Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-07
DEMOCRATS S0LIDLY FOR MEASURE
Truce Patched up Between Majority
and Minority SO That lmportan,
Bill Could go Through = Majority
i Leader Payne Makes Attempt to
Take Credit Away From Democrats
(By Associated Pressl

WIN only one vote recorded against
it, that OF Mr. Iittlcfield, OF Name
the House of Representatives today,
under suspension OF the rules. passed
the Sterling employers liability bill,
after 10 minutes debate. IN brief. the
bill establishes the doctrine that rail
ROAD companies engaged in Interstate
commerce are liable for personal IN
jurics received by employees in the
pursuit of such careers. II abolishcs
the strict common law rule OF liza
blity which bars recovery for the
personal injury or death OF an en-
p!oye. occasioncd by the negligence
of Il fellow servant.
II also rclaXcs the common law rule
which makes conlrlbluory negligence
defense 10 claims for such injuries.
a provision, however, diminishcs the
amount OF the recovery in the same
degree that the negligence of the in
jurcd one contributed to the injury.
The bin further makes each party
responsible for his own negligence;
and requires each to bear the burden
thereof
a truce between the Democrats and
Republicans was declared for time
today when under suspension of the
rules the House took up the employ
ers' liability bill
Mr.. Sterling. Illinois. explained the
provisions of the bill and in response
to question by Mr.. Crumpacker. In
diana, stated that the bill would be
applicable TO ifTerurban car lines be.
tween states and street car lines In
the territories and in the District OF
Columbia.
Mr.. Henry. Texas, said the bill was
Il meriiorius and constitutional one,
ana that not a Democratic vote would
be recorded against it.
Littlefield Has an Objection.
In the opinion OF Mr.. LlttlcReld.
section Of the bill relating to actions
at law In cases of contributory negli.
gcncc IS an innovation or existing
laws. He delivered a legal argument
in support of his contention and de-
clarcd that the bill is now open TO
the same objection that was raised
against the act declared unconstitu-
tionl by the Supreme Court of the
United sites.
Minority Lender Williams welcomed
the opportunity TO Illustrate how
quickly and how rapidly we can jo.n
in passing remedial legislation.
Continuing Mr.. Williams said the
Democrats would be glad to be fur
nished with more like IT, and 10
dial bill is furnished to the House. 1t
was, he said, the first encouragement
i'll some time"
Mr.. Payne got the floor ana de-
nounccd the Democrats. led by Mr..
Williams for delaying by half an hour
the passage Of the bill by enforcing
IA roll call on the approval OF the
journal
"Thc gentleman from Mississippi,
he said, Seems 10 think he will make
the country believe that because he
says I say 10 this House. and 10 the
country that tho way to facilitate
legislation is by he useless demand
IOr ron Calls dlil utliNS Ill llcilul M
ing tic functions of the House. end
passing The supply bills that must be
passed
Says Williams Was Net Responsible.
He declared that Mr.! williams had
no more to do with the bringing about
tho report from the committee from
The consideration OF the measure than
tho boys on the street. It has hech
The settled purpose of the majority %
bring he bill before Congress. MIR.
Payne feared the bill would meet the
same fate with the Supreme Court rs
did the former law, but. he said. nc
would vote for II. nevertheless. as he
had voted for the previous bill.
and We will 80 OIL Will, the lcgi5
laiion of this country ana the majority
will decide IN their own time and
without any hindrance from the gen
lleman from Mississippi and The vot.