Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-22
HEARING HELD ON
LIABILITY LAW
Continued From Page H.

legislature ana tlaC Lley COulu anu
would frame a measure that would be
fair. 1.-THE demand for this kind OF
legislation has come" he said, "be.
cause of the conviction which has been
driven home to the people that under
the old common law system a rank in
justice is. being done to tthe working
men and women of the world; and the
demand comes for this legislation not
along from the wage earners but from
all other classes who desire that JUS.
tice be done to labor"
Following this Senator ClarksOn OK
planned to the two committees the
features of the commission bill which
was prepared during the past year
and showed its workings.
1t is not probable there will be any
further hearings on the subject, and
very soon the whole matter will be
disposed of by the committees.
There was very large lobby pres
ent yesterday, persons from all over
the state being in attendance.
Weber Has Liability Bill.
Senator Weber of Wapello intro.
duced today an entirely new bill for
workmen's compensation and en-
pl6yers' liability. This one is pat
termed after the bill pending in the
Missouri legislature which was pre-
pared by commission similar to the
Iowa commission, after thorough in
vestigation Of the subject, and 1t will
form the framework of legislation in
that state Senator Weber has, OF
course, changed it to meet conditions
in Iowa. It is an optional bill and the
employer may elect to come under it
or take his chances with the law as
at present. If he elects to come under
the law he becomes liable to his en-
ployers and he must take out some
form of liability insurance or provide
for the settlements. The matter of set
Element goes direct to the court and
the settlement is either by the court
or through commissioner designated
for that purpose by the court. Com
pensation for injuries is on the basis
of so per cent of the weekly wage.
The limit for death or total disability
is 500 weeks; but the court may, after
twenty-six weeks, order payment in
full of the remaining part due, on
proper showing that it would be to
the advantage of the beneficiary. No
state commission Is needed and no
large fund is provided. Employers in
every kind of business come under the
bill and even If there is only one per-
son employed. ... w.. " .s.a.
Suffrage Got Jolt.
Votes for women took high fly
yesterday in one end Of the legislature
and came down with a dull thud at the
other end.
The house went pell nell for equal
suffrage, and gave notice to the state
that the so-called popular branch OF
the government" is ready to let
the women vote; then the senate COM
mittee on constitutional amendments
got busy at once and announced that
it was all a mistake and that after all
they are not to be permitted to vote,
The senate committee met at
O'Clock and Immediately decided on a
course of action. A substitute was
agreed to for the Allen joint :'esolu'
ton which was substantially the one
which passed the house. The amend
ment was different form Of the same
thing. Then the amendment was
ordered reported for indefinite post
ponement. That settles it. The senate
will hardly overturn even that com
mittee In order to get chance to vote
IN the amendment.