Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-03-21

abolition of employers common law
defenses, the army of the injured
will still increase, the price of our
manufacturing greatness will still
have to be paid in human blood and
tears"
In the past the burden of the &C
cidents due to our manufacturing
greatness has been borne principal
ly by the workers. The Green Law
changes this without placing the bur-
den on the employers. It adopts the
principle which has prevailed in
England, Germany and other Euro
pean countries for years back;
namely, that the cost of their indus
trial accidents shall be charged to
the product. The wear and tear of
machinery is always figured in the
cost of production Of all articles
and there is no just reason why the
wear and tear of human life should
not likewise befigured in the cost of
production.
Let me state as briefly as clear
ness will permit just what the essen
tial features of the Green Law are.
1t provides for the establishment
of the State Liability Board of
Awards, to be composed of three
members, not more than two of
which shall be of the same political
party. This Board of Awards is to
establish an Insurance Fund from
premiums paid thereto by such en-
ployers and employees as may de-
eide to pay into the fund. It is also
provided that the Board of Awards
shall classify employments with re-
spect to their degrees of hazard, and
determine the risks of the different
classes and fix the rates of premium
of the risks of the same, based upon
the total pay roll and number OF en-
ployees in each of said classes of
employment. The Board is given
authority to employ such actuaries,
examiners. inspectors. experts, etc..
as may be needed.
The policy Of the Board will be to
get the best actuaries and experts
that can be secured in the work of
classifying the risks Of employment;
and fixing the insurance rate. When
the risks are classified and the rates
fixed the same win be published.
The law provides that any employ
er who employs five or more work
men or operatives regularly in the
same establishment who shall pay
into the State Insurance Fund the
premiums published by the Board OF
Awards, shall not be liable to re-
spond in damages at common law or
by statute, for injuries or death OF
any employee during the period Gov
cred by his Insurance. After making
his payment Into the Insurance Fund
the. employer is required to post In
conspicuous places about his factory
or place of business typewriter or
printed notices stating that he has
made such payment. This is consid-
cred to be sufficient notice to the
EMPLOYEES. The employer is also
empowered to deduct from the wages
Of his employees ten per cent, OF
the cost Of his insurance. For In
stance, If his insurance amounts to
500 for six months, SO Of this shall
be borne by the employees collect
lively. If there are one hundred en-
ployees, that win mean ten cents
each.
IN case Of injury received in the
course OF employment, If the injury
he temporary or partial, the injured
worker will receive sixty-six and
twothirds per cent. Of the impair
mens Of his earning capacity during
the period Of his disability. But the
amount paid cannot exceed maxi
mum Of s12 per week, and not less
than a minimum Of SIS per week. +
the employees wages are less than
IS 4 week, he shall receive his full
wages. This is not to continue more
tban six years from the date of IN.
iury and shall not exceed three thou
sand four hundred dollars for any
one injury.
If the injury IS one that causes
uermanent total disability. the II.
hired worker win receive sixtyfsiz
and two-thirds per cent. Of his aver
age weekly wages for the remainder
81 bis life. II addition e this, doc
a. tiIIs and hospital charges. POI