The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-12-18
SEN. HAMER WRITES
Elucidates Points in WOrkman's Com
pensation Law Operative in
State of Minnesota.
Draws Comparison Between This Law
and That of North Dakota to
Latter's Disadvantage.
Milaca, Mimi, Dec. II, 1919.

Milaca, Mimi, Dec. II, 1919.
To the Editor of the Union:
Since we wrote the last communica-
ton relating to the workman's compen-
sation bill, and which appeared in the
Milaca Tribune, it has been observed
that nothing was said about the good
points of the bill What was therefore
lacking, we will now furnish in the
language of one of its friends, viz,
C. j. Buell..
In 'The Minnesota Legislature of
1919" he says on page ID: "Organized
labor in the cities worked in co-opera-
ton with the farmers and placed in
nomination candidates pledged to sup
port difnite labor program, the most
important feature of which was de-
mand for state administration of the
workman's compensation law, with
the object of securing greater benefits
for the injured workman at less cost
to the employers. A claim was made
that these results had been accom-
plished in Ohio, and about twenty other
states, where state administration had
been tried" See also page 69-7O for
the following:
"This bill created state board to
receive and administer the money paid
by employers for the benefit of injured
workmen, and was regarded as one Of
the most important of all measures be-
'Ssre1the legislature. It was based on
~ Ohio law which the workmen claim
vs. been administered at cost Of
,Sout 8 " per cent, while in Minnesota,
Ehere the risks have been carried by
,cne casualty companies, the expense
has heretofore been nearly 40 per cent.
It simply puts the state in the place
now occupied by the casualty compa-
MES. The employers for the present
will pay the same premiums as they
now do. 1t is contended that the state
can save most of the expense that now
goes to solicitors, general agents, for
maintenance of thirty or forty expen-
sive Offices and thus give the injured
Workmen much more of the benefits"
He says that Mr.. Howard made the
most telling argument for the bill and
quotes him as saying: 1T (the state)
now proposes to so administer the law
that the employers will pay less and
the injured workmen get more. Or If
the employers continue to pay the
same then the workmen will get very
much more" So much for the bill.
Before taking for granted all that
is thus claimed, let the following facts
be considered:
First. The bill would not raise the
rate of COMPENSATION, which is now
fixed at &c 2-3 per cent, so the conten-
ton that the workmen would get very
much more is wholly gratuitous.
Second. The bill would not neces-
sarily reduce expenses for the work
man in securing compensation. The
department Of labor and industries in
Minnesota was created some 30 years
ago. Among its duties is that Of pro-
tecting the health, lives, limbs and
rights of employees.
In bulletin No. 16 of the department.,
under Department Of Labor Func
TONS" we read: We are pleased to
record that since the publication Of
the last bulletin there has been an in
creasing resort on the part of en-
ployers and insurance companies on
the good offices of the department in
bringing about an informal adjust
ment Of compensation claims. There
is still, however, much opportunity
for the further extension of this ser
vice on the part of the department..
We are especially DESTROYS of rem
dering assistance in all fatal cases,
particularly in those where there is
no point of dispute. Because of the
considerable amount of money in
volved, it is natural that widows should
wish to be certain that all the legal
papers in the settlement are correct.
There have, therefore, been many in
stances where attorneys are engaged
for this work, and are paid considera-
BILE amounts of money
The intent of the law is that COM
pensation should reach the dependents
substantially in the amounts fixed by
the statute. The department of labor
is fully equipped to counsel dependents
as well as injured employees and it
is unnecessary that any amount should
gthe relatively small amounts allowed
for compensation. We therefore again
urge all persons interested in the
welfare of labor to give wider pub
Lefty to the work which the depart
ment of labor is prepared to do for
compensation clainients.
we 1eel IL Will ~De wen 10 repeat III
this bulletin the analysis Of the du-
ties laid upon the department by the
compensation act, which are:
First. To advise an employer or an
employe or his dependent Of his or her
rights under the act
Second. To assist in adjusting diff
ferences between the employee or his
dependent and the employer.
Third. To act as representative in
court of one of the parties to COM
pensation proceeding.
Fourth To observe in detail the
operation Of the act throughout the
state.
The Minnesota law provides for and
anticipates the settlement of compen-
sation between the parties, with the
assistance of the commissioner Of
labor, the settlement to be substan-
tally In accordance with the provisions
of the law. But in case Of failure to
agree they may submit it to the dis
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