The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-10-03
24SI:ATES:ENAC7ED.
CO|MPENSAT TON LAWS
Great Progress Made In Securing
Workmen's Compensation
> Legislation.

Exactly one-half, or "a, of the 4S
states have enacted workmen's COM
pepsa ton laws during the past four
years." Is the announcement of the
American association for Labor Leg
islation in a new bulletin which by the
aid Of a >colored map graphically de-
picts this revolutionary advance. Two
big areas, the solid south broken only
by Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas,
and a Rocky mountain strip extend
ing eastward over the Dakotas, are
still backward and untouched by the
forwa d-sWeeping wave of compen-
satien. But more strikingly pronin-
ent still are the remaining unprogres-
sive states of Missouri, Indiana, Penn
sylvania, Delaware, Vermont and
Maine, all 'of which, however, are
working toward compensation legis-
lation in 1915.
To Strengthen Laws. :.
1T is practically certain that within
the near future numerous bills will be:
drafted to strengthen existing laws
and to extend the compensation sys-
tenn over the remaining twenty-four
states. The; time, therefore, seems
|:opportune for an appraisal of results,
for the adoption. of new ideals" says
the association in sending outs it's
| 'Standards for Workmen's Compen-:
aati6n 'Laws.'' Features especially en-
phasized*' am ng these standards are
that the scale of COMPENSATION for
Ethe injured should be based on two
thirds of wages, with adequate med
ical attendance, and the inclusion Of
all employees except farm: labor. do
mestic service (except in connection
with hotels and restaurants) and cas-
ual employment not carried on for
the profit OF the employer. Security
fer the payment of compensation
awards. and an accident board to en-
force the law, are regarded as essen
tial.
Progress Made.
| The states having legislative COM
missions now preparing bills are In
diana, Missouri, Pennsylvania and
Vermont. In Indiana the commits
sion itself has been declared uncon-
stitutional, owing to technical de-
feet in the title of the creating reso-
luton and the ''members' have been
seriously hampered by lack Of funds.
l. Pennsylvania, with an exceptionally
liberal appropriation for study, has
recommended one of the most made
quate bills yet discussed. The Mis-
souri, commission has submitted a
comparatively liberal measure, marred
! however, by a few anti-social back
ward steps; such, for example, as the
i first explicit exclusion in American
Legislation of occupational diseases.
! . Vermont adopted constitutional
amendment in April, 1913, permitting
a. compulsory law which is now be-
ing drafted. In November this year,
Wyoming will vote upon a constitu-
tionat amendment making possible a
state insurance fund. An initiated
measure roughly. drawn comes before
the people of Montana on Nov. 8,
while in Nebraska the compensation
law of 1913, through the efforts of
personal injury attorneys, working
under the guise of "Workingmen':i
Protective league" has been held up
by referendum petition and must
be voted upon by the people in Mo-
vember. Three states, Colorado, Della
ware. and North Dakota, have had
legislative commissions without legis-
lative results. Prominent among the
remaining states where compensa-
ton bills are now Being considered
are Maine and Alabama. The COM
ing year, according to trustworthy
accounts, promises to be a fruitful
one in workmen's compensation leg
tel