RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION The Workmen's Compensation Law was hastily constructed and was the result of compromises in some directions. It also imposed new and untried conditions upon the industrial life of this state. Under the circumstances, it was but natural that in the practical operation of the law numerous flaws and omissions should be found. Among other things, it was found that many hazardous employments were not covered by law, although they should have been. Then, too, ambiguities and uncertainties as to the meaning of certain sections of the law have arisen, while the courts have by their decisions interpreted the law differently than the Commission, and rendered desirable certain changes in the law. The Commission has, therefore, suggested a large number of amendments, both to the Workmen's Compensation Law and to the Labor Law, and has submitted these suggestions to the Special Joint Committee of the Legislature appointed to investigate the need of amendments to these laws. It is not the purpose of the Commission to discuss these various amendments in this place. The proposed amendments and the reasons therefor are submitted herewith and made a part hereof. FINANCIAL Appended hereto are tables showing (a) the appropriations, payments made and expenses incurred for the Department of Labor and the Workmen's Compensation Commission to carry on the work of those departments for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1915, as well as the re-appropriations of unexpended balances appropriated to the Industrial Commission for the maintenance of the consolidated department; (b) a detailed statement of the expenditures of the Department of Labor from October 1, 1914, to May 31, 1915, prior to consolidation; of the expenditures of the Workmen's Compensation Commission from January 1, 1915, to May 31, 1915, when it was merged with the Department of Labor, and of the expenditures of the Industrial Commission from June 1, 1915, to September 30, 1915; and (c) a statement showing the cost of administering the Workmen's Compensation Law from October 1, 1914, to September 30, 1915, including the entire cost of the former Workmen's Compensation Commission and that part of the cost of the Industrial Commission that is properly chargeable to the enforcement of the Compensation Law, making an equitable apportionment of the general administrative salaries and rents that are charged to the compensation cost. It has been deemed necessary that a separation be made of such charges in view of the provision in the Compensation Law that after January 1, 1918, the cost of administering the Compensation Law shall be assessed back upon the various insurance carriers. The total cost of operating the two departments separately to May 31, 1915, and jointly from June 1, 1915, to the end of the fiscal year was $1,425,000. The Commission has endeavored to so reorganize the work that it will be able to operate the consolidated department for the coming year for about $1,225,000. From the information already at hand it is apparent that it will be well within those figures. The Commission, therefore, notwithstanding certain increased functions, will operate the Department efficiently at a saving of at least $200,000. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS, PAYMENTS MADE THEREFROM, AND EXPENSES INCURRED. *Including $61,258.58 for the State Insurance Fund. †Appropriated by L. 1915, Ch. 726. Includes $228,629.10 from general and $712.01 from special appropriations. Includes $8,942.43 unaudited at end of May in addition to total of audited accounts as given by months. ++Includes $20.249.13 unaud. at end of September in addition to total of audited accounts as given by months. |