The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-10
COMPENSATION BILL
 IS ALMOST READY
Optional, Not Compulsory, Insur- ance Is to Be Recommended
 by Committee

Hartford, April 1o-That a work mems compensation bill will be re- ported favorably by the joint com mittees judiciary and labor is as- sured. The members held a secret session yesterday afternoon and the fully with the result that num- Der of provisions in the various bills were taken out as features for a new bill.
 One of the important features de- cided upon was that the act should not be compulsory, but optional, in its insurance features and 1t was de- cided that those employing five men, or under should be exempt from an-, of it's provisions. This, of course, was put forth as a. sop to the farmers, few of whom employ more than the stipulated five. The basis of compen- sation is understood to have been cut from 66 2-3 per cent. embodied in the Federation of Labor bill to 50 per cent. and instead of the en- ployee sharing the burden of the in surance the employer will shoulder the whole burden
 It was finally agreed that there should be five commissioners, one ap- pointed from each Congressional dis trict, and that the compensation should be $4,0OO a year and expenses. All the commissioners are to be ap-
 
 ate ratification.
 The question of state insurance is eliminated from consideration, entire 1y, it is understood. The Michigan act allows four kinds of insurance state mutual, stock and individual probable that bill will be reported recommending three of these and eliminating the state Insurance
 The bill will also probably provide that the injured men receive first aid'' treatment for thirty days the the employer. The employee, how ever, will have the right to enlist the services of his own physician, if he so chooses, but he will have to bear the burden of that expense, himself, and he has the privilege of dispens- ing with the services of the physician furnished by his employer, if he so chooses.
 In cases where there is no insur- ance taken out by an employer and an accident occurs, there may be an agreement on compensation between the employer and the employee, pro- vided, however, that it be subject to the approval of the commissioner of that congressional district in which the accident happened.
 Another question, which was some thing of a puzzle was as to whether
 
 be specific, or general, and it was de- cidide that it should be specific. This will make a set scale of compensa- ton for certain injuries.
 It was decided to adopt the prin- ciples Of the Massachusetts act in wiping out the defences of contribu- tory negligence, assumption of risk and fellow servant rule for those who come under the provisions of com peneation act.
 The question of trial by jury was injected into the proceedings. but it | was rejected. It was to provide for a | jury trial if the employee wished, but | In that case he was to forfeit any | privileges which might accrue to him l under the provisions of the act. l The substance is that the commits | sion bill wins it's optional insurance 1 the Federation of Labor bill | its administrative board ideas, and l the manufacturers' bill it's elimina.- l tion of state insurance