Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-05-27
PROSECUTOR SAYS
GOVERNOR STOPPED
LA " ENFORCEMENT
Declares Friends of Goodrich We're ImpIi-
Gated in Violation of Indiana's Work
mems Compensation Act
MOTHER CASE OF GENERALIZATION
"H faithfully exc
cuted"-Article OF

The enforcement of the work
mems compensation law in Indiana
has been suspended in accordance
with a request of Gov. James P.
Goodrich apparently because of the
fact that some of our governors
friends were implicated" according
to a statement made by James l..
Murray, deputy prosecutor under
Claris Adams, prosecutor of Marion
county. in a letter to an interested
party.
The prosecutors of Indiana are de-
pendent upon the state industrial board
for their support, and aid and records,
in these prosecutions" writes Murray
and the members of that board "hesi-
tated to advise or act contrary to the
governors will, especially since he has
assumed direction over all departments
OF the state"
The letter from Mr.. Murray, which is
remarkable for the candor with which
it lays the responsibility for failure to
enforce the law at the feet Of Gov. Good
tion delivered to Mr. Murray at the di-
rection Of the industrial board and per-
tanning to an alleged failure of a Ft.
| Wayne company TO abide by the pro-
visions OF the workmen's compensation
act
The provision Of the Indiana law. ell
forcement Of which was suspended at
the governors request, according to
Murray is regarded as of great i'm
portance to workingmen generally. 1t
compels employers, under penalty Of
heavy fine to make satisfactory pro-
visions for compensa ton TO employees
who may be injured in the course Of
their employment and is often the only
children OF employees
STEIN WRITES TO
INDUSTRIAL BOARD.
On April q Theodore Stein. Jr.. for
merly clerk Of Marion county, wrote the
industrial board OF Indiana calling at
tention 20 the alleged failure Of the
Book Printing Company OF Ft. Wayne
10 comply with those provisions OF the
woTkmen's compensation act, which re-
qulre employers to exempt themselves
from the act or satisfy the industrial
board OF their acceptance OF its provls-
ions in dealing with employees who may
have claims against them for personal
injuries.
In reply to Mr.. STEMS letter the indus
trial board sent the following letter un-
der date Of April 2s:
Theodore Stein, Jr.,
''241 Lemcke Annex,
indianapolis. Ind.
I'VE have your letter advising US that
the Book Printing Company of Z26 East
Columbia street. FIT. Wayne, refuses TO
comply with our compensation law.
"A number of indictments have been
returned against various employers for
failure to comply with our law. James
L. Murray. deputy prosecutor, Fidelity
Trust building. Indianapolis, Ind. has
had charge Of these cases and we would
suggest that you inform him of this
case"
WHAT STEIN
WROTE MURRAY.
Mr. stein thereupon wrote to Mr.. Muir
ray as follows:
"Re:-Bock Printing Company. 226
East Columbia street, FIT. Wayne.
1T has come to our attention that the
above company is not carrying compen,
sation insurance and refuses TO purchase
it or exempt themselves from the COM
pensation act.
1--WE wrote the industrial board of In
diana. giving them this information and
asking their advices on the subject. They
in turn have referred us to you as having
charge of such cases and now we would
appreciate your giving us a statement in
connection with this case. Hoping to
hear from you as soon as possible, we
are
This letter to Mr.. Murray evoked the
reply In which Mr. Murray declared
that prosecutions Of violators of the
workman's compensation law had been
stopped at the request of the governor.
The recent estoppel Of prosecutions
under the laws requiring employers to
make provisions for compensation Of
their employees who suffered personal in
iuries has been a source of considerable
speculation in Indiana.
Approximately a year ago a large
number of indictments were returned in
Marion county against employers who
had failed to comply with the law.
ONLY FEW
PROSECUTED.
OF these cases only a few were prose
cuted, the greater number OF the en-
ployers having satisfied the officials
that they were now complying with the
law and being dismissed, some without
the necessity Of appearing in court
Shortly after these cases were prose-
cuted in the Marion criminal court. the
fee grabbing justices Of the peace of Ma
rion county got busy and led a crusade
against persons whom they accused of
violating this law. In so many in
stances II was revealed that these JUS
tice of the peace court cases were not
based on facts that there was a wave of