South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-25
COMMISSION SEEKS TO
PREVENT ACCIDENTS
Indiana'S Workmen'S Compen-
SatiOn Act Praised by
Legislators.
special to The News-Times.


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Nov. "a
Imitation is the sincerest sort OF
aattery. The people at home have
commented much upon the Indiana
public service law and methods of
procedure by the Indiana commits
sion. There has been much COM
ment in the state newspapers on the
excellent workmen's compensation
law and the business and economic
manner in which this commission
has gone about its task. Governors
and commissions of other states have
been studying both these Indiana
statutes and the work Of the two
commissions.
The public service law of Indiana
has been copied in many states.
Many Of the rulings made by this
commission have been followed in
other states. much correspondence
on these subjects being in the office
at the Indiana state house.
The Indiana workmen's cOmpen-
sation law has been copied in some
states and the work of the commits
sion is receiving wide attention.
Letters have just been received from
the commissioners of Pennsylvania
and Montana that are interesting.
Pennsylvania law is effective jan
uary first and that commission asks
permission TO reproduce the most
important parts of the Introductory
Indiana bulletin as its very own. The
Montana law became effective July
first and that commission asks per-
mission to reproduce the same In
diana bulletin as an original Montana
document in it's first published re
port, because the Montana COM
mission has not been in operation
long enough to be advanced as you
are in Indiana" The writer OF that
letter did not know Indiana did not
get to work until September. In
diana is farther advanced in this
work than any of the other states.
particularly in excellent results
shown and in the exceedingly econ
omic management.
Prevents Accidents.
The industrial board Of Indiana,
having in charge the carrying out
# the provisions Of the workmen's
compensation law, considers that its
most important duty has not been
discharged when it has adjusted
death and personal injury claims
resulting from accidents TO work
men. Far more important than this
does il consider the prevention Of
accidents I'VE desire again TO call
the attention of the people to the
fact that the prime object Of our
law was the prevention Of accidents
first. The title Of our law is AN act
to promote the prevention OF indus
trial accident That such is the
dominant purpose Of the act is man
ifested by the fact the rights. duties
and powers Of the state board of in
spection. are transferred to the in
dustrial board. and that this board
is charged with the enforcement Of
the inspection laws Of the state
VIII Suspect Factories.
The industrial board has annOunc-
ed that il will make inspections as
thorough as possible and calls upon
all employers and employees TO CO.
operate in this important part Of the
fact that the installation of safety
devises and all serious attempts on
the part Of employers would natur-
ally be considered by the board in
any adjustments. IT is just as
strongly pointed out that in case il
is shown that carelessness of the in
jured employe was TO blame for &C
cident. that fact must count against
the employe
Please remember" say the men,
bers of the board as a parting ad-
monition to both interested parties.
An interesting case has been set
tied. Edward ]. Felker was injured
in Stedman's foundry at Aurora. He
lost an eye and also had his face
badly disfgured. The company
claimed that for the loss Of the eve
ne was entitled only TO 100 weeks
pay. Felker was satisfied with 200
weeks for disagreement The board
decided that Toe weeks was not
enough. II was held that the board
might be justified in allowing 100
weeks for an eve and 200 weeks for
Disagreement but since Felller de-
clared satisfaction with zoe weeks
that was the ruling of ths board