Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-05

be greatly modified New York last year
enacted the two first carefully worked out
laws in this country and they being com
pensation measures relating to but eight
extra hazardous noncompetitve indus
industries. These laws closely resemble
the English act.
Illinois-'rhe governor is authorized to APP
point a committee of twelve citizens, repre-
senting employers and employees, to study
industrial accidents and methods Of COM
pensation; appropriation TO cover expenses
Massachusetts, - The governor is su-
thorized to appoint a commission OF five
citizens to study the subject of employers
liability and TO draft a bill for the com
pensation of injured employees; appropria-
tion to cover expenses.
New Jersey-The governor is authorized
to appoint a commission consisting of two
representatives OF LABOR. two employers,
one senator and one representative, TO re-
port bill covering compensation to in
jured workmen; expenses allowed.
New York-Additlonal power and extern
sion given the commission appointed in
! 1909.
ohio-The governor is directed to appoint
commission of five, two electors, two
representing employers and one attorney at
law to report bills on compensation for
Industrial accidents; expenses allowed.
These commissions are acting in con-
junction with the employers and the labor
unions. and New York, Illinois and Ore
gon have already enacted their laws
A state like Illinois, where coal mining
is carried on 50 extensively, would re-
auire a law different from state like
Minnesota. where the lumber industry is
such a large factor. The commissions in
vestigate conditions and occupations in
their respective states and after laws are
drafted, they are submitted TO the labor
unions and the public for suggestions,
changes and alterations, before being com
pleted and turned over TO the legislatures
for passage. The laws recommended vary
somewhat, but in amounts Of indemnity
are almost alike.
! In Massachusetts,, for loss Of life OF
workman, dependents wholly dependent
shall receive one-half the average wages
OF deceased for three hundred weeks. A
wife. or husband, or children under IS
years. shall be presumed to be wholly de-
pendant.
New York and Iowa loss OF life is com
pensated by payment OF twelve hundred
times the daily wage.
] II deceased has no dependents the last
sickness and funeral expenses, not to eX-
coed 500 are paid by employer In Mas
sachusetts; while In New York and Iowa,
this expense shall not exceed 500. In case
OF permanent incapaclty. payment TO be
One-haf wages for three hundred weeks IN
nearly all Of the laws so far drafted Par
tial payments are made for partial dis
ability, etc. Controversies under these acts
to be settled by arbitration. and the work
mans claim shall be preferential lier
against the employer, Prior 20 a few
months ago, much was said regarding the
constitutionality OF such law. The New
York law enacted last year has been ruled
upon recently, and was held to be eonsti
tUtiona.
l would suggest ana earnestly hope ina
the present legislature will create a com
mission 10 inveFugate conditions IN Ne
braska and report 20 the legislature OF thu
state on the first day OF the isgialativ,
session Of 1918. btu 10 fairly oompenHat,
employees for injuries received in the COURSE
OF employment.
The COMMITTEES. 20 be known az tho "Se
hraska Workmsn's Compensation commits
sion" and the same 10 be composed OF no
leas than three or more than five members