Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-09
COMPENSATION
is EXPLAINED
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den would be added to the employer.
At present the general unfamiliarity of
the layman with the act has led many
to believe that a white elephant were
being foisted upon the manufacturer,
but Mr.. Allen assured his audience
that the practical working out of the
law in other States would certainly be
duplicated in Pennsylvania and all
the tangles and difficult points would
be Strengthened out as soon as it is
put in operation.
President Bowman, of the Chamber
or Commerce, introduced the speaker
and announced that his talk would be
the first of series of employers liza
bility and workmen's compensation, to
be held under the direction of the
Chamber. Mr.. Allen briefly discussed
the act and then announced himself
as ready and willing to answer all
questions to the best of his ability.
Discussion of Act
The meeting settled down to an in
formal discussion in which a number
of important points were cleared up.
The gist of some of MIR. Aliens opin-
ions were as follows:
1t is not true that the State Insur-
ance Fund is not a safe investment,
because the entire funds of the Com
monwealth will be used If necessary
to back up any claims on the Insur-
iance Fund. The State can not de-
fault.
In Pennsylvania the law does not
apply to domestic servants or farmers,
but to all others coming under the
class of employers and employees.
Ten referees will be appointed to
settle all claims properly coming un-
der this act. Two of these will be
stationed in Philadelphia and two or
three in Pittsburgh.
The first thing the employer must
do after an accident to one of his en-
ployes is to provide immediate medi-
cal assistance, for which the employer,
If insured, will be reimbursed by the
Insurance Company or State, depend
ing on the insurance taken out.
An employer is not compelled by
the act to take out insurance, but If
he decides against it, he must show
that his business is in first class finan-
cial condition. The law is so worded
that in its operation the safer plan
would be for the employer to be in
sured.
The referee must go to the scene of
the accident and hold his hearing
there, rather than make the employer
go to thim.
Any legal charges incurred by the
employe under the act must be app
proved by. the Workmen's Compensa-
ton Board before the employer will
he compelled to pay. thus insuring
fairness in the matter.
so Per Cent. Basis
Compensation is based on so per
cent. of wages, and under no circum-
stances can exceed ten dollars a week,
for the stipulated period, which diff
fers for different injuries.
Loss of two eyes, or two legs, for
example, will be computed the same
as total disability and compensation
paid on that basis.
If man dies as the result of an in
jury, the employer shall pay to his
child the same amount as he had been
paying to the injured man, until the
child shall reach the age of sixteen.
An employer is not liable except
when the employe is on the employers
premises, with certain exceptions,
as in the case of delivery wagons, esc.
1t would be wise to inquire of an
employe not your own, when entering
upon temporary duties under your jur-
isdiction, as to whether he is provided
for under his employers insurance,
against accident, before you allow him
to undertake any duties. in the per-
formance of which you are responsible
for his safety.
How About Eva?
Manager Hopkins, of several local
theaters, inquired whether he would
be liable under the following assump-
ton: Suppose Eva Tanguay should
be booked to appear at the Majestic,
and she should have an accident,
would have to pay $1,500 q week for
five hundred weeks?" The crowd ap-
preciated the remarks and howl of
laughter greeted Mr.. Hopkins sally
to which Mr.. Allen replied that in his
opinion the booking agency, and not
Mr.. Hopkins would be liable for such