The sun., 1910-02-09
FOR THOSE HURTON The CANAL
TAFT ASKS CONGRESS TO MAkE
SUITABLE PROVISION.

Cites Unfortunate Cases OG Injury and
Those Injured or for Families OI
Those Killed Needs No Argument
WASHINGTON. Feb. s.-Because there ID
no provision Of law whereby certain en-
ployees OF the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion who suffer injury can be recompensed
by the Government President Taft to-day
sent a special message to Congress asking
that suitable legislation be- enacted 90
that employees Of the canal or their rela-
tives be allowed 70 recover in case OF
permanent disability or death. The mes-
sage said:
am transmitting herewith certain
papers relative to the cases OF Alexander
Comba, Pedro Sanchez. John H. Cole
and Oscar r. Lackey, who were injured
on the Isthmus prior to Aug, 1, 1908, while
IN the employment OF the Isthmian Canal
Commission.
Comba's legs were crushed. necessi-
tating amputation. and he was still lying
in the hospital nearly two years after the
accident. The left arm and right hand
except the thumb OF Sanchez were am
putated because OF injuries received In Q
dynamite explosion. Coles right hand
was cut on while he was at work on a
steam shovel crane Iackey suffered q
fracture OF the spine which has perma-
nently disqualified him from doing any
thing but limited amount OF light work
In these and similar cases OF injury
received by EMPLOYEES OF the com
mission prior to Aug. !. 1898 there Is no
authority for giving any pecuniary relief
either to the employees themselves or to
their families, except that each employees
was entitled to and VAS granted under
his contract OF employment thirty days
I H. Il l.
/ IL needs no argument to establish the
obligation which the Government Of the
United States Is under to provide relief
] for its employees who are permanently
disabled or MANNED and for the families
Of those who are thus injured or killed
through no fault Of their own while en-
ployed on work OF such hazardous char
aoter as that connected with the construc-
| tion OF the Isthmian Canal. This obliga-
| ton 10 RECOGNIZED by the act Of May 30.
1908 and by section s OF the Panama
Canal bill (H. r.. I2Si0, now pending
before the Congress.
| There are a number OF bills pending
before the Congress for the relief OF GER
: tain employees who were injured prior
TO Aug. I. 1908. and among them bill for
the relief Of Lackey. II seems right that
some general law should be enacted which
viii enable a reasonable allowance 20 be
made to employees who were perma-
nently disabled or MANNED and to the
! families OF those who were killed in acci-
dents occurring prior to that date through
no fault of their own.
BY the act approved May 30. 1908. the
widow. children or dependent parents
OF an employee killed in the course OF
| hazardous employment are entitled 70
] receive compensation for a year at the
rate the employee was paid at the time
Of his death. provided q claim 10 filed
with the Secretary OF Commerce and
Labor within ninety days from the date
| OF death.
! The families OF employees living in
| foreign countries. especially the families
OF Spanish employees. in number ol
cases were unable to file a claim within
the limited time fixed. The Secretary oi
Commerce and Labor has therefore been
compelled to disapprove number OF
claims which show that the claimants
were entitled to the benefits OF the act
The time limit for fling such claims should
be extended and the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor authorized to consider
and allow such claims as have heretofors
been fled.
therefore recommend that suitable
legisla ton be enacted authorizing the
Secretary OF Commerce and Labor to act
upon any claims for compensation on 40
count OF death which have heretofore
been fled under the act approved May 30.
1908, and that authority be given the
President under such restrictions as the
Congress may deem advisable 20 settle all
claims on account Of the death or perma-
nent disability or manning OF employees
OF the Isthmian Canal Commission caused
by accidents on the Isthmus Of Panama
prior to August I, 1908. for which such
employees were not responsible.
draft OF a bill. substantially follow
ing the Panama Canal bill now pending
which believe will meet the requirements
OF the situation. has been prepared by the
Secretary OF War and is at the disposition
~ Con raaa