Semi-weekly herald., 1914-03-23
STATE INSURANCE ACT
WORKS WELL ON COAST

and safety act, effective since Janu-
ary /, is working out satisfactorily.
Both employers and employees are
agreed that "it is one Of the best leg
islative acts enacted by the johnson
administration.
Under its provisions all wage earn
ers, except those engaged in agricul-
tural and kindred pursuits and in
household service are entitled to a
percentage of their wages if disabled
while on duty. If an employe IL kill
led his dependents are entitled to q
death benefit. In addition the en-
ployer must supply unlimited medical
attendance for 80 days after an acci-
dent and pay life pensions to those
permanently and seriously hurt. In
discussing the new law here today
State Industrial Accident Commits
siOner French said:
"While it's life has been short, the
new situation is working out salts
factorily. Instead of Uncertainty
there is certainty. Employees, other
wise defenseless, are now protected
during critical period. Employees are
also relieved from the dread Of dam
age suits. Their obligation is fixed
and insurance, definite in character,
may be obtained by the employer to
meet the cost. In the majority Of
cases the employer is adding this cost
to the expense of doing business.
"a few employers have endeavored
to subtract the cost of the accident
insurance from the wages of their
employees. This system has been gen.
orally resisted. Where the employees
are unorganized they have had lit
tie or no redress. Where they are
organized different status was pre-
sented and the attempts at reduc-
tions have been few and far beteween.
It is certain that this situation will
right itself later and that no fur
ther efforts will be made to charge
workingmen and workingwomen with
the cost. The men and women of la
Dor all take the risks Of industry
and when lives and limbs are contrib
uted to production they should be paid
for, exactly as all other items that
enter into the cost are included.
Zone interesting feature of the 1st
weeks experience with the new law
was the large number of voluntary
acceptances of compensation from
farmers and fruit growers. These en-
ployers, after ascertaining the possi-
bilities of damage suits under the
common law, elected compensation in
order to be entirely relieved from
suits although exempted by the act.
For comparative small amount each
farmer and fruit grower can procure
insurance coverage, under compensa-
ton that is exactly what it should be.
A feature especially gratifying to
employers that is incorporated in the
new law is the section that nullifies
proceedings agains the employer If
he carries a regular policy.
"One objection that has been raised
to the new law is the cost of insur-
ance. 1t is true the rates are high,
but the opportunities for reductions
are excellent. There is no reliable data
on hand on which to base the rates.
A years experience will help ma
terially. Some lines of business al
ready have experienced reductions.
Other changes are in contemplation.
But the one method that will meet
with universal approval is the plan
to lower the rates for each employer
who lessons the hazards in his place
of business. Each safety precaution
will result in credit on the premium
and will thus pay for itself eventual
ly and, in the meantime, deaths and
accidents to the workers will be pre-
vented. The merit-rating plan, which
soon will be installed by both the state
and the private insurance companies,
will be the most pronounced factor in
assisting the employer over what is
conceded to be . difficult part Of the
compensation road"
CpATN CpOUCuC HsNrSr