Omaha daily bee., 1914-11-29
WORKMAE'S LAW EXPLAINED
Compensation Statute Will Go Into
Effect Within Few Weeks.
MUTUAL COMPANY FORMED
Manufacturers Organize Mutual In
surance Company 60 Carry one
Another's Risk in Matter of
Liability Incurred.


At last ambulance chasing is TO be ended
in Nebraska, when the workmen's com
pensation law. approved by the people
OF the state by popular vote at the last
election. goes into operation. The law
win likely be declared in operation within
the next few weeks.
The law is specific In fixing the amount
Of compensation due 20 injured employees
for specific injuries while on duty. In
each case II specifies a given per cent
Of the employees wages to be paid for a
stipulated period OF time after such in
Jury. 1t is designed TO do away with
costly litigation, which has been a detri-
ment both to employer and employed.
Mutual Companies Formed.
Some important changes will be noticed
in the conduct OF business In the state
For example. the manufacturers Of the
state have already organised for the pur-
pose of forming a mutual insurance com
pany to carry ono anothsr's risk in the
matter OF liability incurred from the In
juTies sustained by employees in theiI
plants. The companies have the privilege
Of organizing mutual companies. insurins
with a blanket insurance under any OF
the existing liability insurance com
panies, or carrying their own risk in the
matter OF liability for injury OF employees
Some will stiil carry blanket insurance
with liability companies. A large per cent
Of them have already signed the agree
ment to come Into the new mutual COM
pany. A few will carry their own risk.
This latter case occurs In the instance
In which man has a small manufactur-
ing concern. employing perhaps not more
than two or three men. and being an EN-
ployment that il In no way dangerous
70 life or limb of employe. Such an en-
ployer does not care TO pay a heavy pro
MUM to an insurance company annually
to protect him against liability for In
juries when he knows the chances are a
thousand 20 one that no accident will
occur in his little plant He may choose
to carry his own risk; that &c. carry no
insurance. but set aside little fund on
his books to .bs used for a liability fund,
In case he should have an accident.
Will Aceentuate. safety.
Grant Hamilton OF the legislative com
mittee OF the American Federation of La
Dor. in speaking 70 the Central Labor
union in Omaha few days ago, made a
point whenNhe said OF the compensation
law you are not merely selling legs
and arms for $500 apiece or whatever the
price may be. but under this law such
safety precautions must develop that Il
will be practically impossible for such ac-
cidents to occur"
State Insurance Commissioner Brian
has made tho following analysis of the
law:
''The workmen's ccmpenEation law,
passed In the 1918 Legislature, having been
suspended from operation owing 10 q
referendum petition being filed with the
secretary OF state, asking that the law
be referred to the voters at the general
election in November. 1914, and as the
unofficial tabulation evidences the adop-
ton Of said law, believe II OF interest TO
the public 20 give n digest OF the most
important features OF the act.
The law viii be In force and effect
within ten days from the g3d day Of
November. at which time the vote ls Of
ficiaily canvassed py the state election
board.
''The law win apply to every employer
In this state employing five or more em-
ployos, except those employing household
domestic servants, farm laborers and
railroad companies doing Interstate COM
merce, who are subject to congress and
not within the provisions OF this law.
Part is 10 framed as to penalize
both the employer and the employo II
they DO not elect to come within the
provisions OF Part II.
Application of Law.
Part u,-Every employer (other than
those excmptedD automatically comes
within the provisions OF the workmen's o
compensation law and viii be governed
by its provisions unless the employer
posts. and thereafter keeps posted. IN a
conspicuous place or places where his
workmen are employed. q written or
printed notice of his election not to be
bound by Part III. and he must file a
duplicate OF such posted notice with the
insurance commissioner. and unless every
smploys gives written or printed notice
60 his employer OF his refusal TO be bound
by Part II and files n duplicate proof
OF the service OF such notice with the In
surance commissioner, he win automatic
ally como within the provisions OF the
law, and be governed by its provisions.
III an employer has given notice not to
accept the provisions OF part II he may
ater waive such notice by posting in a
conspicuous place a written or printed
notice OF withdrawal ana file duplicate
notice with the insurance commissioner
III An employe has given notice not &c
accept the provisions OF part III. he may
later waive such notice by posting In a
writing directed 70 the employer and