Hobart Lumber Co. v. Fells

This is an original proceeding to review an award made by the State Industrial Commission. The sole question presented is whether respondent Fells was an employee of Hobart Lumber Company or an independent contractor.

Fells was an itinerant knife and scissors sharpener who went from place to place in pursuit of his calling, traveling on a bicycle. He had previously had experience as a machinist, but had been plying his trade as a knife and scissors sharpener for four years or more. While at Hobart a foreman of the lumber company approached him with reference to sharpening some saws in the…