Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-29
BY the Ex-Committecman


days, but also provisions clarifying
the relations of contractors and sub
contractors and increased authority
for the board in the matter of ex-
empted employers. There is also a
clause inserted which will give the
board more power in what is term
ed the veXed question" of depen-
dency.
One of the features of the
changes is a supplemental act which
provides that ANY employe who is
engaged in agricultural or domestic
service may agree with his employer
TO accept" the provisions of the
original act. This agreement must
be in writing. 1t will enable farm
laborers and servants to come under
the act If they so elect and the en-
ployer is willing.
| In regard to contractors it Is
urged in behalf of the proposed
change that an employer can require
a contractor to produce q certificate
of insurance, which 1t is claimed
| would protect owners of O premises
| occupied as n residence from pay
ment of compensation to the en-
| ploye of q jobbing carpenter or
plumber making repairs or improve
ments for instance. In regard to
exempted employers the board
be given right to call for such self
insurance as would maintain a re-
serve in line with Insurance depart
ment requirements. The new rates
would accord with those in States
adjoining Pennsylvania except New
Jersey which is considering such a
change. Children's compensation is
increased from % to 35 per cent.
with a maximum of 65 per cent;
widows to 40 per cent. with advances
for parents while grandparents are
given the same right as brothers and
sisters. Claim for burial expenses
may be made against employer. The
board is given power to order pay
ment to any minor dependent which
it is said will obviate necessity of
having guardians named for small
amounts 1t is stated that depen-
dency is settled by providing where
an employe who has been a member
OF a household of his parents and
who has within the last six months
PRIOR to the accident or death con-
tributed any part of his earnings to
its maintenance shall be conclusively
presumed to have been a depen-
dent"
The periods in which compen-
sation is payable in case OF a widow.
wfdower, parent or grandparent has
been advanced from 500 to 400
weeks and 1t is stipulated that If a
widow remarries she is to be given a
lump payment in lieu of part of
compensation then payable. It is
claimed that insurance companies
with the greatest experience in such
matters are favorable to this provi-
sion. In the recodification the DOW
ers OF the board in review have been
enlarged and changes made broaden
ing powers OF courts. Numerous
administrative changes have been
made.
National Committeeman A.
Mitchell Palmer has written from
the Attorney Generals Department
endorsing the movement for the
Philadelphia city charter revision.
This is as expected and much will be
made of it. The Democratic strength
in the whole Legislature is less than
thirty.
Mrs. Walter L. Hill, Scranton's
first woman school director, has re-
signed and 7. 3. Rodham has been
chosen in her place.
just now punch boards seem to
be occupying the attention of Ches-
ter police probers.
The Philadelphia Press takes
Senator Ware to task this way: SEN
| ator Vare's ridicule of business ad
| ministratfon for the municipality
seems hardly becoming, in view Of
the fact that the administration he
has given us is purely business ad-
ministration; it is in the bonding and
contracting business up to it's ears.
The Senator may not quite realize
the situation, but what seems to be
the public demand is an administra-
ton that will do business for all the
people, and not for selected private
interests.
John Keim stauffer, Reading
councilman, who has engaged in a
series of rows with Mayor Filbert, is
said to be contemplating running for
mayor on his own hook.
Lively times are ahead for the
House Military Committee has re-
ported favorably to the lower branch
of the Legislature the John R. K.
Scott bill for military training
amended so that ii contains almost
word for word the provisions of the
DaiX Senate bill as it was amended
some weeks ago. 1t is the idea to
have hearings on the subject to as
certain the sentiment in the State.
| lOTlB1nally, Ine various military
training bills provided for a course
in all high and normal schools and
colleges in line with the War De-
partment ideas. but it was found
| that the cost of instructors would
| run into millions even If the govern
ment did furnish arms and assign in
the cost of the camps. The feature
wherein the Scott bill, as amended,
differs from the Daix bill is that 1t
makes it optional for the commits
sion. which it creates. to establish
courses. The Daix bill makes it
mandatory. The comission is to be
com posed of the Commissioner of
Health. Adjutant General, Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction and
such other citizens as may be named
by the Governor. Authority is given
to employ "a supervisor of military
and health instruction and training
and such others as may be needed.
An appropriation of $780, 900 is pro-
vided, the act to become effective
on September /. The commission
may establish summer camps and
may exempt members of any re-
ligious seat from the training.
The upshot of the matter may
he that the schools of the State will
establish courses of preliminary
physical training such as men had