FOREST LABOR 

 ORGANIZATION IN THE NORTHERN WOODS 



S3 



many years this method of settlement has been regarded as 

 unsatisfactory. 



Tn recent years several states^ have abolished the liability laws 

 and have passed Workmen's Compensation Acts which provide, 

 without trial by court or jury, for the payment of specified sums 

 for injuries received. The injured workman secures a definite 

 compensation without any legal expense and without regard to 

 the cause of the accident, provided it was not self-inflicted. 

 The employer must waive all rights to the common law defences 

 of "contributory negligence," "assumption of risk" and the 

 "fellow servant rule," which were prominent features in litiga- 

 tion under the Hability laws. 



One of the most satisfactory Workmen's Compensation Acts, 

 from the standpoint of the lumber operator, is now in force in 

 the state of Washington, having gone into effect in October, 191 1 . 

 This law provides for an Industrial Insurance Commission to 

 administer the law and for the pa>Tnent, by the State, of all 

 expenses of administration of the Act, placing the burden of 

 compensation on the employer. 



Among the features of this law are the following: 



(i) When engaged in hazardous occupations the provisions 

 of the Act are obligatory on both the employer and employee, 



^ Among these are California, Washington, Wisconsin. New Jersey, Illinois, 

 New Hampshire and Kansas. 



