The San Francisco call., 1908-04-10
AILWAY EMPLOYEES
INJURY BILL PASSES
Senate Adopts House Measure
Without Amendment and
Without Division
Bacon of Georgia Injects Discus
sion of Hartmann Roosevelt
Campaign Fund Letter

WASHINGTON, April s.-The bill re-
lating to the liability of common car
riers by railroads passed in the house
of representatives on April was to-
day passed by the senate without
amendment and without division.
The senate bill on the same subject
was not confined to railroads, but COW
cred all forms of common carriers and
Senator Dolliver, who had reported it.
sought to substitute 1t for the house
bill, but his motion was defeated.
AS passed the bill is expected to
meet the objections of the United
States supreme court to the common
carrier liability law of 1895, decided to
be unconstitutional by the court.
The bill abolishes the strict COM
mon law liability, which bars recoy-
cry for personal injury or death of an
employe occasioned by the negligence
of a fellow servant. 1t also relaxes
the common law rule which makes
contributory negligence defense to
claims for such injuries, and permits
an employe to recover for injury
caused by the negligence of a CO.
employe. The bill does not bar re-
covery even though the injured one
contributed by his own negligence to
the injury. The amount of the recov-
cry is diminished in the same degree
that the negligence of the injured one
contributed to the injury.
DISCUSS CAMPAIGN FUNDS
During the discussion of the meas
ure there was extended reference to
campaign contributions by railroad
men and especially to the Hartman
contribution to ~the republican party
fund of 1904.
Senator Hepburn wanted to have 1t
known that the pending bill was not
unmiXed blessing, as it would sub
stitute this federal legislation for leg
islation by the states in matters COW
cred by the bill It would make neo-
essary the bringing of suits under this
law in federal courts often far re-
moved from the place of accident,
whereas in the past they have been
taken to nearby state courts.
Senator Carter made a strong plea
that the senate should confine this Leg
islation to railroads, as was done by
the house bill, and should not enter
upon the ancient field of commerce on
shipboard, as might be contemplated
by the senate bill.
Senator Bacon of Georgia declared
that great railroad corporations exer
else an important influence upon the
political fortunes of the country. In
New York, he said, 100000 had been
raised on one occasion on the sugges-
tion of a high official and used to in
1uence the election
REFERS TO PRESIDENT
Bacon's reference was readily rec
ognized by senators as being aimed at
the president and his letter to Harri-
man. He said he would not call any
names In connection with that state
ment-
Senator Foraker asked whether the
Georgia senator would not call the
name of the high official" he referred
to, but Bacon said he did not wish to
do that.
Il think 4tis only fair to the high
Official" said Foraker, ito state that
he contradicted that story and applied
an ugly word to the man who set that
story afioat-"
Bacon evidently referred to what
has been called the tAnanias club
and said the man who raised the oam-
paign fund was member of the club,
adding, the membership of which is
making the most respectable club in
the United States"
Senator Gore OF Oklahoma, taking a
letter from his pocket, said he wished
to read it as throwing light upon the
subject under consideration. The
paper proved to be a copy of letter
lished, which began MY Dear Harri-
man" and was signed Theodore
Roosevelt"
OBJECTS TO USE OF NAME
Gallinger. addressing his question to
Bacon, asked If he thought 1t was
right to introduce the name Of the
president in the debate.
II am not responsible" said Bacon.
for bringing In the president"
Gore quickly responded that he did
not think the president should write a
letter he was unwilling to have read.
Later Gore said in regard to the
Roosevelt Hartman letter that he was
responsible for the reading of the let
ter to the senate. IT would rather be
responsible for the reading OF that let
ter" he said, than reported for writ
ing It If that were proper letter
for the president of the United States
TO write to an undesirable citizen there
should be no impropriety In my offer
ing it to the senate. If that is an i'm
proper letter I am sorry the president
wrote It. That is my apology"
The senate adjourned until Monday