Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-01-17

| upon eHlclencv ana term OF service.
The amounts providoo by the statute
are, however, not sufficient to accom-
| plish the end desired. / recommend
that you grant a further increase in
their compensation from the state.
New Building Projects.
/ Additional buildings are requested
by the University, the State Normal
Schools, Stout Institute and by the
State Board of Control for the Charit-
| able and Penal Institutions.
In view of the present high cost of
material / believe it a wise policy for
the state to defer all building opera
tions, except such as are absolutely
necessary, to a time when material Can
be secured at reasonable prices. and
normal conditions prevail. 1t is gen.
orally conceded that the present high
! prices cannot continue much longer,
| especially If the war in Europe comes
| to an end 1t may reasonably be ex-
| pected that when the war is over there
will be a reaction in business and
some re-adjustment of our economic
conditions will take place. There is
iod of readjustment work will become
scarce and laboring men will be seek
ing employment.
Workmen's Compensation.
In the light of the FIVE years exper-
fence under the Workmen's Compensa-
ton Act that is now available it is gen.
orally agreed that certain schedules
should be revised. There is a wide
difference of opinion ds to what is fair
and equitable in the revision OF many
of the provisions of the act. II would
be unwise to make changes, the wis
dom of which may be doubted. without
serious consideration.
In order that the revision may be
based upon sound and equitable prin-
ciples, recommend a revision at this
session Of those schedules upon which
there is general agreement / further
recommend that you appoint a joint
legislative committee with power to
make a thorough study of the whole
subject of workmen's compensation in
the light OF developed experience and
present day information. The commit
tee should report it's findings to the
governor for transmission to the next
session Of the legislature in order that
that body may have intelligent and re-
liable information upon which to base
a revision Of this important law.
Workmen's Compensation insurance.
The present situation relative to
workmen's compensation insurance is
not at all satisfactory. The compensa-
ton act cOmpels the great majority of
employers of labor in this state to
carry this kind of insurance This act
also takes away from the injured work
man and his dependents the right of
action which he or they formerly had
against the employer. and substitutes
compensation under the act.
The persons most interested in the
quality of this kind of insurance are
the workman or his dependents, who
are not parties to the insurance con-
tract. The continued solvency of com
panies writing this kind of insurance is
OF first Importance. The state should
exercise its power to guarantee such
| solvency to the greatest possible ex-
| tent. The Importance of action with
this end in view is especially apparent
at this time in the light of the fact
that large number of companies writ
| ing workmen's compensation insur-
! ance have gone into liquidation or dis
continued the business during the past
/ year
Rates for this kind of insurance
oh - 4
/ tons of the company to the injured
/ employee or other person entitled to
/ indemnity. The rates charged should
/ be reasonable in order that Injustice
/ may not be done to the employer. who
/ is compelled under the law to buy in
/ surance. The cost of this kind of in
/ suranee should be equitably distribut-
/ ed over the industries and should be
/ collected without discrimination by the
/ insurers carrying this class of insur-
/ ance.
/ I recommend and urge upon you the
/ enactment of a law requiring, under
/ state supervision, cooperation be-
/ tween companies writing workmen's
/ compensation insurance in the work of
making rates, establishing classifca-
/ lions and making inspections. I fur
Their recommend that you vest in the
/ Department Of Insurance and the In
dustrial Comm Is sion power to control
the rates charged for workmens com
pensation insurance as to adequacy
and also as TO reasonableness.
Fire Insurance Rates.
Fire insurance Is now recognized as
a commercial necessity. The prosper
ity of our people is largely dependent
upon their ability to obtain fire insur-
ance protection % uuquestioned quail
ity. To this end we need financially
| strong companies Of our own state as
| well as those of our sister states.
The insurance company is the
agency through which the cost of fire
waste Is distributed over insured prop
erty. while the owner of the property
is the real burden bearer. The insur-
ance company is entitled to a fair and
reasonable profit for the service that it
| renders. II is not entitled to more
than that
therefore recommend and urge
upon you The enactment of a law that
vii require all companies writing fire
insurance on property located in this
state to be members of a rating bu-
reau. to be located in this state. and