Fund, or by proving to the satisfaction of the Commission their finan-
cial ability to pay the compensation.

The work of the Commission involves determining what occupations
are covered; receiving and investigating reports of accidents; •re-
ceiving, investigating and adjudicating claims for compensation aris-
ing under the Law. Hearings are held throughout the State in con-
tested cases.

Since the passage of the Workmen's Compensation Law in 1914,
amendments to the law have been passed from time to time, by the
General Assembly, for the purpose of adapting the law to changing
conditions. Some of the more important changes were made in 1931
and 1939, upon the recommendations of committees 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
continuing. Many petitions for reopening or rehearing, after final
settlement of claims are presented, requiring long record of medical
and other testimony, many resulting in appeals. This greatly in-
creases the work and expense of the department from year to year.

The expense of operating the State Industrial Accident Commis-
sion is not a burden upon the tax-payers of the State, as the entire
expense of the Commission, not including the State Accident Fund,
is borne by the private insurance companies which write compensa-
tion insurance, self-insurers, and the State Accident Fund; while the
cost of operating the State Accident Fund is borne by the policy-
holders insuring in the Fund.

Chapter 465 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, 1939,
amended the Law to provide compensation for disability or death,
resulting from a listed schedule of occupational diseases. This amend-
ment provides that there shall be a Medical Board consisting of three
members who shall be licensed physicians in good professional stand-
ing, two of whom shall have had at least five years practice in the
diagnosis, treatment and care of industrial diseases, and one of whom
shall be especially trained in roentgenology, and who shall have had
at least five years practice and experience. They shall be appointed
by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate
from a list of nominees to be submitted by the Deans of the Medical
Departments of the University of Maryland and of the Johns Hop-
kins University and by the Council of the Medical and Chirurgical
Faculty of Maryland, each of these three agencies to submit a list
of at least three persons, two of whom shall be especially experienced
in occupational diseases, and one of whom shall be an experienced
roentgenologist. One of said members shall be designated as Chair-
man of the Medical Board by the Governor. The term of office of a
member of such board shall be six years, except that the first appoint-
ments hereunder shall be made as follows: One for two years, one
for four years and one for six years. Vacancies shall be filled for
the balance of the unexpired terms in the same manner as the original
appointments, as herein above provided. A majority of the Medical
Board shall constitute a quorum.

Dr. Raymond G. Hussey

Chairman 1945 Baltimore
Dr. John W. Pierson 1949 Baltimore
Dr. Nathan B. Herman 1947 Baltimore