The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-16

/ geo! AT this rat the law. " III cost
In outlay for benet fits about 81 900
'l1eaying a surplus In the fund Of
about $4,000 for the first quarter.
Hod Fund is Paid.
"on the basis Of deductions made
from figures compiled along lines OF
research such as are compiled by in
surance companies, 1t Is estimated
that under the law a widow may re-
ceiye lump sum of about $3.50
for the loss OF her husband, or she
may be paid 1920 a year for pc
Rod OF Is years, while each child
pay be paid IS a month till Of legal
Working age in the state"
The 1,4S5 employers who have
subscribed to the law represent a
monthly payroll of $7122,149,94.
Among these are practically all the
great coal corporations Of West Vir-
ginia, 'the Consolidation Coal Com
pany, operating largely In the Fair
mont district; the United States
Coal & Coke Company Of the New
River field, embracing 20 subsidiary
| corporations, and in the same dis
trict the United States Coal & Oil
Company; the companies Of the Po-
cohontas regions and a long list Of
the other great companies through.
out the state.
For the first fractional quarter the
companies have made remittance up
until January first next, but here
after the returns will be made month
ly., In some instances the corpora
lions have not collected the 10 per
cent, which is the proportion assess
ed 10 the workmen, but have remit
ted from the company treasury for
this amount as well as that allotted
as the corporation or employer share.
This is in a measure a Christmas
present from the bounty Of capital
to the stocking OF labor hung up at
the Yule log in the Capitol chimney
corner. The sad feature Of this is
that some man must be MANNED Of
die to fill esstocking with the more
munificent gift that is assured by
the generosity Of the employer who
pays the pittance for this protection.
Provisions of the Law.
The provisions of the law are far
reaching. In all deaths reasonable
funeral expenses are allowed, not to
exceed $75, in addition to any other
award. The dependant father or
other of a man killed, a minor and
unmarried, is entitled to fifty per
cent of the weekly wage, not to ex-
coed Sc a week, this benefit to con-
Ftinue till the employe would have
reached the age of 81 years. A wild
ow or invalid receives $40 month
until death or remarriage, and an ad-
ditional S. a>month for each child
not to exceed three, up till the time
the child has reached the legal work.
ing age, held to be fifteen, years, the
total payment not to exceed in the
family $35 a month.
If there be wholly dependent per-
sons other than widow, widower or
child, such are to receive fifey per
cent of the average monthly support
actually received from the deceased
during the period between the date
Of death and six years after the in
jury, a maximum of $40 a month.
In case Of disability, total. fifty
per cent Of the average wage per
week, is paid, to continue till death.
subject to a MAXIMUM of Sc a week
and a minimum of SO week; par
tial disability. fifty per cent of the
impairment of earning capacity of
emplOye, subject to maximum OF
SIS a week, and a minimum of 81
week, the maximum period of the
benefits, &c weeks, except for the
loss of leg above the ankle, an arm
above the wrist or the loss Of an eye,
when the period is extended to 156
weeks.
Medical and hospital expenses arc
also to be paid up to a maximum OF
$3.50. except where the injured is en-
titled to this through arrangement
with his employer. The benefits are
exempt from all claims Of creditors
and from attachment or execution,
and may be committed TO lump sums
where the department deems this OK
pedient.
At the rate the fund has accumu-
lated, the outlook is that there will
be subscribed $3.50. 900 for the first
year ant" about $1,0OOOO0 yeat
thereafter. In some quarters 1t is
expected that the rate for miners
and timbermen. both classes of which
are employed in labor that is cOnsid-
cred extra hazardous, will have to
be increased, as a greater number OF
beneflciaries are listed for awards
under the law. but this Is measure
for the future and one that the leg
islature can regulate by amendment
at any session.
Benefits for Employer.
In some quarters II may be asked:
Wherein does the employer derive
any benefit under the law? Aside
from the moral effect upon the work
ing classes who it is expected toll In
a sense OF greater security and peace
of mind under the protection of state
help in the hour OF distress, one pro-
yiSion of the law states. "Any pm-