The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-08-12
NEW CONF PENSA-
TON LAW MUST
Be OBSERVED
COMMISSION MAKES IMPORTANT
RULINGS ON PROVISIONS OF
NEW LAW WHOLESALER
MUST COMPLY.

/ OkldnOmd CllN, aug. 1l.-Al WnOIt-
sale houses, regardless of whether
! they are equipped with machinery,
must prepare to comply with the
workmen's compensation act which
becomes effective September /, ac-
! cording TO a ruling announced Tues
day by Chairman A. A. Mcdonald of
| the state industrial commission. 9th
| er opinions were given out by the
! board at the same time, holding that
city fremen and policemen, as well
as employees in utility departments OF
! cities, are eligible to compensation
when injured in the performance of
their duty. and that employees in Of
flee buildings where power elevators
or steam machinery come under the
provisions Of thelaw.
The decision in regard to whole
sale concerns was reached by the
board after considerable discussion.
Whether wholesalers were to provide
compensation for their employees was
not hinted by the legislature, and
the question was left e1ti: ely to the
commission.
"The legislature explicitly proyid-
ed that retailers should be exempt,
and we took that fact into consider
alton in arriving at the conclusion
that wholesalers should provide COM
pensation," said Mr.. Mcdonald "lt
would appear to be highly reasonable
that if the legislature had intended
wholesalers should not come under
this laws regulations it would have
said So in the law nasmuch as a
direct provision exempted the retail
ers."
Those manufacturers and other en-
ployers who will be required to fur
nish compensation for their employ
es had better begin making arrange
ments, as the law goes into operation
September /, Chairman Mcdonald
said.
THE law provides that employers
who fail to be ready by September |
shall pay a penalty of 81 a day for
each employe, and we intend to en-
force that clause" the chairman
said. Moreover, the law specifically
says that in the event an employer
who has failed to provide for COM
pensation for injured employees, and
is sued for damages, shall not be
allowed to set up the ordinary com
mon law defenses."
Up until Thursday rot single
company had taken out a workmen's
compensation insurance Iolicy, and
not single bond had been filed by
concern which has elected to as
sumo its own insurance, according to
the records of the industrial com
mission. Just three weeks remain for
them to make ready,
The ruling that municipalities must
arrange to care for inid.cd police
men and fireman will work no hard
ship on cities, Chairman Mcdonald
pointed out, for the reason that the
law holds that bodies which have the
privilege OF leyying taxes shall not
be required to take out insurance,
nor post a bond An additional rea-
son why cities will not object to this
arrangement is that in most cases
policemen and firemen iniared in the
performance of their duty continue to
draw salaries regardless cG the fact
there has been no law compelling the
payment.
One of the most serious questions
that has arisen in connection with
the workmen's compensation law, and
which has not been soly, j even yet,
is that confronting coal and other
mine operators. Despite several con-
ferences with the industrial commits
sion. mine men have been unable TO
decide how they will comply with the
law. The premiums insurance com
panies will charge for afCrding pro
lection TO this class Of wCrkmen VIII
be so heavy as to prove almost pro-
hibitiye. IL Is feared. ana q an oper-
ator assumes his own Insurance one
serious explosion or accident would
bankrupt him. Severa! insurance
companies have announced that they
will he willing to accept mine work
crs, but their rates have not been
given.
oil producers have not determined
whether TO assume their own insur-
ancc or take out policies. II is
thought. however. that re majority
of the large producers viii furnish
bond and carry their own insurance
other opiriions probably will be
given by the commission within a
few DAYS.
Consultation - the starting point
-.rf.u. NT..uDaa IN hp