THE STATE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
COMMISSION

741 Equitable Building, Baltimore.

Name. Term Expires. Postoffice.
Robert H. Carr, Chairman ........... 1935 ... Baltimore
Omar D. Crothers....................................1939 Elkton
Daniel R. Randall . ..... 1937 ... Baltimore
Secretary, Albert E. Brown, Baltimore.

Governor appoints three, not more than two of whom shall be of the
same political faith, one for 6 years, one for 4 years, and one for 2
years, and as these terms expire the successor is appointed for 6 years.
The Governor designates the chairman. (Ch. 800, 1914.)

The State Industrial Accident Commission is charged with the duty
of administering the Workmen's Compensation Law. The law provides,
first, for the payment of compensation to employees injured in certain
extra-hazardous employments, and to their dependents in case of death;
second, that all employers in such occupations shall secure the payment
of such compensation by insuring their liability in a stock mutual com-
pany, or the State Accident Fund, or by proving to the satisfaction of
the Commission their financial ability to pay the compensation.

The business of the Commission is to administer the Workmen's
Compensation Act and involves determining what occupations are in-
cluded, receiving reports of accidents, receiving, investigating and
adjudicating claims arising under the Act. Hearings are held in con-
tested cases. In addition to these duties, the Commission administers
the State Accident Fund, which is provided by the Act as one of the
methods by which employers must insure.

The General Assembly of Maryland in its session of 1929 amended
the Workmen's Compensation Law, giving the Commission the power to
formulate reasonable rules and regulations for the establishment and
maintenance of safety, having in mind the prevention of and reduction
in accidents in occupations governed by the provisions of the Work-
men's Compensation Law. Shortly after the adoption of this amendment
the Commission organized a Safety Department for the purpose of
carrying on this work, which department is administered by the Com-
mission.

Since the passage of the Workmen's Compensation Law in 1914 there
have been numerous amendments passed by the General Assembly. These
amendments had in view the purpose of adapting the law to conditions
as they now exist. Some of the more important changes were made in
1931 on the recommendations of a committee appointed by the Governor
for that purpose, and were concurred in by representatives of employees,
employers and insurance carriers.

The Jurisdiction of the State Industrial Accident Commission is con-
tinuing. Many petitions for reopening or rehearing, after final settle-
ment of claims, are presented, requiring long record of medical and
other testimony, many resulting in appeals. This greatly increases the
work and expense of the department from year to year.

When the General Assembly of Maryland in 1914 passed the Work-
men's Compensation Act, they recognized the fact that employers might
be put in the position where they would not be able to comply with the