Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-09
IWURY0F employees
Committee Framing Law to
Govern Liability.
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Two Senator'S, Two Representatives
and Two Others in Commission.
STATUTE TO INCLUDE DISTRICT
Responsibility of Railroads and
United States Government to Be
Defined-Hearings Begun.
STATUTE TO INCLUDE DISTRICT

| Recommendations for laws to govern
the liability of railroads operating in the
District of Columbia and in interstate
commerce for injuries. fatal and other
wise. to employees, and possibly the liza
bility of the United States and District
governments for injuries to their en-
ployes, are to be made by commission
which met yesterday afternoon in the Of
flee of Senator Warner of Missouri
| The appointment of the commission was
provided by a resolution adopted at the
end Of the last session of Congress. 1t
is composed of two senators, Warner of
Missouri and Hughes of Colorado; two
representatives, Moon of Pennsylvania
and Brantley of Georgia, and W. c.
Brown, president Of the New York Cen
trail railroad and D. O. Cease of Cleve-
land, editor of the Railway Trainman,
appointed by the President.
Thorough Inquiry Required.
1t Is instructed to investigate thorough
ly the subject of employers liability and
workmen's compensation and to make
recommendations to Congress for legisla-
ton, their report to be filed not later
than the first Monday in December, next
year.
Senator Warner has been chosen chair
man Of the commission, Representative
Brantley vice chairman and Lancelot
Packer Of this city secretary.
At yesterdays meeting the general plan
for the inquiry was mapped out and d.
rections were given for the start of the
work. The members Of the commission
| will first make a study of the general
question to determine what legislation by
Congress is possible under the Constitu-
ton. This will give an indication of the
general scope of the legislation which the
| commission will propose. Information
will also be gathered to show what other
countries and what the states Of this re-
public have done toward the statutory
fixing Of workmen's compensation for in
juries.
Three Plans in Europe.
European countries have three general
plans now working Under one plan,
adopted by some of the continental ma
tons, there is state insurance of en-
j ployes to meet accident liabilities. Under
i another there is a general law. fixing COM
pensation for injuries to employees but
i leaving it to individual employers. to de-
4 termine whether they will insure en-
ployes. The third plan provides, what is
commonly known as compulsory compeh-
sation; with no provisions regarding In
surance. - 81
After the commission has obtained this
Information regarding plans now in force
and has outlined in general way what
is possible in the way of legislation under
the American Constitution, hearings will
be given to the representatives of en-
ployers and employees. Both are repre-
sented on the commission, the employers
by the president of big railroad system
and the employees by a prominent men,
Der of one of the big brotherhoods of
railroad workmen.
While the recommendations Of the COM
mission will have widespread effect on
common carriers and their employees, its
jurisdiction extends also to employees of
the federal and District governments and
Of the territorial possessions of Uncle
Sam. Legislation passed upon it's recon-
mendation, therefore, is expected to have
the effect of fixing the compensation to
be paid to government employees for in
juries, fatal or otherwise, received in the
line of their duties.
Under the Common Law.
Employers liability and workmen's COM
pensation is determined at present by
the common law as set forth in decisions
OF the courts and by some federal stat
utes. Objections urged against the pres
ent system, as set forth in the reports of
Senate and House committees which
urged the general investigation, are:
That uncertainty Of rights and obliga-
/ lions involves S,Ifforfpo tho v,o.lrr,.-