Evening star., 1928-06-14
EMPLOYERS LEARN
INSURANCE DUTIES
Judge Warwick of U. S. Com
mission Explains New Com
penSation Law.

Employer ami employe alike will
benefit by the workmen's compensation
law. which becomes effective July and
which is mandatory on virtually every
employer in the District, Judge w. w.
Warwick. chief counsel of the United
States Employees Compensation Com
mission. declared yesterday afternoon IN
explaining provisions Of the act to a
gathering of business men and women.
Speaking at a meeting held under the
auspices Of the industrial interests and
insurance committees of the Board OF
Trade at the Chamber of Commerce OF
the United States Judge Warwick
termed the law, modelled closely after
the longshoremen's act in other luris-
Cictions. the best system that could be
devised for caring for industrial acci-
dents"
Under the new law the employers
will have to pay premiums for the in
surance provided, but an employe in
tired in the course of his work is pre-
vented from suing his employer for
damages. the speaker explained. On the
other hand. the employe has the aSsur-
ance Of some compensation for injuries,
Of medical attention and hospital care
II necessary, though he cannot sue for
large sums, charging negligence on the
pdEl o. Ills tIllplDAGis Ile saAu
Advises TO Include All
Hundreds Of queries concerning rela-
tions of the employer end employe,
where it is doubtful If tho law would
apply. are flooding the Compensation
Commission. Judge Warwick said, but.
while there are some exemptions under
the District law. his advice to en-
ployers was to include all their work
ers in the insurance pending definite
rulings on points Al issue. Otherwise,
he warned. an employer would be leav-
ing the door wide open for damage
suit from an employe subsequently
injured and who later was found TO
be cornpensatable under the law.
The speaker said the commission is
planning shortly 10 issue set OF
rules on Interpretation OF the act.
Eventually. he added. the actions OF
the commission in administering the
Law would be based On court decisions
on close cases.
The law exenpts domestics and agri-
cultural workers. The commission is
being pressed for definition Of these
positions.
During an open forum following his
address Judge Warwick expressed the
opinion that one doing housework In
pensatlon for injuries uncer this law,
but that those hired for similar work
in hotels. apartments, boarding houses,
or even charitable institutions must
be insured He said a greenhouse
worker vas regarded ss All agricultural
worker and was exempt, but that
landscape worker was not.
The family chauffeur. who now and
again is called on TO serve his en-
p1oyer al the iatter's place OF business,
must be insured, though he other
Hsse would be classed as a domestic, the
Judge said.
Includes Newsb0ys.
The newsie, selling his papers for
penny profits. becomes an independent
contractor under Judge Warwick's in
depreciation Of the compensation law
and therefore would not be subject TO
fs1e insurance. This applies TO those
newsbcys who buy papers from more
than one publisher for the purpose Of
retailing them for profit
Nelghborhood delivery boys and those
selling the product of but one news
paper. however. are employees under the
wording of the Law ard must be in
GsaYec either by their route agents or
the publishing company. 1t was ex-
piais7ed.
Judge Warwick also explained that In
addition TO having the privilege Of Sc
iectiag an insurance company 10 insure
his employees. financially responsible
employers. those having adequate real
IS holdings, might become "seIf-in-
slaTers" by posting securities or surety
bonds with proper officials.
II was also explained that con-
tractor must provide insurance for the
employees Of his s1bcontYactor in case