The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-27
81 STATES ENFORCE
COMPENSATION LAW
Territories Of Alaska and
Hawaii Also indemnify
Injured Workmen.
WYOMING ACT ILLIBERAL

WAsH,NGroN, Dec. ga bulletin Is
sued by the Bureau of Labor stat sites
shows the legislation passed In 1915
IS on the compensation Of orkme
for injuries received in the course OF
employment.
The legislation Of 1914 included Ken
lucky. Louisiana and Maryland. One
of these laws. that Of Kentucky. was
declared unconstitutional before II came
into operation. That Of Maryland super
seeded an earlier statute reported AS un-
workable. The new laws Of 1915 cover
eight states: Colorado. Indiana. Maine.
Montana, Oklahoma. Pennsylvania. Ver-
mont and Wyoming besides the terri
tories Of Alaska and Hawaii.
The legislation Of 1914 included also
pensation system for employees Of the
Panama Canal and the Panama Rail-
road. while that Of the current year In
cludes a similar order extending the
Federal compensation act OF 1905 to
workmen engaged OH or about the Gov
m railway in Alaska.
With the legislation Of these two
years t~hirty-one States and the Terri
tories OF Alaska and Hawaii now have
compensation laws. A Federal statute
covers also abou, one-quarter OF the
civilian employees Of the United States.
All of this legislation has been enacted
since 1905 and practically all of the
existing legislation in the States since
1910.
Compulsory Insurance.
OF the new laws Of 1914 and 1915
one. that OF Wyoming. is classed as a
compulsory insurance law. while those
OF Maryland and Oklahoma are COM
pulsory compensation laws. In the other
eight States the law permits the en-
pioyer TO elect Or reject the compensa-
lion act. In case he rejects II. however,
he Is deprived OF the customary defences
under the liability laws.
Some Of the newer laws have certain
features OF special interest. The okla
homa statute for example. applies only
to cases of non-fatai accidents. while
in Wyoming all awards. whether for
death or disability. are IN the form OF
lump sum payments arbitrarily fixed by
the statute without regard to the earn
Ing capacity OF the injured person.
The Alaska statute also provides fol
lump sum payments. except for tempo
rary disability. Legislation elsewher,
has very generally provided for periodi'
cal payments graduated according L
wage loss and this method II favored
by practically all authorities.
or the new laws OF 1914 n 1915 tn
Wyoming act Ia the least liberal. tn,
compensation for death being limited I,
funeral expenses OF $50 and a maximum
death benefit of $4,000. In comparison
with his the Colorado statute provides
for n maximum of $4,000, while IN,
maximum OF the Alaska statute 1
$4,000.
Colorado Law Iliberal.
! In cases OF temporary disability tn
Colorado law is more illiberal than an,
other, as 1t provides no compensation
for disabilities not extending beyoI,
three weeks. In other States the wal,in,
time has usually been fixed at one o
two weeks. no State except Colorad,
fixing "A longer period.
In the legislation of 1914 and 1el
special boards or commissions for ad
ministration continue to be preferred. IN
laws Of Alaska and Wyoming being tn
only ones enacted during 1915 whicl
do not have this provision.
In Maine. Maryland. Oklahoma an,
Vermont the administration authorize
receive no powers other han those re
lating to the administration of the com
p%ensation acts. In Hawaii county board
with functions restricted 10 The com
pensation act are provided for. In Lou
isiana the law is administered by tn
. courts.