The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-30
woRKNrEN,s OOsrPENsA1ToN.

Employers liability laws, along the
lines promulgated in the United
States-and no matter how excellent
statutes of this sort they may be
do not actually fill the bill in the
minds of many persons. They are
not comprehensive enough. The Ma
tional Civic Federation has recog-
nized this and has started a move
ment through one of it's important
committees to investigate this sub
ject and suggest a method by which
these laws can be amended with a
view to securing uniform provisions
looking toward adequate compensa-
ton for Industrial accidents.
In view of this fact it is most inter-
esting to learn what is being done In
other countries in this respect. Even
in Spain, q country which is not gen.
orally credited with being abreast of
the times but which has made rapid
strides in that direction during the
past decade, there is law providing
for workmen's compensation in case
of accidents which is far ahead as to
any of the states OF this country. Mr..
Hill. the United States consul-general
at Barcelona, has made an exhaustive
report to the bureau of manufactures
of the department of commerce and
labor on the system in vogue in Spain.
He says it works out most satisfactor-
fly and that the payment of indemn-
tiles is attended with very little htiga-
ton.
Under this Spanish law employers
are held responsible for accidents that
befall operatives in the exercise of
their work unless the accident is caus-
ed by some reason not connected with
the employment in which the laborer
is engaged. The industries covered
by this law are all kinds of industrial
estab lishments where other than hard
workers are employed; mines and
quarries; metallurgical works and
land and naval constructions; building
trades, including carpentry, masonry,
painting, etc.; manufactures of ex-
plosives or of noxious or dangerous
products; construction, preservation
and repair of railways, public high
ways, ports, canals, aqueducts, Gull
verts, etc; agricultural and forestry
in which other than hand power Is
used; lading and transportation on
land and water; cleaning streets, foul
wells and culverts, etc.; warehousing
of coal, wood, ETC.; theaters, includ-
ing salaried employees; fire brigades;
Establishments for the manufacture
of gas and electricity and placing and
repair of telephone lines; locating, re-
pairing and dismounting of electric
conductors and lightning rods; all en-
ployes engaged in lading and unlading
and all industries and labor similar to
those specified.
Employees have a right to fndemni-
fcation for partial or complete inca
pacity arising from injuries incurred.
In case Of temporary incapacity the
employer is compelled to pay an in
demnity equal to one-half the daily
wage. If after one year the incapacity
continues, in case incapacity is per-
the employer must pay to the
an amount equal to two
years salary; in case injury fs not
complete and the workman is able to
do light work, pay for only eighteen
salary. In case of temper
airy tncapacity the employer may give
the workman lighter work or a years
indemnity. The employer is also
liable for drugs and medicines. In case
of death, the employer is liable for bu-
rial expenses not to exceed SIS and
an indemnity to the widow and or
phan children or other relatives ac-
cording to a fixed scale. The consul
general says with respect to the effect
OF the act on prices and wages, that
the secretary of the association for
the encouragement of national indus
try says the payment of indemnities
has had no influence on wages paid
To-