The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-05-14

"a
workmen's compensation act for the
state of idaho, into which Is inter-
woven factory inspection and safety
provisions, by the commission ap-
pointed by Governor Haines last year
to investigate and recommend Dill
to the next legislature, and submitted
last week to the governor, includes
number of features Of constructive
legislation resulting from ideas Great
ed by the experience Of other states
and foreign governments, as well as
few radical departures from the beat
en- track so generally followed in re-
cent enactments. +
The entire bill is modelled along
safe and conservative lines as to its
general features, the changes referred
to covering those patent defects and
omissions shown in the experience OF
other states.
The provisions of the bill recon-
mended by the commission to the
governor are as follows:
Administration.
Administration of the general duties
of the industrial accident board, is
provided for in commission of three
members. Two of these consist of the
commissioner of labor and immigra-
ton and the state insurance commits
sioner the third, or executive member
being appointed by the governor. The
bill contemplates division of the du-
ties Of the commission in such way
that the appointment of but one new
state official is necessary, an economy
to be commended.
By placing the inspection Of all haz-
ardous employment under the super
vision of the labor commissioner and
the insurance features in the Office OF
the state insurance commissioner
leaving charge Of the compensation
features Of the act to the executive
member, satisfactory working body
is created with but little added ex-
pense for operation.
General Compensation Provisions.
lie COMPENSATION ledtuIcS VI lHc
bill are covered by three distinct plans
to which a number of general provi-
sions apply, but in connection with
these, the penalizing sections affect
ing such employers and workingmen
as do not come under the act must
be considered.
Abrooation of Oefenses.
Defenses of "contributory negli-
gence," assumption Of risk" ant
negligence Of fellow servant" are
abolished as against all employers
who elect not to come under the act
but are available to an employer who
does come under as against an EN-.
ploye who does not In a suit agains
an employer not under the act thu
proof of injury is prima facie evidence
of an employers negligence
Industries Covered.
All known hazardous occupations ir
the state are classified and defined a!
such, under the general headings o.
construction, operation, repair ant
miscellaneous items of employment
special provisions being made to in
clude and definitely fix the liability O
contractors, sub contractors and in
dependent contractors profiting in THU
regard by the experience Of othe
states where these matters have prov
en- difficult if not impossible to handl
49,, L. 90 Jo@o e{o f,,foe
one hand and entire omissions in ;
great many cases.
Beneficiaries and Dependents.
With a view of simplifying tn
administration of the act as well a
the elimination Of disputes the bill
particularly defines benef1ciaries as IN
Guiding only the surviving spouse an
children of deceased workman, a
only those entitled to compensation Il
the first instance. In the absence of
family the father and mother as ma
jor dependents receive a less rate 0
compensation, if actually dependen
following which, in the absence o
major dependents also, dependen
brothers and sisters, as minor depend
ents are compensated at a further re
duced rate.
First Aid and Hospitals.
No compensation is allowed durin
the first two weeks of an injury, /
lieu of which, hospital, medical an
surgical attendance at a cost not ex
ceeding $50 is provided except wher
employees are members of an hospits
association. Provision is made &c
the retention Of the good features
the hospital associations common
our state, after due care has bee
taken to overcome Objectionable feat
ures. All hospital contracts must Gov
err sickness as we'll as injuries; a max
.imum fee Of 81 per month is estat
lshed, except in exceptional case
hit with the qualification that no pre-
fit can be made by an employer out
hospital contracts and that the ult
mate fee can not exceed the amour
actually required.