Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-23


mems compensation laws were already
in effect, eight more states and the
territory of Alaska have this year
been added by the action of their
legislatures during sessions which
have just come to close. This growth
of the movement toward safeguarding
the welfare of the laborer and his de-
pendents is revealed in the summary
of this years legislative activities.
which has been compiled by The AS
sociated Press. The summary also
shows progress in the adjustment of
child labor and in the direction Of
limiting the working hours Of minors.
The additional states to adopt work.
mems compensation are Wyoming,
Montana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Maine,
Indiana. Vermont and Pennsylvania.
Favorable action toward the enaction
of such q measure was also taken by
the Legislature of Utah, which created
a commission to investigate the ques-
ton and report a bill for the con-
siderauon Of the next legislature. In
one state which considered the matter
New Mexico proposed wokmen's
compensation law passed the House
hut was defeated in the Senate. In
Idaho. the bill was vetoed by the Gov
ernEn several other states revised
them former laws in order TO insure
more efficient operation.
Somewhat different standards as to
the way in which compensation should
he awarded and the law administered
are shown in the measures enacted
this year, but this lack of uniformity
Is also a feature of various laws
previously passed in other states. For
instance. under the new Colorado
statute injured workmen will receive
so per cent of their wages during in
capacity though not to exceed IS a
week In case of total permanent dis
ability. the compensation is payable
through life. When death results
from the accident. the workers family
is TO receive similar amount for six
years with a maximum of $500. In
case of loss of eyes, hands. limbs or
other members, similar payments are
to be made for specified PERIOD,
varying from a few weeks to four
years, dependent upon the nature of
the injury. e.,
Employers are required to insure
payment either in a state insurance
fund to be created or a mutual or
stock insurance company. Admins
tration is placed in the hands of an
industrial commission of three mem
bers who shall adjust disputes and
with authority to make awards il en-
ployers or insurance companies neglect
10 make payments promptly. Court
proceedings are thereby practically
eliminated.
The Maine law, however, awards
her injured workmen payment by the
employer of not more than $40 a week
in case of total disability with
maximum Of $4,000. Heirs in case Of
death receive the same and the scale
of payments for those partly disabled
ranges from 81 to $40 a week.
PENNSYLVANIA provided for the pay
ment Of fifty per cent. of wages, but
not more than $40 or less than IS, with
a maximum total of $4,000. The act is
elective and takes away from the en-
ployers the common law defenses, but
the people will vote in November on a
constitutional amendment permitting
the legislature to make 1t compulsory.
The act creates a state insurance 1uno'
but employers are permitted to pro-
tect themselves in any other form OF
insurance or carry their own risks on
approval of the Bureau OF Workmens
Compensation which will administer
the law. Domestics and agricultural
laborefs are exempted.
The Indiana law provides no state
insurance, but permits the en-
ployer to seek it where he chooses. or
not at all. if he give proof Of his
nfhH ial ability to pay the compenca-
taGf This is fixed at SIS per cent. OF
the average wage not to exceed 500
weeks and in case Of death. burial ex-
penses to the defendants not to exceed
500 and SIS per cent Of the weekly
wage for 800 weeks. Domestic SER
wants and agricultural laborers are ex-
empt and those engaged in interstate
commerce The law is elective with
both employer and employee and is adj
ministered by a state industrial COM
mission.
Fifty per cent. weekly wage not to
exceed 500 weeks is the basis Of the
Oklahoma law.
Iowa and Alabama are the states
which prohibited child labor. Maine
adopted a law under which women and
bows under sixteen employed in mills.
factories and laundries are not per-
mitted to work more than "a hours a
week. Pennsylvania enacted a statute
limiting the hours Of labor Of children
between IA and Is years to 81 hours
week. A feature Of the law is that
all such children employed must 80 to