The Calumet news., 1912-02-20
COMPENSATION
FOR employees

(Continued from Page One.)
capitalized at per cent, the commits
sion points out that the total received
by the benehciaries would reach an ag-
gregate of $15.OO0.OOO annually. 1t
points out that for every dollar the
railroad companies are compelled to
To pay under existing law they viii
under the proposed law pay approx
mately S1.25, and that for every dollar
the employees and their dependents
now receive they would receive a sum
very much in excess of $1.25. 1t says
that during 1905 1909 and 1910 the
railroads paid S14.5O0.OO0 in settlements
and judgments alone on account of the
death of nearly 1900 workers and
$21, ,SS3, 900 approximately FOR perma-
nent or temporary disabling injuries,
as well as sustaining an economic loss
of 161, ,654, 900 days
The proposed bill declares that It is
the policy Of congress to consider the
burden of payments for personal in
juries as an element Of the cost of
| transportation and directs the Inter-
state Commerce Commission to recogn-
lze ana give effect to this policy.
AboIshes Existing Laws.
The bill would pEo,ide that every
common carrier ensaged In interstate
or foreign commerce by railroad shall
pay compensation to any cmployc who
sustains personal INJURY in line of duty
or to his dependents i'm ease of his
death It makes the remedy exclusive
by reason Of the compensation being
complete satisfaction. IL abolishes all
existing common law and statutory
remedies, and applies to all railroads
in the District Of Columbia as well.
II would exclude from compensation
the first fourteen calendar days. eX-
cept that the employer is To furnish
all necessary medical and surgical aid,
including hospital services, and is to
continue to SO furnish after the four
teen days under specific provisions.
The elnploye or his dependent must
notify the employer of the accident
within thirty days, except under Ger
tain contingencies which extend the
limit to ninety days After the four
teen day period following the injury
employer and cmploye are to agree in
writing on settlement arbitration
committees may be organized by them
TO settle disputes and award compen-
sation. subject to review within two
years an "adjuster Of accident insur-
ance" to be appointed by each United
states District Court for four year
terms ut from $500 to $4,000 annual
~.
Method of Operation.
Either party may petition the adj
juster TO proceed. The adjuster is to
report his finding TO the court. Right
TO compensation is forfeited by an en-
ploye as long as he refuses physical
examination by the employers physi-
clan.
Jury trial rights are preserved but
are To be deemed waived except on de-
mand. The adjuster or the court will
fix the compensation of counsel for
the emqloye. Provision is made for
appeals TO the Circuit Court of Appeals
and to the Supreme Court and for
guardians to act on behalf Of infants,
under eighteen, or the mentally incom-
petent.
The measure would prohibit assign
ments OF any cause Of action or pay
ments due or to become due and ex-
empts all such liability and payments
from levy or sale The compensation
is a first lien on the employers prop
crty in case of insolvency.
The governments right to enforce
penalty is not to be affected by the act.
If any injury or death is caused under
circumstances creating a legal liability
for damages by any other carrier the
employer lis subrogated to the rights
Of the employe and may maintain an
action to recover damages not exceed
ing the compensation payable to tho
cmploye.
Amount Of Compensation.
No contract. or device OF any kind
is to operate to relieve the employer
from any liability under the act. The
monthly wages arc to be considered as
/ not moro than 500 nor less than $50
o month. with certain exceptions
) Monthly payments OF death benefits
are to be made for eight years thus
J a widow alone. forty per cent Of
the monthly wages; Widow and child
under sixteen or otherwise dependent.
fifty per cent; amy child under sixteen
! or dependent 25 per cent. and 10 per