The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-02-05
Ing the settlement of the senatorial
controversy.
Bills of Importance.

UoFeIHOf DAVIDSON IN MS message VIII
be introduced this week by Senator
Brazeau. They relate to industrial in
surance.
One provides for compulsory insur-
ance of all employees and the other
makes it optional, the same as the bill
recently defeated in Illinois. The fist
plan is far the more important and Il
the one which will doubtless be Ca-
veloped, enlarged upon and urged or
passage. This is the largest subject
| or 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 physician and surgeon, the
second shall be an attorney of recog-
nized ability and the third man shall
have general knowledge of Industrial
insurance. The salary of each is $4,000
| annually
What Employers Must Do.
The phases of general legal organi-
zation of the commission are similar
| to those of the railroad commission OF
Wisconsin. 1t makes it compulsory for
an employee. engaged in dangerous
| industry to obtain a certificate of the
commission, and pay a certain amount
to the funds In return it insureS him
| against damage suits for accidents, hui
makes it possible for any person in
| jured to receive compensation in some
form, regardless of the negligence of
himself or the employer. In a 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 certificate to safeguard him and
| his employees against accidents Fail
ure to obtain certificate subjects the
employer to an annual fine of SIS for
each person employed.
How to Get Certificate
The employer may obtain a certif-
| 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
Second, he may be member of any
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 a certain stipu-
| lated amount for each person employed
| into a 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
single benefit" If the employe
| chooses to contribute 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 heiis 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 Is 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 $100 If there is widow, or
| persons wholly dependent upon the de-
| ceased, they shall receive a 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. Ia the case OF death
if no one is dependent upon him, the
| funeral expenses are paid only
Degree of lncapacity.
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
4 and refused to have physician ex-
anime him as to the possible durability
of the incapacity, he waves his rights
/ to aid of the state fund. If the en-
! ploye has been paying into the state
xrr;4I + ,o ho c1oH re-