Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1910-09-27
WHAT INJURY CLAIMS
COST TEXAS FARMER
DR.. WILMoT MAKES NOVEL ARGU.
MENT FOR LEGISLATION.
Compulsory Settlement of Such Claims
Against Railroads Would Save
Half Million Annually.

Austin, Texas, Sept. 27.-Dr. f. L.
Wilmot, president of the Austin Ma.
tional bank. which institution handles
what Is perhaps the largest amount
of cotton paper" handled by any
interior" bank in Texas, gave out
/ the following interview:
/ 1T Is my understanding that during
the regular session of the Thirty-sec-
ond legislature a bill will be intro
duced providing for the compulsory
settlement of personal injury claims
under given scale of schedules Such
a proposition should merit the serious
consideration of every producing man
in the state: the farmers should espe-
cially give it their closest attention
Under the existing order of things
there are marked inequalities in tn,
handling of personal injury suits and
claims. Some counties give verdicts
that in comparison with other coun
ties are excessive; while other coun-
ties return verdicts that in compari-
son with the geenral average are too
low. 1t is scheme that should chal-
lenge the attention of thoughtful men
to secure general average for all
Texas, thereby distributing justice, in.
stead of encouraging determinations
"The official figures for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1900. the latest
figures available, show the gross per
centage of the total income of all rail
roads paid out for personal injuries
runs from 5.45S per cent down to .00l
per cent, the general average for the
state being 2.42S per cent. Broadly
speaking, this is 2 IL per cent of the
total income of railroads of Texas
paid for personal injuries the amount
being distributed in manner that is
far from equal, owing to the divergent
conditions prevailing in Texas.
BY far the greater percentage of
the income of Texas railroads. is got.
ten from farmers. The average cotton
crop of Texas hauled the maximum
distance above the common mileage
point is about 100000 bales per year.
Multiply 100000 bales by 500
pounds each, and we have 100000
600 pounds of cotton shipped an
nually. At II cents per 100 pounds,
the average earning gross of railroads
on 3,500,000 bales is 1886 a bale. BY
following this same line of thought
we find that l2 per cent, the amount
of the total gross revenue that goes
out for the payment of personal in
juries, every bale of cotton contrib
utes cents ga mills.
Eliminating fractions, and say that
every bale contributes but 6 cents per
bale, how will the passage of a com
pulsory compensation law alleviate
the situation? 1t is not wild esti-
mate to figure that of the 6 cents per
bale that every raiser of cotton con-
tributes not less than cents per bale
goes to the lawyers bringing the suits
and to court costs.
"Now. then, follow closely. The to-
tai amount paid out during the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1909, for per-
sonal injuries was $2,1S3,92911, OF
which amount, on the basis of 3,50O,-
900 bale crop at cents per bale, the
cotton raisers of Texas contributed
$210000. Now, suppose the cOmpul-
sorry compensation act passes and 2
cents per bale is eliminated, the cot
ton raisers of Texas on the same
basis would save in the aggregate on
this cents per bale the sum of $70,-
000 that now goes for court costs and
incidentals. Not only this every ship
per of grain, dry goods and clothing
in Texas would make a like proper
tionate saving, aggregating total of
$545, 9S1.55 a year on the basis that
one-fourth of the total does not go to
the persons injured.
This reminds me of the story of
the son of Erin who was struck OR
the head by a falling brick. Pat sued
the contractor and got a judgment for
5000 for the injuries sustained When
the money was paid Pats lawyer. the
lawyer gave Pat 800 of the amount.
Where's the ither $100?' asked
Pat.
That's my fee, replied the law
yer
'Begorra,' said Pat, and voie y
hit on the head, too?
81 have no interest in this matter
save the interest of citizen of Texas
and a friend of the farmer. If we can
find a way to save an enormous sum
yearly, we certainly ought to look the
way we are drifting ANY plan that
reduces the cost to the producer will
in the natural order of things profit
the producer. If we can save oyer
100000 a year by a readjustment OF
our methods in handling personal in
jury payments and at the same time
do exact justice in the same amounts
to those injured as is now the case,
we ought to embrace the opportunity
at hand"