The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-02-07
PROPOSES COMPENSATION
FOR INJURED employees
Reyo'ulionlzes Existing System
Of Indemnity For Personal
Injuries
(By Associated Prcssl

Washington, d. c., Feb 7.-Onc
Of the most radical pieces of pro
posed legislation before the present
congress and one which heretofore
has not occupied much attention, is
now being given serious consideration
by the judiciary committee Of the
house, and Il hearing on It has been
ordee ed for February II, TO which
number of prominent railroad men OF
the country have been invited.
II is the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative SABBATH OF Illinois, which
would require all persons carrying
on occupations and trades subject 70
he regulatiye power OF congress-
including railroads, express compa
MES, and sleeping car companies, to
pay compensation On fixed basis TO
injured employees.
The legislation, If enacted, would
oyerturn the present employers la
biity law, and in fact, revolutionize
the existing system OF indemnity fol
personal injuries.
Defines Compensation.
The bill defines the amount OF com
| pensation TO be paid by employers to
employees in cases Of injury or death.
basing It upon the amount OF the
previous earning power OF the vic
i'm, and provided that IL shall be
paid in the form OF an annuity.
The bin Is based upon the laws OF
England and Germany. Such legis-
laiion was favored in one of the mes
sages of former President Roosevelt
and President Taft also Is said 10
have commented favorably upon II
MIR. SABBATH, the author of the bill
has been working on the idea for q
number Of years, and has carried on
general propaganda in Its fayor. He
announced at a recent hearing on his
bin that when Il was enacted inlt
aw, he was ready to retire from pub
&c life, satisfied with his achieve
ments.
The bill Is applicable to railroad
/ and steamship companies engaged II
) interstate commerce or foreign com
: merce and to any company engaged
r in any capacity in handling the mail
+. Of the United States Even the Uni
f, ted States government would b
r bound under its terms TO pay con
0 pensation to its employees In the pos
! al service injured or killed in tn
0 performance of their duties.
Paymen. for Loss.
In the event OF the death OF an en-
ploye as result OF injuries. emplo.
G ers would be required TO pay an al
,. nuity equalling 10 per cent Of his a
m. Inn n
?, ily or next OF kin Fifty pes cent
u the employees maximum MONTH
10 earnings would be paid in case OF 7
y tai disability, not exceeding 3
n months Beyond the lengths of tin
the injured employe would recei'
. twc-thirds Of the amount OF his ear
ings.
The measure goes into the mint
est detail in regulating the payne
, for Injuries. specifying how mu
shall be paid for the loss OF an eS
an arm, a finger, q oe, loss or J
OF pairment of sight, hearing or simil
w injury. and including medical. sur
cal and hospital treatment. The N
III OF toe Is fixed at per cent; I
J. loss of both yes az Is per cent;
ut loss OF the right hand at so per cer
ID. The bill would establish court
ar be known as the Federal commissl
of injury wards The court wo'
al consist Of three members, appoint
ng by the president, at salary OF s6t
,st a year, and would have full auth
ma ity TO inquire into and prosec'
in claims. and 10 employ necessary
ire sistants