of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 689

final figures undoubtedly will exceed five and a half million dollars for this
period. The Reserve Fund now totals $41, 662, 295. 87 as of April 30th.

In view of the extreme large payments to date, and the problems of
economic readjustment that undoubtedly will arise in the post-war period,
even the rapid rate of rise in the reserve at the present time will be none too
large for the unemployment problem that the Board may face after the war
is finally won and war production begins to taper off.

Similarly, ask the German worker how well he will fair in case of ac-
cident, and compare that with the situation in Maryland and throughout
America at this time. During 1941 there were 54, 000 industrial accidents re-
ported, and nearly 16, 000 claims disposed of. In the twelve months a total of
approximately $2, 000, 000 of benefits was paid, a grand total that does not
include the amount of awards in the great number of temporary total disa-
bility cases, in which the disability continued beyond the year of report. Nor
does it include payments made during the year on* awards made in previous
years. Nor does it include the several hundred thousands of dollars paid by
employers and insurers for medical treatment of injured workers.

As an instance of the determination of this Administration to improve
further every phase of labor conditions, it might be mentioned that a number
of improvements have been made in procedure in the handling of the Workmans'
Compensation Law. Further, it might be noted that while in former years the
time lapsing between the request for a hearing of a claim and the mailing of the
award was 46 days, as a result of recent changes made by the State Industrial
Accident Commission, the time now lapsing between the request of a hearing
for a claim and the mailing of the award averages only 19 days. This) repre-
sents a decrease in. the time lapsing of 85%. Furthermore, the Commission
declared war on postponement of hearings and is re-scheduling more promptly
cases that have been unavoidably continued. Decisions are now made and
compensations) awards mailed out on an average within two days after the
date of hearing. ........

Other improved procedures include a study of medical and surgical fees.
The whole schedule has remained unchanged since its adoption in 1924. At the
request of the Commission a group of some 20 physicians of the State are
working to overhaul and revise this schedule. The job will be completed at a
very early date.

Another new procedure is that the Commission's Medical Examiner is now
available at the Commission's offices every afternoon when hearings take
place, thus obviating the necessity of return visits by injured workers. During
1941 more than 300 non-insuring employers who had failed to comply with the
law, have been persuaded to take out policies. Furthermore, much progress
has been made in conjunction with the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services,
to prepare disabled workers for rehabilitation.

It has always been our boast in Maryland that the policy of toleration
handed down, to us from Colonial times was reflected in the dealing between
Labor and Capital in our State. We have been proud of the fact that there
has always been a disposition to recognize that both Capital and Labor had
equal rights. Undoubtedly such recognition has had much to do with the very