On the Relation of Accident Frequency to Business Activity

All mankind when in a hurry tend to cut corners and take a chance. The man hurrying for a train dodges the taxis around the station. The business man under pressure of orders hires the man he would not consider in normal times. On the other hand, when we have plenty of time we wait for the signal of the traffic officer. And when times slacken tip and employers have to reduce forces the poorer workmen go first. We are all familiar with these facts. But do we give them full consideration and recognize their bearing on our own problem of compensation ratemaking? Our attention has recently been forcibly called to them and their bearing on our work in connection with the returns under Massachusetts Schedule Z 1915. We believe the results of our studies thereby suggested are of sufficient importance to justify giving general publicity to them.