The Act creating the Commission was amended several times, but
the latest amendment is that made by Chapter 990 of the Acts of
1946 when the terms of the Commissioners were increased from four
to six years.

The work of the Commission involves determining what occupations
are covered; investigating reports of accidents, and adjudicating
claims for compensation, arising under the Law. Hearings are held
throughout the State in contested cases.

Since the passage of the Workmen's Compensation Law in 1914,
some important changes were made in 1931 and 1939, upon the recom-
mendations of committees appointed by the Governor for that pur-
pose, and were concurred in by representatives of employees, employ-
ers and insurance carriers. Other notable amendments were enacted
by the General Assembly in 1943 and 1945,1 the most important of
which were the increase of temporary total disability payments from
$20.00 a week to $23.00 a week; the increase of permanent total
disability awards from $6,000.00 to $7,500.00; the increase of total
benefits to dependents from $5,000.00 to $6,500.00; the broadening of
the law in hernia cases; the increase of the amounts payable under
permanent partial disability from $18.00 to $20.00 per week, and the
establishment of a Second Injury Fund.

The entire expense of the Commission is borne by the private insur-
ance companies which write compensation insurance, self-insurers,
and the State Accident Fund; while the cost of operating the State
Accident Fund is borne by the policyholders 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
amendment provides that there shall be a Medical Board consisting
of three members who shall be licensed physicians in good profes-
sional standing, two or whom shall have had at least five years prac-
tice 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, with the approval 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.

Name Term Expires Postoffice
Chairman .. ... Vacancy .. Baltimore
Dr. John W. Pierson ......... ..1949.. .... — Baltimore
Dr. Nathan B. Herman.. ...... 1947........ .. ..Baltimore

COMMISSIONERS OF STATE ACCIDENT FUND
Telephone: PLaza 4788

Name Term Expires Postoffice
John A. Sherman, Chairman 1947 .. .. .. Baltimore
William B. Lebherz, Vice-Chairman 1948 ... ....... Frederick