Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-02-03
ing the settlement of the senatorial
controversy.
Fills Of IronnorfantA

Two bills Of the largest Importance
and whose ideas are strongly urged Ivy
Governor Davidson in his message viii
be introduced this week by Senator
Brazeau. They relate to industrial in
surance.
One provides for compulsory fnsur-
ance OF all employees and the other
makes it optional, the same as the bill
recently defeated in Illinois. The first
plan IS far the more important and is
the one which will doubtless be de-
veloped, enlarged upon and urged for
passage. This is the largest subject
of legislation for the session.
1t provides for the creation of an
Industrial Insurance Commission Of
Wisconsin" to be composed of three
members appointed by the governor
and confirmed by the senate. One
shall be a physician and surgeon, the
second shall be an attorney of recog-
nized ability and the third man shall
have a general knowledge of industrial
insurance. The salary Of each is $4,000
annually.
What Employers Must Do.
The phases Of general legal organi-
cation Of the commission are similar
to those of the railroad commission of
Wisconsin. It makes it compulsory for
an employer engaged in a dangerous
industry to obtain a certificate Of the
commission, and pay a certain amount
to the funds. Tn return it insures him
against damage suits for accidents, but
makes it possible for any person in
jured to receive compensation in some
form, regardless of the negligence of
himself or the employer. In word
it practically wipes the subject Of con-
tributory negligence off the statute
books Of the state.
Any employer engaged in a danger
GUS or hazardous occupation named in
the act and to be supplemented by the
knowledge and rules of the commits
sion, must apply to the commission
for a certificate to safeguard him and
his employees against accidents. Fail
ure to obtain certificate subjects the
employer to an annual fine Of S. for
each person employed.
How to Get Certificate.
The employer may obtain a certif1-
cate from the commission by agreeing
to one Of four requirements:
First, any employer of more than
1000 men may establish his own fund
to pay for industrial accidents in his
own plant. His system must receive
the approval of the commission, how
ever.
CooOnd he NOV bo n M orobor Of opu
number of recognized Industrial insur-
ance companies. approved by the com
mission.
Third, he can take out industrial in
surance in reputable insurance com
panies for his employees.
Fourth, he can pay certain stipu-
lated amount for each person employed
into state fund, that will make pay
ments for all accidents and deaths oc-
casioned by accident in his plant.
If the employer contributes alone to
the fund of the state in proportion to
the number of persons employed, in
case of accident the person will receive
'tsingle benefit" If the employee
chooses to contribute a part of his
wages also, in case of accident this en-
ploye is entitled to double benefit"
which is practically double the amount
paid in case he is injured and only the
employer has contributed to the state
Industrial insurance fund
Rates of Insurance.
The occupations are to be classified
by the commission and the rates Of in
surance to be paid regulated accord
ingly. The rates shall be practically
the same as paid to industrial acct
dent insurance companies, and shall
never exceed the rate by % per cent.
Under the 'single benefit" clause, in
case of accident the state fund pays
first medical and, and in case of
death funeral expense not to ex-
coed 500. If there is a widow or
persons wholly dependent upon the de-
ceased, they shall receive sum pay
able monthly for period Of five years,
not to exceed one-half of the wages of
the deceased employee. The county
judge shall have the power, however,
to order the complete payment of the
whole sum at one time. This clause
is to permit the payment of mortgages
on homes.
If the person injured is wholly in
capacitated he shall receive a GER
tain portion of his regular wages, to
be determined by the commission, in
proportion to those dependent upon
him for support. In the case of death
if no one is dependent upon him, the
funeral expenses are paid only.
Degree of Incapacity.
If the person injured is only par
TALLY incapacitated, after the second
week, he shall receive one half Of his
wages for a period not to exceed two
years The commission is given con
siderable latitude of powers to deter
mine upon the degree Of incapacity"
Should the person employed be injured
and refused to have a physician ex-
anime him as to the possible durability