The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-12-13
EMPLOYERS PAY FOR INSUR
ANCE.

effect in Washington which provides
for compensation to employees in
jured while in the performance of
their duties. The insurance pre-
miums are paid by the employers
Each occupation is classified in ac-
cordance with the hazard incident to
the work, making each class of en-
ployment pay its own way. The re-
suits of the law have been highly
satisfactory to employer and employee
alike. The employer of labor has
not found the cost burdensome; the
employee is amply protected and
naturally entertains more kindly
feeling toward his employer. The
success Of the step taken by Washing
ton has led ? number of Idaho people
to advocate similar law in this
state. While this state has an en-
Iployer's liability law the employe
must show negligence in some manner
or other in order to secure compen-
sation for injuries sustained. The re-
suit is frequent suits for damages;
long continued LAWSUITS with their
innumerable appeals and endless ex-
pense. Economically the system is
unwise but where the individual en-
ployer is personally responsible pro-
lection must be afforded him against
unjust demands. The Idaho law
should not be repealed but the in
surance might be added with great
benefit to all concerned. The fact
OF the injury while performing the
duties for which he was employed,
whether through carelessness on his
part, fellow laborers, or employer,
should be sufficient proof for the
amount OF the insurance. The WASH
ington law simply makes accident in
surance compulsory, making the en-
ployer pay the premiums. The Idaho
law encourages lawsuits which are the
bane of modern life. The courts are
too crowded at the present time
which result in incalculable loss to
litigants. Frequently prejudiced
juries award damages or refrain from
awarding damages with little or no
respects to the merits of the case.
When to this is added the expense
and the delay the incompetency OF
the Idaho statute is seen at glance.
II the fact of injury was prima facie
evidence of the right of damages, and
those damages were paid by the class
as whole to which the labor's oc-
cupation was accredited, all friction
between labor and capital in this re-
spect would be entirely removed.
The State of Washington started
its accident insurance policy by the
appropriation of $lsO.OOOOO, and tina,
is all that it has or ever will cost
The premiums are regulated by the
accidents which occur. When the
fund belonging to certain class o,
occupation reaches a certain amount
the premiums are partly or entirel,
done away with for the time. TIL,
idea is simply to make the depart
ment self-sustaining. The statut,
under which the insurance department
is governed goes into all the detail,
and provides for contingencies, tn,
same as though policy were issuee
by an insurance company.
The enactment of an industrial in
surance act suited to the needs O
the people of the state should be on,
consideration of the next stat,
legislature. The Washington statut,
will furnish the ground work for tn,
law. The only changes necessar,
will be those which our own particu
lar conditions require or the exper
fence of Washington sucrests