Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-29
Employers Liability Bill

Charles Adkins. speaker of the ILL
nois house of representatives has ad-
dressed the following communication
to The Argus:
The people of Illinois are we'll ad
vised on the general merits of nearlt
every important measure now before
the general assembly - corrupt prac-
tiCe, civil service, initiative and refer
endum. antipass, deep waterway, re-
venue revision, primary election, pub
lie utility-the main features of all are
generally known.
In my judgement one of the most i'm
portant questions, employers liability,
or the wOrkingmen's compensation sub
ject, has been given very little atten-
ton by the press, and You editors are
the most potent force in the world to-
day. l hope you can do something
toward enlightening your readers on
this question so vital to the men who
labor with their hands.
1t has vexed the general assembly
for years in one form or another, and
a solution is printed this year that, in
my opinion, should be adopted In
stead of fighting the reasonable re-
quests of labor the employer is meet
ing the employe more than half way,
and is conceding more in the compro-
mise than | believed he ever would
concede.
House bill 80 and senate bill II are
the same measures, it proposes to hold
liable for all personal accidents, allow
ing no insignificant notifications for
defense in court, every employer of la
Dor. with one hand" to the greatest
steel mill, railroad system or factory.
One serious or fatal accident to an en-
ploye of farmer, or small merchant,
would bankrupt the latter. substi-
tute to this bill has been returned the
house and senate which exempts far
mers from the operations of this bill.
The railroad brotherhoods and the
Chicago federation of labor have join
ed hands in the demand for an en-
ployers' liability bill affecting hazard
Gus occupations by abolishing all the
defenses the employer now offers.
when sued in court for death or in
jury TO an employee Lawyers tell me
that the railroad men are protected
now by a provision in the interstate
commerce law, and that they usually |
bring suits for injuries in the federal /.
court. Their demand means that the F!
skilled railroad shall be placed before (
the court in suits against railroads on /
the same footing as passengers on /
their trains, who are not skilled in |
railroad business, and under no obli-
cations whatever 10 protect themselves
or the railroad companies against ac-
cidents.
orotherhoods have life and accident
insurance companies of their own and
hat the death benefit limit is 81 500.
The workingmen's compensation act
senate bill 2S3 and house bill 305D
( is my firm belief, furnishes an ade-
luate, inexpensive, certain and quick
-emedy for protecting every employe |
n a hazardous occupation. The two
bills are Identical The measure is
upon the employer and ap-
1lies 10 railroads. coal mines and every
hazardous employment and occupa ion
I is not compulsory upon the employe
II his beneficiary. who may waive its
'rcvisions and fight for his rights in
he courts II the employer did not pro
ide safety regulations specified by
aw
II operates with the assistance or
lindFance of courts or lawyers, being