Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-03-19
COMPENSATION!
INSIDE STORY
OF BIG FIGHT
Continued from page six.0


this session. Approaching Bates, the
messenger said: "A friend wants you
at his office Immediately, right now.
Come with me-" Bates hesitatingly
obeyed, demanding further details and
explanations, which were hurriedly
given, though it was evident that sus-
picion was deep seated and uppermost
in his mind. Together they reached the
downtown law office of his friend and
whilom counsellor in the early period
of the Bates bill construction-Ben OBJ
penheim. Bates had agreed to listen to
Oppenheim alone, and no one else must
be present Oppenheim's was the mas
ter mind that shaped the legal structure
of the senate bill. He was saturated
with compensation dope" He had
worked with Rockwell and his asso-
ciate committee for weeks he knew
every angle of the game to date, and
after three hours argument and per-
suasion, Bates was clearly illuminated
with the idea that to add to his good
OFFICES towards a compromise through
the introduction of n joint conference
bill would be good political business as
well as an exhibition of patriotism.
| Oppenheim had already drafted in the
rough the famous phrasing in sub-sec-
tion % of section 65 of the bill Just
signed by our governor. Together with
Bates, they repaired to the quarters of
Speaker Alfred and routed him out
after a. m, Labor Leader Cation Join
irg them there; while at the same hour
and only one floor below them in tho
same hotel, Rockwell and a companion
were discussing with Labor Leaders
Young and Muir the QUESTION of forming
new salient in the battle line. OBJ
penheim had invented the phrasing
which eliminated the offensive words
casualty" and Inability" and the sub
section now placed all employers big |
and little, on exactly the same basis. |
No distinguishing remarks remained. |
The principle so stoutly contended for
by the senate sponsors was agreed to |
after final protest by Labor Leader
Cation, which was quickly overthrow !
by Alfred at that conference In the
small hours of the morning, and Or |
penheim retired with Bates to re- write,
during the remaining hours of the
night, the joint conference bill. That
famous subsection will bear repeating
here. 1t is as follows:
Employers shall secure
compensation to their employees
by depositing and maintain
ing with the state insurance man
ager security satisfactory to the
board, securing the payment by
said employer of compensation ac-
cording to the terms of this act.
Such security may consist of n
surety bond or guaranty contract
with any company authorized to do
surety or guaranty business in
Idaho and having a sufficient de-
post with the state treasurer upon
which execution may lawfully be
issued against said company on
behalf of any workman secured
under said bonds or contracts"
The essential structure of the senate
bill was retained and into 1t were i'm
posed administrative features and sche-
dulles of the Bates bill and the Anderson
substitute. In view of the federal su-
preme courts decision coming in only
that day, the act was made compulsory.
Occupations other than hazardous a s
provided in the senate bill, were re- :
tanned; the police power of the statei
declared; the district commissioner
pet administration ,
scheme-to cost $4,000, was replaced ,
by the full board and $4,000 appropri- /
alton attached to be placed to the credit r
or the industrial administration fund ;
and the state insurance fund. The !
Conner Anderson schedule for pay t
nents to beneficiaries had replaced the (
model schedule of the senate bill, thus $
owering the benefits to be paid, to which G
abor representatives had yielded in a
previous conferences, by about Is per Y
cent. The board was given power to a
declare and pre- cribe safety devices h
md the creation of the state insurance | a
'und was Incorporated into the body Of +
he new BILL instead Of a separate in a
'trument as provided in the companion b
ill to the senate measure.
The joint conference committee were
allied to Attorney Oppenheims office s.
It o'clock Wednesday morning 20 o
AXE their first view OF the general pro- a
'isions of the proposed joint conference W
ill, Rockwell having personally gone
ver the changes and substitutions 4;
ull hour in advance of the committee -
Without their knowledge, signified his =
unqualified approval of the sub section :.
s quoted in the foregoing as complete u
Y covering tie principle of equity and .
quality for which Rockwell and the !"
ommittee had so long struggled-the
rinciple that all employers and all II
mployes of the states should stand on y,
he same basis and enjoy the same e.
rivileges of choice as to methods Of q,
occurring. paying and receiving COM .,
ensation under the law ~
The joint committee reported the con-
erence bill with their unanimous APP
roval and recommendation that it do is
ass-and so 1t did with smiles of APP m
roval on all sides by a unanimous In
ote. II
And thu5 was the Rockwell bound la
enate" justified in its stand for prla- ne
plei I'M
HOTEL ARRIVALS. 90 e
IDANHA-L. T. Alexander, Jerome;