Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-19
problem that they may meet the mega

problem that they may meet the mega
tive arguments.
What They Approve and Dlsapprove.
A number of men in the meeting
yesterday gave their views on the
points of the proposed law. The
statute now in force where contrlbu-
tory negligence on the part OF the en-
ploye plays such an important part IN
court litigation. was given unanimous
disapprowal. Walter G.. Minnlck as
serted that Mr.. GARRISON. the chair
man of the commission inferred In an
address that the law by which the en-
.plpyes is liable when he continues 10
work where he is not properly sare-
guarded after reporting the defect.
should lie stricken out OF the code OF
Iowa Mr.. Minnic'' stated that the
Workingman should advocate before
the commission th" w*""ge or a law
whereby every man employed by Nan-
other man should bes the agent OF that
man and that the employer should be
liable for all damages. He asserted
that a man working for a living was
not in position to quit because he
was not properly safe guarded In his
work or because some defect had come
up that placed him in danger OF IN
Jury. P. D. Queeney. J. A. Lukens, Jonn
Kitto and r. D. Watson also expressed
themselves on the contributory negli-
gence law, declaring 1t was unfair and
unjust. r.
Z The speakers yesterday also went
on record on the several methods OF
naying the compensation OF the In
iured workingman. The manner that
found unouestionable opposition was
the provision that the manufacturer
should be permitted to raise the price
ofthis products to counterbalance mis-
loss through compromising his injured
EMPLOYEES. Such a plan would have
the consumers paying the bill and the
employer would not be out one cent.
He therefore would not have any in
creased desire to be more concerned
in the welfare of his men.
P. D. Queeney struck the popular
chord when he declared the working
men were not asking the passage OF
the law for the purpose OF securing
money but to secure means or pre-
venting the injuries that require COM
pensation. He asserted that one OF the
hest WAYS to secure the safe guarding
of men working on machines was TO
place the employer In position Wnere
il was to his advantage to see that no
accidents happened.
Mr.. Oueeney said that all employers
were not negligent toward the welfare
Of their employees. many of them be-
ing ready to take every action Tor
safety. He asserted the COMPENSATION
and liability bill was intended Tor
those manufacturers who disregarded
accident prevention.
Employers Pay the Bill.
The only method for the payment OF
the compensation endorsed yesterday
was by the employer alone. The meet
ing of the obligation by the state, or
by three parties, the state, the en-
Movers and the employees was dis
credited for the reason that it would
not secure the results desired. The
men expressed themselves that the
only way to secure protection against
accidents. which is the main purpose
| of the law, is to have the employer
who is negligent in safe guarding his
men to foot the bill" They asserted
| that all accidents were Of course not
preventable. In such cases the en-
nloyes were deserving of compensa-
| ton for their loss of time, suffering
! and discomforts.
! Members of the commission have
been in Ottumwa for several days Sc
i curing data from various sources
They conclude their investigation with
the meeting March 20 at the Bal
/ lingall.
! kEOSAUQUa. {