Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-13


now and can be none"
Senator Clarkson explained the
feature of the proposed law that Will
virtually compel all employers to
come under the law. II will expect the
insurance companies to oppose this
feature strongly" he declared, FOR 1t
is intended to and will put them out OF
business in this state for this class OF
business. We cannot blame them. 1T
is purely a matter Of business with
them"
The commission bill provides for
payment of so per cent OF the wages
Of the employe, the Wrightman Dill
for SO per cent and generally Tor fewer
weeks. AS for the claim that iowa
should follow the federal law, tne
senator stated that this was not 1alr
comparison for the federal law affects
those large interstate concerns eacn
one of which is virtually company by
itself. So in the Iowa bill 1t IS pro-
yided that all the employers are
grouped together into one state mu-
tual company, with provision that the
employers handle their own funds and
make their own adjustments through
their own agents, subject only 10
| whatever supervision is necessary to
protect from injustice. A reserve 1und
is provided to prevent danger from
| abnormal conditions. The cost OF the
business is reduced because the 1nsur-
ance companies find that the cost OF
! soliciting and getting the business
ranges from 25 to SO per cent Of the
| premiums Then he also believed that
expert insurance services could be Sc
cured without paying salaries of $780,
900 to $4,000 year.
Wrqhtman Has Plan.
George Wrightman, on behalf of the
manufacturers association OF Iowa,
presented the opposing view as to the
bill. He took the position in regard to
the bill that it had many features that
could not be applied easily to condi-
lions in Iowa, that it was a matter OF
great danger to the manufacturing IN
| terests of the state, that its rates or
compensation we're so high as to be
practically prohibitive and that If 1t is
passed It will be an added burden upon
Iowa industry that will mean In MANY
cases abandonment Of the industry
He presented the points Of the maui
facturers' bill! which contemrlates per
ml,ting the employers to take out In
surance IL any company or pro-
vide by an indemnity bond for pay
ment of the liabilities. He opposed
having the entire state come under
one system, but would leave 1t to the
employers to make whatever arrange
ment they might for the payment. He
asked for consideration Of his bill.
The representatives Of insurance in
|
in regard to the matter, but they have
been very active in urging that moth
ing be done that would prevent the
outside casualty companies continuing
in business.
Ottumwans Active.
There was distributed among the
members a circular letter yesterday
which set forth the attitude of the
manufacturers association in regard tc
this legislation. 1t came from the OF
tumwa Manufacturers association
and letter came to every senator. In
this letter there was suggestion Of
postponement of the whole matter and
a plea for no action whatever. The
suggestion was made that there would
be SERIOUS consequences" that would
result from an unjust and improper
law. Some of the suggestions made
we're:
"A compensation law should give
equal protection and do equal justice
to employer and employees.
Iowa is struggling today not tt
maintain but to reach a position In the
manufacturing industries commensur
ate with resources. .t
"The Illinois law is unsatisfactory
both to employers and employees ane
workmen are demanding its repeal
"The Ohio law is likely to be re
pealed or changed as are also the Kan
sas and California laws.
! "The Clarkson bill contains pro