The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-09
BENEFITS for Working Men.

Considerable agitation is now be-
ing carried on in many of the states on
the question of workmens compensation.
The convention of the United Mine Work
ers OF America. which convenes In Colum
bus. o.. on January II, will recommend
the enactment Of national act covering
the question. The measure as proposed
Will provide, in brief, for the establish
ment OF a fund 10 be collected and ad-
ministered by the federal government.
against all industries. In the meantime
the Minnesota Accident Compensation
commission has about completed It's draft
for compensation. The bill does away
sence. fellow servant and assumption OF
risk. II is proposed TO require the EN-
ployee TO bear portion OF the cost
through A small tax somewhat similar to
the hospital tax which the railroads have
used. The labor unions OF Minneapolis
are reported to be against this feature OF
the bill and Will fight the whole measure
bitterly II this clause is Incorporated
Employers on the other hand. claim that
unless they can get the assistance OF
tax upon the workmen they win be under
n hardship in competition with industries
of other states During the course OF the
various recent hearings in Washington
on the subject OF workmeDs s compensa-
tion insurance there were many present
who advocated the adoption in this coun-
try OF the German system. Their aTgu-
ments called attention TO various fea-
lures of the Germnn system which pro-
rides indemnity for accidents and old
system for the latter purposes Is very
extensive. IL was first put into opera
ton in 1889 and further legislation was
ena cted in 1891. In 1899 Il new act was
passed materially changing the old in
surancc act Old age insurance SIS now
provided Is a part OF the extensive Ger
ness. accident and invalidity as well as
old age The German insurance laws were
originally enacted on account of the so
csalistic agitation which began in Ger
many in 1863. Bismarck at that time
began a policy of social reform which was
destined TO allay the discomfort OF the
working classes. The particular feature
OF this policy was the very extensive sys-
TEN OF workinCmen's insurance initiated
by the sickness Insurance act of 1888
followed by the accident Insurance law
OF 1884 and further completed by the old
age and invalidity insurance act OF 1929
The employer is held responsible for the
insurance OF all wotkmen employed by
him and for the premiums, being author
lied to deduct the workmans share from
his wages. The number insured under
the law ut the present time is about IA,
900. 600, out of a total population of over
CO. 600, All persons over the age OF
II are obliged 20 insure and the old age
pension is granted ut the end OF the
seveDtieth year. without proof OF dis
ability. provided the insured has paid
weekly contributions for ZOO weeks. The
fixed sum OF s1l.90 per annum. In sd-
dillon 10 this the government pays the
expense of tho imperial insurance depart
ment and OF the payment OF pensions
through the postoffice. The Massa-
ohusetts legislature appointed a commits
sion TO investigate the Gerrnan system
and tho report as submitted contains
much Of interest regarding this most i'm
portant subject.
Garry Large Amount of Insurance,
The Spectator company of New York
has published the twelfth edition OF
Prominent Patrons of Life Insurance.
containing the names OF about 5000 per-
sons In the United States and Canada
who are insured in amounts varying from
sal. 900 TO $4,000. 900. Every name in the
publication Is said 10 have passed under
the scrutiny of the Individual himself or
of one or more HE agents in the place
OF his residence, and returned TO the
publishers approved, The names are ar
ranged In geographical order. tho pub
fishers having divided the territory into
four divisions. namely. New England and
Canads middle states. southern states
and western statos the purpose being To
give the various lists OF the different
states in such shape To be readily