The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-13
Report on Workmen's Com
penSation Legislation
Creates Interest
SAYS BILL DOES
NOT CALL FOR
OBLIGATORY INSURANCE
Chairman Sherman Explains
Provision of Bill Submitted
to National Civic FEEDER
alton and Endorses 1t

NEW YORK. Jan. 13,--With Col.
Theodore Roosevelt and Andrew Car
negie scheduled 10 present their views
ON the question of workmen's compen-
sation legislation of the National Civic
Federation. the reports of the laws
committee which has drafted a bill
TO meet the situation, was received
with great interest VIXEN the fedora
ton resumed it's meeting to-day. Be-
fore taking up the chief subject Of
the day, the federation discussed the
question OF uniform State taxation,
especially that OF an indirect char
acter. pure food. corporation regula~
ton and uniform banking laws
Half a dozen papers on each OF
these topics were read and discussed,
the delegates apparently agreeing that
the State banking laws should be
made uniform and modelled In part
along the lines OF the laws now in
fierce In this State.
sAerman Advocates BnI.
y. Tecumseh sherman, chairman OF
the legal committee Of the depart
snent on compensation for industrial
accidents and their prevention read a
five thousand-word explanation OF the
proposed law on this subject He
faid that the chief objection to the
proposed Law In orc of constitution
atty. Because OF this fact, he said.
the committee agreed that an at
tempt would be made to limit such
law at present to the so~ealled haz-
ardons occupations
The real constitutional danger we
face" said Mr.. Sherman. is that a
Law limited In It's application To the
more hazardous industries might be
held 10 offend against that other con-
atituttonal provision which forbids
unreasonable discrimination" be-
tween persons or CLASSES. Thus In
the more dangerous industries there
will be occupations which will tee
comparatively safe and in the safer
industries many occupations which are
comparatively dangerous. 1t ia be-
lieved. however. that a law based upon
the degree of danger. which should
apply to the former and not TO the
latter. would not nnreasonabiy dig
criminate against them.
Net Compulsory ASSURANCE.
The bill submitted to yen by your
committee contains the outlines and
essential provisions of a simple com
penaation law. without compulsory
insurance.
Those who have studied this sub
feet favor some legislation OF this
character. but the public is not yet
sufficiently educated to accept com
puisory insurance. The demand for
Immediate relief, however, ~ acute
only III the great dangerous Industries
and there 10 no pressing demand for
relief from the burden OF physical ac-
cidents from such classes or employees
~ clerks, photographers, domestic SER
wants. statesmen. etc.
"Our bin applies only To workm en-
earning less than $500 a year. and
IN case OF death or fatal injury the
workman's dependents are ~ receive
q lump sum equal to four years
wages. but never TO exceed $4,000. In
case OF on-tatal injury the workman
10 to receive weekly payments equal
10 one-hnif his wages or to one-half
the impairment OF his earnings dur
ing the period OF his disa Element, but
net 70 exceed ten dollars a week or TO
continue more than ten years in any
went. In addition the employer IS
compelled to furnish whatever medi-
cal and surgical services as shall be
necessary Immediately after the ac-
cidsnt. but MT TO cost more than
1900.
ITO those who view this movement
with alarm. l want To point out that
for twenty-five years the United
States has Jagged in the rear of civil
liEation. We must make move to-
ward compensation soon. Otherwise
We will continue. with ever~increas-
impetus. down the broad way OF
the employers liability laws. which
lead 70 social destruction