New-York tribune., 1908-04-07
HOUSE VOTE, 300 TO |
Dir. Littlefeld Only Opponent OF
EN- mployers' Liability Bill.
lFrom 'rhe Tribu-e Bureau. !

Washington April e-As an evidence OF the sin
cerity of the House leaders in carrying out as
speedily possible the Presidents legislative Pro-
granlme the Sterling employers liability bill was
passed to-day with one dissenting voice-that of
Representative Littlefeld of Maine. who argued
against the bill on constitutional grounds HIS was
the only voice raised against the pill on either side
The vote 800 to l.
In the debate the minority leader. Mr.. Willams'
amused the Republican side by claiming credit for
the legislation in behalf of the Democratic party
To this Representative Payne Of New York. took
exception saying The gentleman from Missis-
sipp and his party had more to do with THIS
legislation than little boys playing or the street.
The gentleman cannot fool the country. The Re
publicans want this legislation, and they are about
to put it the statute books"
The bill seeks to avoid the objection raised by the
Supreme Court by the simple expedient OF limiting
It's application to the employees of an interstate
common corrier injured while engaged in interstate
traffic. The former law was declared unconstitu-
tional because employees of a common carrier en-
gagged in a single locality were included The Dill
establishes the doctrine that railroad companies
engaged in interstate commerce are liable for per
sonal injuries received by employees In the service
Of such carriers 1t aboshes the strict common
law rule of liability which bars recovery for the
personal injury or death of an employe caused by
the negligence of fellow servant It also relaxes
the common law rule which makes contributory
negligence defence to claims for such injuries
provision. however, dimnishes the amount that
may be recovered in the same degree that the neg
hgence of the injured contributed o the injury
II further makes each party responsible for his
own negligence and requires each bear the bur
den thereof
l he OH AS passed by the House was transmitted
10 the Senate later in the day. and on motion of
MI DolllVer was laid the table. subject to
oelns called up at any time. Mr.. Dolliver
planned that the bill is similar to the measure re-
ported TO the Senate from the Committee on
and TaAn
asking the Senate to agree take up the bill
an early day He will probably substitute
the Senate measure for the House bill. and after
the Senate acts will leave conferrees the task Of
agreeing compromise measure. The House
bill is much more sweeping than the Senate BILL
as 1t applies to all common carriers while the
Senate bill applies only common carriers by
railroad
Among the bills passed by the House under sus-
pension of the rules appropriating $50, 900
The House also passed a bill amending the anti
pass provision of the interstate commerce law so
as 10 permit the issue OF passes to furloughed
pensioned and superannuated employees persons
who have become disabled intirm the service
OF common carriers. and the bodies persons
killed in the employment of common carriers and
former employees travelling for the purpose of en-
tering the service of common carriers. and the
families of such.