Imperial Valley press., 1914-06-22
FARMERS AND THE
COMPENSATION ACT

At the last session of the legisla-
ture, when the womkmen's compen-
sation, insurance and safety act was
being considered, committees of farm
ers from all parts of the state Wis
tied the capitol and urged that farm
laborers be exempted from it pro-
visions. The farmers believed that
the compensation act would place up
on them heavy burden in the form
of compensation to be paid to in
jured farm workers. The Legislature
complied with their request.
The preceding legislature by law
had removed the three prime de-
fenses, i. e., the assumption of risk,
the fellow servant rule and the doc
trine of contributory negligence,
which, under common law, had pro-
tected the employer in damage suits.
With these defenses removed it had
become common for juries- to render
verdicts against employers in favor
injured workers, ranging from $4,000
to $4,000 and costs, to say nothing
of attorneys fees, loss of time, veX-
alton, annoyance and bitterness of
feeling created between the workers
and their employers. The farmer, be-
ing exempted from the provisions of
the compensation act, remains under
this possibly heavy liability. The
cost of limited insurance, giving only
partial protection and covering dam
age awards by juries, is the same as
! for unlimited compensation insurance,
which affords the farmer complete
protection. Unlimited compensation
insurance may be taken only after
electing to come under the compensa-
tion act 1t provides remuneration
for the injured workers and conserves
the friendly relations between en-
ployer and employee.
Since January l., 1914, when the
compensation act became effective,
over 1000 farmers have voluntarily
come under that law and have thus
protected themselves against heavy
jury awards, covering their compen-
satio1 libility by taking insurance
The rate for insurance covering farm
labor is l II per cent of the farmers
annual payroll. They have wisely
done this because they know that to
do otherwise is to assume the risk,
if in moderate circumstances, of pos
sible ruin By electing compensation
! and taking out insurance their in
jured workers are assured of ninety
days free medical treatment, and such
other compensation as the law pro-
vides, thus saving these injured work
ers and their dependents from falling
below the poverty line and becoming
possible objects of charity. These
farmers now realize, as they did not
at the time of their opposition to
the compensation act, that the new
law gives protection to them and their
workers.
Since the enactment of the compen-
sation law the state itself has gone
into the insurance business. 1t has
done this, not for profit, but to pro-
tect employers against possible ex-
cessive rates, to insure prompt set
tlement of claims, and TO make IL
surance available to the smallest en-
ployer in the remotest hooks and cor
ners of the state.
The Industrial Accident Commits
sion, 525 Market street, San Fran
cisco, will, upon request, forward a
blank, which, when filled out, signed
and returned to the commission, will
bring the farmer under the compen-
sation act. A further request to the
commission for an insurance applica-
ton blank will enable the farmer to
apply for insurance in the state fund.
Modern two-room housekeeping
apartment. 626 Commercial.-Adv.