EXPLAINED NEW MEASURE.
Attorney Shapiro Advised Business Men Concerning, Compensation Act
The members of the Shelton Business Men's association and several of their friends were treated to a fine exposition of the new Workingmen's compensation act and their privileges and liabilities under that act, last evening, by Attorney Joseph Shapiro, prosecutor in the local court, and so well pleased were they with the explanation given them that they gave a unanimous vote of thanks to the speaker at the conclusion of his talk. He was introduced to the audience by Pres. D. N. Clark and said he wished to talk to them as though they were all in one as his client and he was advising them over his office desk.He said that an act simple in itself soon became complex when a multitude of learned men get at it and read into it their opinions. He had refrained from listening to any of the various addresses given on the subject and tried to study out the real meaning of the statutes. He gave a brief history of New England legislation showing how in a number of cases privileges that had apparently been guaranteed people by the constitution have been abrogated. This is done by the use of what is known as the police function of the community. He told of several of these such as the Married Woman act of 1877 and other changes that have been from time to time made along similar lines. It is through this police function that the present act is declared constitutional, as people have realized that the "Fellow Servant" act; the "Contributory Negligence" clause I and the "Assumed Risk" defence have become out of date with the vast changes in industrial conditions. There is moreover a "Joker" in the act itself that specifies that should any one or more portions of the act be pronounced unconstitutional the rest of the act shall apply.
He then took up the act itself and very plainly told its provisions and what should be done by all employers of labor. He commented on the opinion of Attorney General Light, which he says stands unless overturned by the courts and he advised all employers of labor to heed this. This is, that those who employ less than five must, if they wish to preserve their present privileges notify each of their employees of that fact and also the commissioner of compensation. He took up the act section by section and explained the provisions in such a manner as to make them perfectly plain, or as plain as the act itself permits. He answered several questions asked by Judge Dillon, O G. Beard and others and produced a number of blanks to be used by employers of less than five.
At the close of his talk Pres. Clark arose and said that he wished all who had heard Prof. Fisher might have heard the talk of Attorney Shapiro, the contrast was so great between the two, and asked that all feeling thus would rise and extend a vote of thanks to the speaker. It was made unanimous and after a brief social session, the meeting was adjourned.
I look forward to continuing our journey together into 1914. Happy New Year!
