Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-03

passage THIS Is tns iafgesr sroJsr
Of legislation for the session
I IL provides for the creation Of an
Industrial Insurance Commission Of
Wisconsin, !" 10 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 a general knowledge OF industrial
insurance. The salary Of each is 5000
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
az employer 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, but
makes 1t possible for any person in
1ured to receive compensation in some
form, regardless of the negligence of
himself or the employer. In a word
# 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 So for
each person employed.
How to Get Certificate.
The employer may obtain 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
rumber Of recognized Industrial insur-
snce companies, approved by the COM
mission
Third, he can take out industrial in
sIrauce in reputable insurance COM
panles for his employees.
Fourth. he can pay a 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.
IL tbn aryeplnuap ocy,+ rfbutae e.
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 a part of his
wages also, in case of accident this en-
ploye is entitled to a 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
surauce to be paid regulated accord
ingly The rates shall be practically
the same as paid to industrial acct
dent insurance companies, and shall
neyr exceed the rate by % per cent.
UnLar the Single benefit" clause, In
case Of accident the state fund pays
first medical and. and in case OF
death funeral expense not 10 ex-
coed 800 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.
II the person injured is wholly in
Capaeitated ne 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 liz the case of death
If no one is dependent upon him, the
funeral expenses are paid only
Degree of lneapacity.
If the person injured Is only par
TALLY incapacitated. after the second
week. he shall receive one half of his
vases 70" 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 10 to the possible durability
Of he in,apacity. he waves his rights
TO aid Of the state fund. If the em-
ploTe has been paying into the state
fund with Tho employer, he shall re-
ceiye do0hla the amount stipulated I'M
DIV he siasl2 benefits above mention
cd Qa soas OF dispute as the ma
ture Of the Incident and its durability
are 10 he settled by local board o,
arbitration appointed by the industrial
commission Aa appeal from the de-
cision of Inc local hoard may be taken
10 thg Industrial commission.
THE dAnee.ous industries enumer-
sted in the Law are: railroad transpor-
taJon working on buildings over
thirty fee, high; quarries, factories
where ne work Is clearly hazardous.
shipha.idns lake transportation, sew
agecoatraEt work. employment on cleo
trio railways. eas companies dredging
and other industries or occupations,