1920: In a June 30 report, our Manager Claude Fellows notes: “The continued aim in the administration of the fund will be to conduct it as a model of service and economy to employers; and humanitarianism, justice and prompt relief will be its watchwords in its dealings with the victims of industry in accordance with the spirit and intent of the law to which it owes its creation.”

1922: The Argonaut Mine accident receives nationwide coverage as captured by The Day Newspaper, New London, Conn., August 30, 1922. Responding to the Aug. 27 disaster at our policyholder, Argonaut Mine, in Amador County in which 47 miners were killed, our Manager Claude Fellows writes: “The disaster at Jackson is most horrifying and constitutes … the Fund’s first real catastrophe. It is difficult for me to express the mixed feelings of horror and gratification which I felt at the first news – horror because of the terrible suspense and distress of many human beings – gratitude that the Fund is so well prepared to meet the responsibilities of any such disaster which could possibly occur.”

Also, Claude Fellows, our first Manager, hired in 1913, resigns. He charts a new personal course - founding a new insurance company, Associated Indemnity. R.W. Pendegast is appointed our Acting Manager.

1923: On June 1, we move to our new Home Office at the State Building, at San Francisco’s Civic Center. In August, Clark B. Day is appointed Manager. A partial listing of our policyholders at the time includes: California Fruit Exchange; C&H Sugar; Carnation Milk; Crown Willamette Paper; Diamond Match; Griffin Wheel; Liggett & Myers Tobacco; Natomas Co.; A Schilling & Co.; Shell Oil Co.; and Sun Maid Raisin.

1925: The Industrial Accident Commission notes that the healthy growth of the State Fund is “proof that the purpose for which the fund has been created has been carried out.”

1927: Clark B. Day announces Sept. 15 will be his last day as Manager. Replacing him is Charles B. Morris.

The State Legislature creates the Department of Industrial Relations to include the Division of Housing and Sanitation; Division of State Employment Agencies; Division of Labor Statistics and Law Enforcement; Division of Industrial Welfare; and the Division of Industrial Accidents and Safety.

1928: Frank Creede, our attorney-lobbyist, becomes manager Jan. 31. He is the first manager to come from within our organization.

1929: Assembly Bill 156 increases the maximum weekly indemnity payable to injured employees from $20.83 to $25. The Insurance Commission requires all carriers to increase by 4.1 percent their rates on all policies.

Black Tuesday hits Wall Street as the stock market crashes on Oct. 29, beginning America’s slide into the Great Depression. Manager Frank Creede issues a warning to employees: “The uncertainty as to the effect present economic conditions will have on business and payrolls during 1930 requires that some consideration be given to the possibility of unfavorable future conditions.”