Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-27

liner countries or even in orr oun
aouii'ry. But | think perhaps inst a
"oiu would not be out of place in re-
D., 'ion TO what has been done and ner-
calling the attention of the COM
'ee TO the countries and tn the
| VI TINS country which have en-
Leu some form of a workmen's com
pensation legislation.
ABOUT forty years ago, I think n
&C. IN Germany under Bismark the
liet real compensation bill was
passed, enacted into law and put into
operation. Great Britain followed ana
now not only in Germany and Graat
pritain, but in Italy, Norway. Alber-
"a Austria, Belgium. British Colun-
pa cape Colony, Denmark Finland
france, Greece, Hungary. Luxemburg
| Netherlands, New South Wales New
Zealand, Quebec, Queensland. Russia
TIL TT Aus'ralla' Spain, Sweden,
ii"hSNali and Western Australia. have
ouoP'eu some form of workmens
compensation law.
me states of this Union which have
on auy adopted workmens compen-
saeion acts are Arizona, California, H.
iiiiols' Kansas, Maryland, Massachu-
setts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hamp-
sure New Jersey, New York, Ohio.
hhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin,
ana the states which are now consid-
eflhs such acts. either in Legislature
or by commissions appointed by Leg
lsiatures, are Colorado, Connecticut.
Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana. Maine
missouri. Nebraska, North Dakota
ofegon, pennsylvania, Texas, West
Virginia "''s
The Federal Government enactad n
Workmen's compensation law in ions
DIS applied to the Panama canal on
eratlons, which has been extended
ION tlne TO time, until now il an
piles TO all railroads doing interstata
Coihinerce business, to the District of
0oiuihpla' employees in the Forestry
service and many other EMPLOYEES
ilo" IN the service of the Federal
government. The Federal bill vae
lihally enacted in all it's enlarged do
talls, February, 1912.
Now Mr.. Chairman. il Is NOT s,m
clent that other countries ana otho.
states of this Union have enacted
compensation bills. If that u,o,o H.
only reason, we would not perhans
~ we're JuStlHed IN enact
ing such Dill in this Legislature. But
II Is recognized generally that in the
inward Fiarch Of civilization such n
Jaw demanded Rnd therefore at the
beginning OF THIS session, two bills
We're introduced into this Legislature
IN order that Maine might not lag
pehind in recognizing the Justice of
the great principles involved in such
wise and progressive legislation az il
here proposed
one of those bills was carefully
drawn by very able lawyer. a very
toie gentleman. who at one time pre-
sided over the deliberations of this
Senate and it was drawn, believe.
With great deal of care, study and
thought, and has in it incorporated the
best features of workmen's compen-
sation legislation anywhere in this
country enacted.
Another bill was presented in the
House, also carefully drawn, and these
lis were both referred to the Com
Tee on Judiciary. The committee,
irving notice and holding an ex-
a hearing, appointed a sub-com-
At the hearing there appear
'ge number of gentlemen who
: MIS- favor of the bill, coming
GEMS Mii'sparts of this State. Gentle
Tuesday ,esenting large corporations
wing circh manufacturing concerns.
an Estes ayor of the passage of some
esent ST workmen's compensation
her good ting that manufacturers,
pper & of labor, We're coming TO
- Ion that such a law is de-
4 80. - only for the employees, but
I'm account as well.
q i' ",a : -, ''ste that hearing. which as l
''s''eu Vey fully attended, the sub
Lpa. wi.tee lgan their labors, which
~ Fridand r9re or less arducus, and
illness of tdera these two bills. They
II was psiil Vat was drawn by Mr..
% \ wordpdutd by myself in this
hed only fot bis. and gave it as
me-. The deceY asthey could in the
<hter OF thes hat bill has been
u ct1seiikchest comfortable extent. 1t
!. wa not -shink, riginally a drastic
4 bin, not in the leat but many fea
I ture which niightAe eonsidered by
1, sorn to be moreNor SIS so have been
\, cutbut, and We areAow considering
!, inch modified bin much miider
4, bill han that originalA presented.
j. | Fill call your atteNon to few
~ of t. changes that han been made
on in te bill in order TIT you may
neiperhps get an idea ofNwhere the
n eomnttee did their worl<Nn relation
), there. The BILL as originSy drawn Z
~ inclued in its scope all @plc5ers,
- aakig no distinction betNen the
- large employer and the snnl en-
y picss but included everybods en-
= ployik labor, except farm laorers
~ ana bmestic servants, which i the
- usual exemption in all such acts
~ sbpose that it is generally knwn
60. ny al members of this committeecf
lle me Mole. that every compensate
az DIN Deeds upon the theory that IT,
ke oio cnmon law doctrine of contribH
'er lory Aglieence as a defence, the fel-
on low Swami rule as defence, and the
at assuIAtion of risk also as defence
s. mas Pm outgrown, and under present
fl lnausEal conditions, works great
In nara to employees, particularly
III g Va employed in hazardous occu-
In oc at common law, the employ