The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-05-16
EMPLOYERS
LIABILITY ACT
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO COM
PENsATE WoRKlNGMEN
FOR INJURIES
SUBMITTED TO PEOPLE AUGUST 5
Measure Classics Industries Accord
ing to Their Relative Hazards
Other Interesting News Of
the Legislature

IHS ES9lSiatuIO
The workmen's compensation act,
similar to the law of the state Of
Washington and supported by organ
lied labor, was passed in the house
with resolution providing for the
submission of the question to the peo-
pie at a special election to be held
August 5, 1913. The bill proper was
passed by vote of 81 to 10, with IA
members absent. The resolution pro-
viding for submission at the August
election carried by vote of u to 10,
with Is members absent.
The question was presented to the
house in the form of joint resolu-
tion,. by Pinkham, j. R. Williams,
Peery and Glasco. BY unanimous con-
sent, third and final reading of the
lengthy bill was suspended and after
a short discussion, the final roll call
was taken with the above result.
The act provides for the compensa-
ton of injured workmen in extra haz-
ardous industries and for compensa-
ton Of their dependents where such
injuries result in death. 1t places the
supervision of the act under the state
commissioner of labor, and makes an
appropriation of 100000 for the ad-
ministration of the act out OF the &C.
cident fund for the care and compen-
sation of injured workmen. 1t pre-
scribes penalties for violation of the
act, withdraws the common law doc
trine of negligence or fault and all
jurisdiction of the courts Of the state
except in certain instances and pro.
Vides rates contribution of employ
ers and schedule of compensation.
Board Of Awards.
4 A board of awards is provided, to
7 composed of the commissioner Of
labor, the insurance commissioner
and state auditor. The act provides
that workmen, if injury continues
more than one week, shall receive
compensation as follows: He shall
be furnished with reasonable medical,
surgical or hospital service and med
icines. Where death occurs as a re-
suit Of injury, the expense Of burial
shall be paid, not to exceed SIS. If
the workman leaves widow or in
valid widower, monthly payment of
$25 shall be made throughout the life
of the surviving spouse, to cease at
the end of month in which re-marriage
shall occur, and the surviving spouse
shall also receive SIS per month for
each child until such minor has
reached the age Of 16 for boys and is
for girls. The total monthly payment
shall not exceed $40.
If the workman leaves no wife or
husband, but child or children, a
monthly payment of SIS for each child
is required. If under age, and unmar-
ried at time Of death, the parent or
parents are to be paid $50 per month
until the time that he would have
been twenty-one years Of age. The
total payment shall be for loss of an
arm above the elbow, $4,000; loss of
arm below elbow, $1,5OO; loss Of hand,
$1,000; loss of leg above knee, $4,000;
below, $1,000; loss of foot, $1,000 and
loss of one eye, $1,000.
On July /, 1914, employers covered
by the act are required to pay into
the state treasury sum equal to
percentage Of thlr total pay roll for
the preceding quarter and thereafter
every three months, such an amount
as shall be deemed necessary by the
department
To Classify Industries.
Under the provisions of the act, 1t
will be the duty Of the department of
labor, and the board of awards, to es-
tablish and promulgate rules and regu-
1atlons foI the administration Of the
act; to ascertain and establish the
amounts to be paid into and out of
the state fund; regulate the proof Of
accidents and extent thereof, the
proof of relationship, and extent of
dependency; issue proper receipts for
money received and certificates for
benefits accrued and accruing; make
annual reports to the governor, show
ing financial status and the outstand-
ing obligations Of the state insurance
fund. The state treasurer shall be
the custodian of the insurance fund.
Industries coming under the act,
are to be divided into classes, based
upon the relative hazard, such CLASH
fication to be made by the depart
ment. Each class shall meet and be
liable for all accidents occurring therein.
liable for all accidents occurring
therein.
Another Representative Dies
Representative r. ]. Thompson of