The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1906-05-29

blllty, as Related TO Child ald ma
tion," o. V. White from Philomath; 4;
Mrs. Clara Waldo, state lecturer of
the State Grange, gave excellent
talks on education, grange work
and state Issues. Mrs. Waldo is a
witty, interesting and capable
speaker. Her remarks we're highly
appreciated by all present.
Portland. May 26.-Portland
Journal: One of the features of
the present campaign is that
railway employees all over the
state are supporting Governor
Chamberlain for reelection. Most
Of these men are republicans, but
this year they are Ign oring the par
ty cry. With very few exceptions
the trainmen, trackmen and yard
employees of the various railways
are going to vote for Chamberlain.
The reason given for this is that be
has proved himself their friend by
bringing about the passage of the
fellow servant law of 1908, which
fixes the liability of railroad corpo.
rations for injuries to employees.
When George E. Chamberlain
became governor of the state in
1903 his inaugural address dealt at
length with the need of fellow ser
want law. In part he said:
"One of the latest laws upon the
subject Is that of the state of Vi1-
ginia, approved March 7. 1862. 1t
provides that every corporation op.
eratingra railroad In that state,
whether such corporation be Great
ed there or elsewhere, shall be liza.
ble for damages for any and all In
jury sustained by any emrloye Of
such corporation"
Then came the recommendation:
II commend" said Governor
Chamberlain, ''the general scope
and purpose Of this law to the leg
islature of Oregon, and earne silly
urge the enactment of similar
statute at this session. Legislation
upon this subject was defeated at
the last session, but it seems to me
that the demands of thousands of
men engaged In railroad employ.
ment here are emitted to be heard
as they have been heard. and fav-
orably acted upon, in other states
not more progressive than Oregon.
Governor Chamberlain called at
tention to the injustice of the Ore
gon law then In force, pointing out
how defendant corporations were
invariably successful in urging that
injury or death was due TO the negli-
gence of fellow servant. Further
he said: 'The corporations hedge
their employees about with rules and
regulations which they expect and
intend shall be more honored 10
the breach than in the observance.
To obey them in their entirety
would be impossible. and to diso-
hey them places a weapon of de.
fenss In the hands of the corpora
tion, whenever accidents occur re-
sulting in injuries and death to old
and faithful employees" -
This recon- mendation resulted in
the introduction of several meas
urss, but the Virginia statute fav.
ored by the governor was given the
preference over all others. A draft
of law containing exactly the
same provisions as the Virginia Law
was submitted by the governor to a
committee of trainmen. 1t met with
an approval and was placed by
them in the hands of Representative
Marlborough. who introduced it in
the legislature. It passed both
houses and was promptly signed by
the governor.
The Oregon fellow servant law
as 1t stands t)day follows word for
word the Virginia law recommend
ed by Governor Chamberlain in his
inaugural message. Since its adop-
tion its has proved 1t worth on nu-
merous occasions, and more than
one injured employe has through
it's provisions obtained just damsg-