The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-23
VERMONT INCLUDED
IN LIST OF SEVEN
That Have Adopted Workmen's Compen-
sation During the Year, the Total
Number of Such States Now
Being 80.

{ New York, June 23.--To the list of 2
l states in which workmen's compensation
laws were already in effect, eight NOR
states and the territory of Alaska hav
this year been added by the action o
their legislatures during sessions which
have just come TO close. This growtl
J OF the movement toward safeguarding
the welfare of the laborer and his activ
tiles, which has been compiled by Tho
Associated Press. The summary also
shows progress in the adjustment oil
child labor and in the direction of limit,
ing the working hours of minors.
The additional states TO adopt work.
mems compensation are Wyoming, Mon
tana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Maine, In.
diana, Vermont and Pennsylvania. Fa.
vorable action toward the enaction OF
such a measure was also taken by the
legislature of Utah, which created a
commission to investigate the question
and report bill for the consideration
of the next legislature. In one state
which considered the matter, New Mex
| wv ptoPcScu Woih IHtu tOIH
| law passed the House but was defeated
in the Senate. In Idaho, the bill was
vetoed by the governor. Several other
states revised their former laws in order
to insure more efficient operation.
Somewhat different standards as to
the way in which compensation should be
| awarded and the law administered are
shown in the measures enacted this
year, but this lack of uniformity is also
feature of various law previously
passed in other states. For instance,
under the new Colorado statute injured
workmen will receive 50 per cent of
their wages during incapacity, though
not to exceed So week. In case of
total permanent disability, the compen.
sation is payable through life. When
death results from the accident. the
workers family is to receive a similar
amount for six years with maximum
of $500. In case of loss of eyes, hands,
limbs or other members, similar pay
ments are to be made for specified
period, varying from few weeks to
four years, dependent upon the nature
OF the injury.
Employers are required to insure pay
ment either in a state insurance fund |
to be created or a mutual or stock in |
surance company. Administration is |
placed in the hands of an industrial com
mission of three members who shall ad- |
just disputes and with authority to |
make awards if employers or insurance
companies neglect to make payments
promptly. Court proceedings are there
by practically eliminated.
The Maine law, however. awards no.
injured workmen payment by the en-
ployer of not more than $40 week in
case of total disability with maximum
of $4,000. Heirs in case of death re-
ceive the same and the scale of pay
ments for those partly disabled ranges
from 81 TO $40 week.
Pennsylvania provided for the pay
ment of 80 per cent. of wages, but not
more than so or less than S.. 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
amendment permitting the
legislature to make it compulsory. The ,
Jet creates state insurance fund. but
Employers are permitted to protect them ;
elves in any other form o. insurance
u carry their own risks on approval OF
he bureau of workmen's compensation
which viii administer the law. Domes. :
les and agricultural laborers are ex- Y
mpted. ~
The Indiana law provides no state in "
urance, but permits the employer TO u
eek il where he chooses. or not at all. p
he give proof of his financial ability l.
D pay the compensation. This is fixed q
{ IS per cent. of the average wage q
OF TO exceed 500 weeks and in case OF a
eath burial expenses 10 the defendants y
OF 10 exceed 500 and IS per cent. OF 4
he weekly wage for 300 weeks. Domes. n
L servants and agricultural IL orers y
re exempt and those ngaged in inter d
ate commerce. The law is elective
it'll both employer and employe and is "a
by a state industrial com. IL
ission. u
Fifty per cent. weekly wage not TO tx. as
ed 500 weeks is the basis OF the Ok u
homa law. 81
Iowa and Alabama are the states Sc
hich prohibited child labor. Maine &C
loptcd law under which women and II
US under 10 employed in mills. fac he
ries and laundrics are not permitted ~
work more than ~ hours week. "
enacted a statute limit.
2 the hours Of labor Of children be-
zen Ia and Is wears 90 u hours =
EEK. 4 feature OF the Law IL that all IT.
en- children employed must 90 60 yo- tal
tionsl school AZ least eight hours a an
ok. which mu-. be computed in the 81 Go
urs, thus making the actual working III
urs 43. II further provides that no Ba
'ssengers under p years can be en- inG
wed BY a telegraph. telephone or mes :
lger company after : O'Clock AZ night. :
4 that no child under " can sell
wspapers. A statute along similar Il
~ fixing ct ~ years the minimum ]
p Of neusboFs and other minors en-
red IN street trades. wss adopted hy
liiornia. In North Carolina. bills D.
ned to enable officials bettef - On.
ce the present child labor laws failed
pass "A
enacted bill prohibit "
the employ ment 81 women and chill.
IN overtime for the purpose ~ max
up for time lost on Il. legal holiday
another requiring industrial estab-
hnaents 20 furnish fresh and purs
hiking gatsr fnr employers and aesou-