River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-10-26
Would Halt Accidents.

| COuSlIl~ 10 cut uOWu the appalling uuLu
Der of farm accidents caused by corn
shredding and husking machines. The
commission is charged by law with
the duty of enforcing the statute
which requires that all shredders and
huskers shall be guarded. Guards fol-
these machines are simple and mex
pensiVe and the commission is adyis-
ing farmers as to the proper method
of building them.
The hazard to life and limb, which
has become greater each year with
| increasing use of shredders, is be-
J coming a serious problem. Don D.
/ Lescohier of Minnesota, in recent
issue of the Survey, has this to say
on the subject:
Sixteen fatal accidents, two more
/ likely to result in death, So serious
injuries, and 80 severe ones-a total
| of 1875 accidents-Were reported from
Minnesota's agriculture during the
past 20 months, 80 of them, including
four fatalities, in the last eight
months. Forty-one per cent. Of the &C
cidents occurred on corn shredders,
which are the most dangerous agri-
cultural machines in use in the north
west"
The Wisconsin legislature in 1911
passed law placing heavy pen
atty upon owners of unguarded corn
shredders. These owners not only
may be fined but in addition they are
denied the defense of contributory
negligence in case of a lawsuit grow
ing out of an injury to an employe
This means that, no matter if the in
jured person was careless he can get
damages from his employer fer in
jury.
Under the law it is the duty II
every person using corn shredding OF
husking machine, to equip the ma
chine with safety or automatic feed
ing devices for protection from ac-
cident by the swapping rollers, husk-
ing rollers and shredding knives.
1t is the duty of the industrial com
mission to enforce this law. The pen
atty is $25 to 500 for each offense.
Asks Ruling on State Highway Law.
Attorney General Bancroft must de-
eide whether Milwaukee county may
receive state aid under the new good
roads law if it improves the GAINESVILLE
plank road with a stone surface more
than eighteen feet wide. The law pro-
vides for only an eighteenfoot road
way, but City Treasurer G. B. Whit
nall, Assistant District Attorney
Krebbs, former Assemblyman Esta-
brook, County Highway Commissioner
Kuelling, and members of the commit
tee on roads and bridges of the Mil
waukee county board Of supervisors
came out from the Cream City and
put the question up to the state high
way commission. 1t, in turn, called
upon the attorney general for an opin-
ion. The county board wants the state
aid for one-tkird Of the cost of the
betterment, but desires to make the
roadway wider than is provided for in
the law.
Justice r. D. Marshall also was be-
fore the commission relative to road
question from the town of Delton,
Sank county, whether the state would
pay one-third the cost of Improvement
if the town issued bonds for the same
covering a period of several years.
Urge Fight on All Diseases.
That the Wisconsin Anti-Tubercu-
losis association should retain it's
name, but that it should extend the
scope of it's work in a campaign
against all malignant disease, includ-
ing the black plague, was the theme
of speakers on the affirmative side of
the debate on Shall the Wisconsin
Anti-Tuberculosis association broaden
it's scope so as to embrace all prevent
able diseases?" in Ethical hall, Mil
waukee. The debate was held under
the joint auspices of the anti-tubercu-
losis association and the Wisconsin
Conference of Charities and Correc-
tions.
DR.. c. A. Harper led for the mega
tive, and DR.. T. L. Harrington opened
for the affirmative. There was. but
little disagreement, it having been the
sentiment, however, that the name
ought not be changed.
Or. John NJ Beffel urged that the
broader work be done through the
tuberculosis problem. But" he said,
before anything strong can be done
we will have to reorganize the whole
problem of public health in Wiscon-
sin"
Or. Harrington urged that the state
board of health take up the black
plague problem and entered a plea for
instruction regarding the dangers Of
the social evil. He Joined other speak
ers ID criticising inefficient health
officers, OF which he said there were
many.
Following are the of1cvrt, elected by
the anti-tuberculosis association:
President, Prof. M. P. Ravenel, Mad
ison; first vice-president, DR.. G..
Windesheim, Kenosha; second vice
president. Prof Louis E. Reber, Mad
ison; Dr. NJ P. Ravenel DR.. L. E.
Feber, DR.. w. D. Frost, DR.. c. A. Har-
per, DR.. E. Evans, Dr.. g. Windesheim,
DR.. ]. w. Coon, DR.. Brockway, DR.. G.
A Baer, ]. H. Kopmeier, DR.. G. E.
| Seaman, DR.. ]. ]. McGovern, DR.. T. L.
| Harrington, DR.. ]. M. Beffel and James
Kirkpatrick, directors; DR.. Hoyt E.
DearhOlt, executive secretary, and
| Chalmer B. Traver, assistant.