The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-11-28

The Michigan Manufacturers asso-
citation announces, in a pamphlet it
has sent broadcast throughout the
state, that public conference will be
held at the Hotel Pontchartrain, at
Detroit on Wednesday of this week,
to consider the matter of presenting
To the legislature, which is TO meet on
Jan. l. bill providing for some form
Of workmens compensation. 1t states
that an attendance of several prom
inent students of this question is as
sured.
There is widespread interest in
michigan in this subject and it is gen.
orally expected that a compensation
act will be passed by the next lcgis-
lature. In the recent campaign both
the Republican and Democratic par
ties came out strongly in favor of leg
! islation Of this kind and many candi-
dates for the legislature made it one
Of the most important planks i'm their
| platforms. Governor Elect Osborn is
known to be in favor of it, and the
press and bar of the state have given
the subject considerable attention and
study. There seems to be general
agreement as to the necessity of
such legislation, the only question re-
naming being the kind of act most
acceptable and desirable.
In its pamphlet on the subject the
Manufacturers association provides
an outline for discussion, and gives as
a text the New York law and preim-
mary reports Of the Wisconsin and
Minnesota commissions. 1t also re-
fers to the compensation laws Of for
eign countries. on the whole il is an
unbiased. thorough arrangement OF
facts. and it is apparent that at this
weeks conference at Detroit the ques-
ton will be given careful considera-
| ton.
The pamphlet says, in part:
| The common law system for re-
covery of damages for negligent injur-
les as worked out by our courts and
iuries, insofar as il relates TO en-
ployers and employees has been Sc
verely attacked Not only have the
rules Of law. above adverted to. the
Assumption of Risk doctrine, the Eel
low Servant rule, and the Contributory
Negligence rule been sharply criticised
but the practical working of the sys-
TEN has been justly condemned.
There can be no doubt but thai
thousands OF men are now injured in
factories, mills and on railroads un-
. -fr ct NH
gally entitle them 10 a recovery. bu
which on the other hand do not seen
10 justify loading the entire respon.
sibility on the injured Wherever
therefore. risk arises which ma,
be said to be peculiar 10 the industr,
it would seem reasonable that the in
dustry should bear it. That this ma,
so burden the industry as to react OF
the employer and the employee 4
a result that cannot be entirel.
avoided.
, other results Of the present system
! are the burdensome litigation, tn
, multiplicity OF trials, the division o
2 damages with attorneys. the protract
! ed settlements, the heavy expense Z
taxpayers, the hostility between EN-
ployers and employees the invitation I
= perjury and fraud,-all important fac
Z tors in the problem.
] Several attempts have been made I
] Michigan TO modify the present sys
TEN. In the legislature of 1907, IN
D Baillie Law. which had modified IN
/ rule OF damages in case OF death. wa
repealed. IL was the subject of actiy
4 interest on the part OF the Governo
J, md was a political issue in the cam
e paign OF the preceding year.
= In the Legislature Of 1909. the Raj
: road Liability Law was passed and
h bill abrogating the Fellow Servai
y doctrine was only defeated by a nal
row margin. The same was true OF