The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-19
HAS COMMEMORATE
COMPENSATION ACT
Wisconsin Legislature Passes Law
After Years Of Study
By Experts.

MADISON. Wis, June 19.--In years
gone by when Wisconsin employers
have paid damages for the injury or
death OF their workmen the injured
man or his widow and orphans have
only received $3.50 out OF every $500
so paid. The lawyers and judges and
court costs consumed the other S64O.
The discovery OF this enormous
waste was a revelation to the employ
ers OF the state and TO the working
people, as well as TO the legislature.
The discovery came as q result OF
years OF study and work. For two
years a special legislative committee
has studied workmen's compensation
In this country and abroad and the
present legislature has passed COM
pensation law.
The new law creates, for Its own
admini..ration, an industrial commits
sion OF three men. The new commits
sion Is composed of Charles IA.
Crownhart. chairman, and j. d. Beck
and John n, Commons.
How nicely balanced this body Is
expected TO be can be seen from the
fact that Crownhart has long been at
torney for the big bridge and steel
companies around Superior and Du-
luth. and consequently has viewed In
dustrial problems from the employers
point OF view. Beck has long been the
state labor commissioner and hence
looks through the eyes. Of the en-
ployes, while Prof. Commons Is an
economist of national repute and his
point OF view Is that OF the man OF
science.
The new Wisconsin law is unique.
To begin with, II Is optional for the
employer. He may. IL he chooses,
stand on his former legal rights and,
in case of an accident to an employee,
defend a suit for damages, may do so
according to his inclination. The en-
ployer who desires to come under the
law and pay the rates has but 10 make
such an announcement TO the commits
sion.
The largest corporations In the
state are coming under the law.
Among the first to come were the
Northwestern and St Paul railroads.
This Wisconsin workmen's compen-
sation act absolutely destroys the
doctrine of assumption OF risk and the
fellow servant idea Under the Wis
consin act the employer must pro-
vide medical and surgical treatment
for 80 days. Ii also provides, where
there Is total disability, for the pay
ment of IS per cent of the average
weekly earnings during the period OF
such total disability. But no wages
tess than 1915 per year shalt be COLI
sidered, nor more than $3.50.
II an employe is killed instantly in
an accident his dependents receive
sum equal TO four times his annual
wages. but not less than 81 800 nor
more than $4,000. II there are no de-
pendants the death benefit is simply
reasonable expenses of burial, not ex-
ceeding 500.
Following the German law, the Wis
consin act. provides for workmen who
are particularly incapacitated, but
who are still able to earn something !
These employees are given So per cent !
OF the difference between former and
present earnings. This Is limited 10
Is years.
The workmens compensation law Is
but one phase OF a legislative pro.
gram which has been mapped out in !
Wisconsin. The next step will prob |
ably be state insurance, which IL
pending before the legislature. II it
goes through, people In Wisconsin
VIII get llsuIhuCt NJ CObt Ill not
less than $500 and not exceeding
$4,000 An annuity arrangement Is
proposed whereby persons may pay n
certain fee into the state treasury,
and at the age Of So receive therear
ter an annuity of $500 from the state
Where VIII You Go This SUMMER
II you desire rest and recreation,
why not try
1.-THE River ST. Lawrence TrIp3"
Folders descriptive of the Thousand
Islands, Rapids. Montreal, Quebec.
Murray Bay. Tadousac, the far famed
Saguenay River, ETC., on application
to any Railway or Steamboat Ticket
Agent.
For illustrated guide. "NIaaara to
the Sea-" send &c. In postage stamps
TO II. Foster Chaffee. A. @. p. A, To-
ronto. r. & o. Navigation Co.
SHE SINGS SONGS IN
SING.SING SKIRT