was not disputed. The legal contest cannot...