The Calumet news., 1910-12-16
Employers and Industrial Organ
izations Interested in Measure
and a Bill is Being
Drafted
SCALE OF PAYMENTS PROVIDED
Much Study is Being Put on Proposed
Law and 1t Will be One of Most
Important Legislature Will
Consider.

islation of Importance To the state is
proposed for the coming session, but
none so directly affects the great in
dustrial interests as the workingmen's
compensation act which Governor
elect Osborn has announced he Will
recommend and which is being consid-
cred by various industrial organiza-
tions with a view of framing law
which will be equable and just
Michigan employers are taking a
direct interest in this matter and will
have before the legislature, IL Is un-
derstood, several suggestions as to the
terms of the proposed legislation. The
Michigan Manufacturers association
is giving much attention TO this mat
ter and representatives of the associa-
tion have under advisement a tenta-
tive outline of bill which when COM
pleted will undoubtedly be backed by
that strong organization in the legis-
lature.
Principal of the provisions under
consideration is that relative to the
sum to be paid. Roughly, it is pro-
posed that in case of death wholly de-
pendent parents, widow or children OF
the employe shall receive 1,2OO times
the daily wage of the employe at the
time of the accident causing his death
I'm no case to exceed $4,000.
In case where the relatives are not
wholly dependent upon the earnings
of the employe. then reasonable and
proportionate sum.
When there are no dependent rela-
tives then the cost of medical atten-
dance and burial of the decedent are
to be paid to the amount of 800.
In case of injury incapacitating the
employe, he will receive during his
incapacity so per cent per week of
his average weekly earnings for the
year previous. in no case to exceed
$40 a week, and for a period not ex-
ceeding s years. In case the employe
has worked less than a year pro-
portionate amount based upon the
period he has been in the employ OF
the firm or person.
What the Title Says.
The draft of the proposed act con-
tains the following phrases in it's title:
"An act to promote the general health
and welfare OF the people of this state
by providing compensation for acci-
dental injuries or death of employees
caused i'm the course of their employ
ment"
1t is announced that the employer:
to be included under the act are al
persons firms or corporations engaged
in transactng any manufacturing
mining, building, construction o
transportation business. In order L
come under the provisions of the ac
employers and employees must signif!
their intention by serving notice oi
the state commissioner of labor ant
by posting notices in their places o
business. All classes of employees ar
included except those employed in
clerical capacity. Those who have tn
bill in charge have consulted the act
passed in New York, Illinois. Mime
sofa and Wisconsin and copied por
ton of similar statutes in other states
Once the system has been adopte
employers and employees must submit
any differences arising relative I
compensation. to a board of arbitra
tion rather than to courts, and II
proposed To set aside actions at com
mon law and under the statutes 70
damages.
Before the bill is finally complete
number of prominent attorneys an
laWnukeTS VIII De Cdlltu upon W On
anime it's provisions and some change
may be made in the provisions.
r The entire matter is one which ha
: received careful study in a number {
= states, some of which have had com
missions at work for number
I years preparing data for use in draft
e ing such legislation. Some experts hay
!, made the claim that this radical In
novation in the relations between en-
ployers and employees. will result
= an increase i'm the cost of productio
4 of about per cent while others clail
: that there viii be no increase i'm cot
D owing to eradication of the multitud
{ of damage cases which are befol
D every court i'm the land for comper
n sation for injuries which employ'
E have sustained i'm their daily labor
IL is well known that employers hay
: i'm many instances come to the col
clusion that some plan OF this kir
should be worked out. II Is expectS
that employers will continue to insu
their employees against injury. but III
on a new basis which will require Il
indemnity cvompanies to revise the
rates. and perhaps lead TO further lei
islation of similar character 10 car
out the plan along broad lines.