Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-28
WAGE PAYERS DISCUSS BILL
Manufacturers Consider Liability
Measure After Banquet.
DESRABuITY Is UNQUESTI0NED
Local Employers, with Members Of
Commission to Frame Btii, Con-
slider Features Deemed vital
to Proposed Act.

compensation ana empowers lihoHitS S"h
proposed for passage By the Nebraska
legislature were interestingly discussed
before the Omaha MaUfacturers asSocIa-
ton after a dinner last night In the rath-
skeiler Of the Henshaw hotel.
And the deeper the speakers went into
the subject the more impressed were the
listeners Of the greatness Of the under
taking in framing for Nebraska bill
for workmen's compensation for acci-
dents and deaths,
Men who have made special study Of
the subject. prominent lawyers. some of
those who are members OF the commits
sion appointed to draft the bill. and lead
ing local manufacturers were among the
speakers to discuss and elucidate the
question.
The list Of speakers Included Howard
H. Baldrige. A. J. Eggers, +. l. Ellick.
Victor Rosewater. C. F. schwager. A. J.
vierling, Edison Rich and F. E. sanborn.
Mr.. Sanborn. who is president Of the
Omaha Manufacturers association. intro
duced the speakers and helped to empha-
size the Importance Of the employers
liability bill.
Two Commissioners Attend.
OF the commissioners appointed to draft
the bill. only two were present TO enter
into the discussion. They were +. 4. e.
lick, representing the employers, and
Victor Rosewater commissioner
The other members OF the commission
are C. d. Traphagen Of Lincoln. repre-,
EaptipO the aualavarS. n Uaft.sii
and +. A. Coffey. representing the labor
ing men; /. d. Evans Of Kenesaw and
Rev. A. S. weatherly OF Lincoln, COM
missioners-at-large.
All those who took part in the discus
sion announced themselves in favor OF
some kind Of bin for workmen's COM
pensation and employers liability. They
argued the need Of such legislation.
In eleven states, California, Kansas.
New Hampshire. New Jersey. New York.
Washington. Maryland. Montana, Ill
nois, Minnesota and Ohio. laws have been
passed to protect the workingman," said
Mr.. Ellick. In foreign countries, suh
as Germany and Great Britain, where
such a law has been in effect for many
years, we may see the advantages and
some Of the disadvantages Of the work.
mems compensation and employers la
bility law.
from these states which now have
laws along this line we may see the
advantages and disadvantages Of It and
can frame our law accordingly.
vital Points I'm Law.
First, there are two things for us TO
consider: Whether workmen's compensa-
tion for accidents and deaths shall be
elective or compulsory; whether en-
ployers shall take the liability for acct
dents and death to the employees or
whether liability shall be forced upon
them. There are such problems to con-
slider as whether 1t shall be Insurance or
employers liability; II insurance, whether
all employers should dump their money
into n common fund or whether the dif-
ferent businesses be divided into classes
with each class protecting It's workmen.
We must consider whether 1t shall be a
burden of the employer alone or the EN-.
ployer and the employe."
After outlining the many questions In.
volved and explaining their various
phases Mr.. Ellick left the subject for
discussion.
Howard II. Baldrige began his remarks
with glimpse at the problem from tho
lawyers viewpoint, considering the fact
that such a law would take from the
legal fraternity workmen's damage suits
against their employers for accidents and
deaths. His first statement was that
lawyers have to iye." but with the
lawyers partially for his client he
quickly delved into the proposition OF
compensation.
Protection for workmen.
I'VE realize" he said. that the work.
ingman needs protection and he needs ii
most when out OF work and injured.
The tedious delays OF the law compel
him many times TO accept less than he
ought to accept when suing for damages
for injuries he has sustained. We are
far behind Great Britain and Germany
in making adequate and prompt compen-
sation to the laborins men.
The purpose OF this proposed law is
10 adjust as speedily and as Justly as
possible differences between employer and
employee. The National Civic federation
and the Federation Of Labor both have
such prospective laws. We should study
them and the laws OF the states now
operating such laws and consider them
in drafting this bill. / am In favor Of
some form OF workmen's compensation
bill and wanl to see the rights Of the
employers protected"
Victor Rosewater talked on the topic
from the viewpoint Of the commissioner
at-large.
in drafting this BILL" he said. the
commission has been very careful. 4
think It would be q splendid thing to
draft a tentative BILL which can be held
up for consideration and criticism Of both
the employer and empIoye. In such a
way We can arrive at what is most
wanted and needed.
1T would be well for the members OF
this organization 10 take the subject. each
10 apply It to his own business. In my
mind, 1t Is more Of problem Of humani-
tarlanism than anything else. A large
number Of accidents are no ones fault
think We should remove the burden from
the individual and place 1t on the In
dustry. There Is a question whether IT
should be placed on the Individual en-
ployers In the Industry. whether to create
a class fund or make q general fund from
taxation. There is also the question OF
Limitation. There will be some to ask
why we should not include sick benefits.
fire damage, old age and so on"
A. J. Eggers explained the Washington
law. which. he said. amounts to a COM
pulsory state Insurance II provides q
general insurance fund created by taxing
the nav roIia Of the Va rfotfs Industries