Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-20
Employers Liability Bill
is Recommended in Re-
port Of Commission.
IS APPROVED BY TAFT
System of Payments Arranged
for Families Left Without
Supporters.

Washington, Feb. 2o.-President
Taft today submitted TO congress the
report of the employers liability
commission and the commissions
proposed employers liability and |
workmen's compensation bill. ac-
companied by a message urging
enactment OF the measure, which is
the most advanced piece OF liability
legislation yet presented. The presi-
, dent deems the measure one of the |
greatest steps toward a satisfactory |
solution of an important phase OF the
controversies between employer and
employe that has been proposed in
the last two or three decades. The
president concludes with the reiter-
ated hope that the bill may be pass
ed before the adjournment of the
present session.
ELIMINATES OLD DOCTRINE.
The most drastic employers
liability legislation in many years
is proposed by the employers
liability and workmen's compensa-
ton report. made public today. Head
ed by Senator Sutherland of Utah, the
commission personnel also consists of
Senator Chamberlain. Oregon; Repre-
sentative Moon, Pennsylvania; Repre-
sentative Brantley. Georgia. and d. l..
Cease, editor Of railroad mems mag
azine. The report is accompanied by
the draft OF a bill in which the COM
mission eliminates the common law
doctrine OF negligence with what IL
characterizes as the unjust defenses
OF assumption of risk. fellow servants
fault. and contributory negligence.
Compensation, with general basis OF
an equivalent TO one-half wages. is to
he paid in every case except where the
injury or death is caused by the willful
intention of the employe to injure him
self or another. OF in case of intoXica-
tion on duty.
RIO.Os5. 900 PAID ANNUALLY.
The combined railroad companies OF
the country are paying out TO their EN-.
ployes for accidents in settlement and
judgments approximately Sl0,OS5.OOO,
and the proposed law, as nearly as the
commission can estimate Il, will raise
this by 25 per cent. Figuring on the
periodical payments extending over a
term OF years and capitalized at per
cent, the commission points out that
the total received by the beneficiaries
would reach an aggregate of SIS 5000, 900
annually. II points out that for every
dollar the railroad companies are com.
PEELED to pay under existing law they
will under the proposed law pay ap-
proximately $l.25. and that for every
dollar the employees and dependents
now receive they would receive a
sum very much In excess OF
Sl25. II says that during 1908,
1909 and 1910 the railroads paid
Sl4.5O0.O0 in settlements and judg.
ments alone on account of the death of
nearly 10000 workers. and $2l ,S33. 900
approximately for permanent or tenn.
porary disabling injuries, as well as
sustaining an economic loss OF l6l,-
654. 900 days.
The proposed bill declares that Il 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 recog
niEe and give effect TO this policy.
ABoLIsHES EXISTING REMEDIES.
The bill would provide that every
common carrier engaged in interstate
or foreign commerce by railroad shall
paw compensation TO any employe who
sustains personal injury in line OF duty
or to his dependents in case of his
death. II makes the remedy exclusive
by reason OF the compensation being
complete satisfaction. II abolishes al
existing common law and statutory
remedies. and applies TO all railroad:
in the District OF Columbia as well.
Il would exclude from compensation
the first l4 calendar days, except tha
the employer is to furnish all necessary
medical and surgical aid. including
hospital services and is 10 continue e
so furnish after the II days under spe
cifc provisions.
The employe or his dependent mus
notify the employer OF the acciden
within 80 days. except under certain
contingencies which extend the hmi
10 80 days. After the IA day period fol
lowing the injury. employer and EN-
ploye are TO agree In writing on SET
uement; arbitration committees ma,
be organized by them to settle dispute
and award compensation. subject TO re
view within two years an "adjuster o
accident insurance" to be appointed b.
each United States district court 70
four year terms at from 81 500 to 50