Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
D. c. COMPENSATION
LAW IS IN EFFECT
Insurance Act Affects About
10000 Employers and
10000 Workers.

The Vorkmen'S compensation fnsur.
ancs act for the District of Colunbis
went INTO effect after midnight last
night
Based on the longShoremen'S CON-
peusation act and that of New York
State. the new legislation makes man.
6atoYy upon ali Washington employers,
with few exceptions. insurance for then
workers II provides that worker
falling within its provisions shall re-
ccive not exceeding S25 week, being
generally two-thirdS Of his pay. while
disabled by any accidental injury
arising out of and in the course Of his
employment.
Should worker be killed in the line
Of his duties. or die from such injuries,
his beneficiary, under the law. would
receive up to $500 including $500
funeral expenses. The insurance COM
pany or employer is required to pay all
hospital, medical and surgical eX-
penSeS.
Empleye Escapes Cost.
These benefits viii not cost the en-
plove one cent under the legislation,
and those employing only one person
are bound TO insure their workers. The
law defines a Washington employer"
as any person carrying on any en-
ployment in the District OF Columbia. :"
and directs that should an employer
fail 10 comply with the new law. he
would be liable to a fine of not more
than $1,000 or imprisonment for not
mere than one year. or both, III the
discretion Of the court.
The United States Employees Com
penSation Commission, which win ad-
minister the new law through its dep
uty commissioner for washington, Rob-
ert J. Hoage. who was recently appoint
ed. will start checking up in few
days. and employers found failing to
comply with the law win be certified to
the district attorneys office for prose-
cution. The law requires that notices
setting forth that the law has been
complied with be prominently displayed
in an employers place Of business.
Thousands Affected.
It is estimated that 10000 employees
and some 10000 workers viii be af-
fected by the new law The District
workn1enS compensation act does not
apply to Federal and District Govern
ment employees. for they are cared for
by the act of September Z. 1916.
In a recent communication to en-
ployers in the District of Columbia,
the United States Employees Compen-
Sation Commission pointed out: IF
YOU employ one or more employees in
your trade, business. occupation or pro-
fes 3cn. you are subject to the law,
unless the employee be engaged in agri-
culture or domestic service. or by GER
tain common carriers by railroad or as
master or member Of the crew of any
vessel"
Must Accept Rates.
IF an employer has compiled with
the law, the employe and his depend
ents must accept the rates Of compen-
sation fixed in the law and cannot sue
the employer for damages. If, how
ever, the employer has not complied
with the Law, the employe can elect
to collect the compensation from the
employer or TO sue for damages IN court
and the employer cannot defend on th1
ground Of negligence of the employe or
q fellow servant. or that the ernploye
assumed the risk.
Deputy Commissioner Hoage, whose
office is in the investment Building.
Fifteenth and K streets, viii directly
administer the new Law, hold hearings
when necessary make awards which the
insurance company must pay, and gen
orally see that the employe gets what
he is entitled to and that justice is
done" Those dissatisfied with the
decisions the deputy commissioner may
hand down may appeal 70 the Supreme
Court Of the District Of Columbia for
review OF the compensation order.