The Glenwood post., 1916-01-01
CORRESPONDENCE FROM
THE STATE CAPITOL
Denver, Dec. 81, 1915.


Few people realize the vast and ben
eficent changes that have been brought
about in the relations of capital and
labor by the State Compensation In
surance law and by the Industrial Com
mission established by the late Repub-
lican legislature. 1t will be remem-
bered that they are distinctively Re-
publican measures and were forced
through the legislature by Governor
Carlson and Speaker Stewart over both
the secret and open opposition of the
Democracy. These two measures have
been in active operation since August
1st.
Previous to that time an injured
man knew it would be useless TO sue
his employer unless he could prove that
the accident was due to his employers
negligence, and that his own careless
| ness was not contributing cause.
Even when the workman had good
case it was to the advantage OF the
employer to deny all responsibility I'M
til a court had decided that damages
| were due As result, the victim of an
accident had to depend upon his own
savings to support himself and provide
| for medical treatment while he was
disabled and was obliged frequently
to wait years before receiving indem-
nity. And when it was at last received,
more than likely he had to split 1t
with the lawyer who took his case.
All this is now changed. Since Aug
ust / the employer has been required
| +, provide medical attention to an en'-
ployee injured at his work, and 20 give
all necessary care, including hospital
services for thirty days following the
injury. In addition to this the injured
man has compensation paid at regu-
lar intervals, commencing with the
fourth week of his disability and con-
tinuing as long as he is disabled.
| should death result from the accident
the workman widow and children re-
ceive monthly pension for six years,
amounting in all to $4,000.
From August / to November ~, OIL
this wear, 4,200 accidents were report
ed to the commission and in every
case, it is believed, the law has been
strictly observed, in nearly every case
without the question having been raisco
of s'Who was to blame.'
OF these 4,2OO accidents, forty-fivc
have resulted in death and in most OF
the cases the compensation is all the
dependent ones had left to them.
The Industrial commission act also
makes the commission permanent
committee of arbitration for disputes
| with regard to wages or hours OF lapof.
Either party must give thirty days no.
tice of strike, lockout or any change
affecting wages or hours. During this
thirty davs the commission has time TO
make an investigation and passions
have time to cool.
A dozen disputes have so far been
brought to the attention of the com.
mission and with one exception they
have been settled amicably and salts
factorily to all concerned.
A demand for higher wages on the
part of several thousand Denver & Rio
Grande employees is now before them.
The commission is not sure whether it
has jurisdiction here, on account OF the
interstate character of the road, but ii
it is decided they have, they will leave
| NO stone unturned to prevent strike.
The question of who shall be chosen
delegates to the Republican national
convention is beginning to excite
good deal of attention. Among those
| who have been mentioned as possible
candidates are Governor Carlson, p. b.
Stewart, DR.. Work, Fred Roof, Irving
Howbert, Bulkley Wells, A. A. Reed,
John +. Vivian, G. W. Waterman, Sam
Nicholson, /. N. Stevens, F. ID. Cathn,
Allison Stocker and A. NJ. Stevenson.
1t seems to be generally conceded
that the state convention that selects
the delegates at large should not oe
held until within very short time q
the national convention, and that Colo
! RADIOS delegates should 90 uninstructed
and should be men of open minds who
would not be influenced by past preju-
dices, but who would vote for and en-
Enthusiastically support the man who
would make the strongest candidate.