Argonaut Insurance Exchange v. Kates

Raising the interesting question as to whether enlistment in the United States Army by a minor under 18 constitutes an emancipation making the presumption of dependency provided in section 3501, Labor Code, inapplicable, petitioner seeks review and annulment of an order of the commission awarding a death benefit to respondent Gordon, the minor son of John Kates who was killed in an industrial accident.

Facts

John and Ms wife, Pauline, were divorced in 1939 by a decree of the Superior Court of the State of Washington, under which she received no alimony, but wMeh ordered John to pay her $40 per…