New York (State). Moreland Act Commission to Study Workmen's Compensation Administration and Costs.

Governor Thomas E. Dewey's Executive Order of September 17, 1953 appointed Archie O. Dawson head of a commission to study the cost of workers' compensation and the related operations and procedures of state agencies under the Workmen's Compensation Law.

The Commission's investigation included studies of: insurance costs; medical costs; costs of administering workers' compensation; how New York costs compared with those of other states; reasons for New York State's higher costs; and ways to reduce costs.

The Commission held public and private hearings at which presentations were made by insurance companies and associations, employer and industry associations, attorneys and legal associations, labor unions and associations, and physicians and medical associations. The Commission also solicited written comments and data from physicians, the New York State Insurance Department, the New York State Insurance Fund, and the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board.

Dawson resigned from the Commission on June 14, 1954, and on July 9 Governor Dewey appointed Charles S. Hamilton to head the Commission. Upon assuming office in 1955, newly-elected Governor Averell Harriman appointed Joseph M. Callahan to head the Commission on June 30, 1955, and a new staff was hired to continue the investigation, which was completed in 1958. A number of the Commission's legislative and procedural recommendations were adopted during and after the investigation, including reducing the number of compensation hearings held by the Workmen's Compensation Board.

From the description of Investigation administration files, 1938-1959 (bulk 1953-1958). (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 83418976