The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-27
Drafts of the Admins
tration Bills are Pre-
pared for Presenta-
ton to Legislature
SALARIES TOTAL
$111,OOO IN YEAR
Proposed Laws Provide for a General
Rate of Fifty Per Cent. of Regular
Pay AS Compensation for Injuries
Full Discussion Invited

mems compensation bills prepared by
the State administration were made
public last night. The measures are to
be presented in the Legislature next
week and are expected to meet with ap-
proval in their essentials, though
numerous changes in details may be
made before they are whipped into
shape. Governor Brumbaugh has per-
sonally invited the public to extend it
criticisms and to offer suggestions for
improvements.
The bills provide for double COM
mission system, exempt farm and do
nestle service from their operations
and establish a general rate of so per-
cent of wages for compensation for in
juries. The measures set aside
100000 to carry the new system into
effect during the next two years. The
estimated salary list is Sill 200 or
$222,000 for the next two years for
the overhead charges during the ap-
preparation period.
The bills were drafted by Attorney
General Francis Skunk Brown after con-
sultation with employers, employees, Ia
Dor leaders, manufacturers, attorneys
and many other persons as well as
members of the Industrial Accidents
Commission, which has made study
of workmen's compensation during the
last four years.
What the Bills Provide
The proposed legislation includes six
bills and the Constitutional amendment
passed at the last session of the Legis
lature The amendment, which gives
the Legislature the right to enact a com
| ,,,,1Snrx- An low apI ~ limit
| the amounts to be paid is presented to
the General Assembly at this time so
| that if it again passes both Houses it
may be submitted to the voters of the
State next November.
The compensation act as drawn pro-
vides an elective system or a voluntary
contract, fixes a schedule of compensa-
tion and changes materially the CON-
mon law defenseS.
The first of the bills provides for
workmen's compensation: the second
creates the State bureau to enforce the
proposed act; the third establishes
State insurance fund; the fourth regu-
lates the policies of Insurance against
| liability arising under the workmens
compensation act; the fifth authorizes
the creation of mutual liability insur.
ance associations, and the sixth eX-
emptS farm labor and domestic servants
from the compensation act. The drafts
of the bills are accompanied by expana-
tions prepared by the Attorney General
in which he gives reasons for the va
rious provisions and also notes objec-
tions which have been made against
certain parts of the measures.
The Employees Rights
The Workmen's Compensation bill en-
larges the right of an employe to re-
cover in an action at law against his
employer. In case of injury or death of
an employe it shall not be defense of
the employer in any action brought
against him that the injury was caused
by the negligence of fellow -emplove.
or that the employe had assumed the
risks of the injury, or that the injury
was caused in any degree by the negli-
gence of such employe, unless it be
established that the injury was caused
by such employees intoxication or bv
his reckless indifference to danger. The
bill provides that the burden of prov.
ing such intoxication or reckless indif.
ference shall be upon the defendant,
and the question shall be one of fact to
be determined by Jury.
The employer shall be liable for the
negligence of all employees while act
ing within the scope of their employ.
ment, including engineers. ehauffeurs,
miners, mine foremen, fire bosses. mine
superlntendents, plumbers, officers of
vessels and all other employees licensed
by the State or other governmental au-
thority, if the employer be allowed by
the law the right of free selection of
such employees from the class of per.
sons thus licensed.
1t is expressly stated that the act
calls for elective compensation. Con-
tracts made after December 81, 1915,
Will be presumed to accept the new law
unless statement is filed to the con.
trary. Every employer becoming liable
under the act shall insure the payment
OF compensation in the State Work
men S Insurance Fund or in anv au.
thorized mutual association or company.
Compensation for Accidents
The schedule of compensation is as
follows:
For the first 500 weeks after the
fourteenth day of total disability so
4 per cent. of the wages received at the
time OF injury, but the compensation
shall not be more than $40 per week
nor less than IS per week; provided. if
at the time of injury the employe re.
ceives wages less than s5 per week.
then he shall receive the full amount
of such wages per week. Should par.
tial disability be followed by total dis.
ability, the period of 500 weeks shall
) be reduced by the number of weeks
during which compensation was paid
for such partial disability. For dis.
ability partial in character. except in
certain specified cases, so per cent. of
the difference between the wages re.
ceived at the time of injury and the
earning power of the employe thereaft.
: er shall be paid, but such compensation
shall not be more than $40 per week,
. This compensation shall be paid during
the period of such partial disability not
to exceed 800 weeks. Should total dis.
ability be followed by partial disability
the period of 800 weeks shall be reduc.
ed by the number of weeks during