Evening journal., 1910-06-08
BREWERS ARE
In CONVENTION
Labor Committee Reports on
Plan for Insurance for
Workers

WASHINGTON,h n ID. c., June S.--The
United States Brewers Association is
in annual session here. In addition to
about $50 members many other brewers
and also manufacturers of machinery
for breweries are present.
The brewers, il is expected, will draw
up protest against "unwise taxes" on
beer on the ground that such taxes in
crease the price of beer and drive men
to stronger drinks, thereby promoting
intemperance
It is expected also that they will
protest against prohibition for the ma
tional capital.
The report of the labor committee
is chiefly devoted to the plan for in
dustrial insurance soon to be taken
up with the workmen. In the introduce
tion of the report, however, it is stat
ed that THE insidious attempts which
have been made during the past year
by the enemies of our industry to pre-
iudice our cause in the minds Of the
laboring classes have proved Of no
avail"
The report then takes up the ques-
ton Of industrial Insurance, saying in
part
OHt pL the must Important lDDith VI
the day, which is being discussed in
nearly every state, is that Of employers
liability for injury to their employees
involving, as it does, the whole question
of compensation to workmen in case OF
accident or sickness. which can be at
tributed to industrial accidents, or oc-
cupational diseases, and relief for their
families i'm case of their death. The
question is not as acute in the brew
ing trade as it is in many other in
dustries, because of the healthful ma
ture OF the employment. the satisfac-
tory conditions under which the mel
work, the friendly relations which exis
! between brewers and their employees
the unusual stability of the business
and the fact that industrial accidents
in breweries are relatively rare oc-
currences. At the same time, no busi-
ness is free from its hazards, and
your Labor Committee has been anx-
ious to strengthen the fraternal spirit
which obtains in the brewing indus
try. by establishing plan for the ade-
quate care of brewery workmen under
any conditions that may arise"
In order TO bring this about, II Is
my intention to propose a plan which
shall be participated in by members
of the United States Brewers Asso-
citation on the one side and the Brew
cry Workers Union on the other. These
organizations will be asked. by volun-
tary contribution on a scale TO be
hereafter decided upon, to create a
fund out of which workingmen shal
promptly receive compensation during
the time when they are disabled from
work through injuries sustained, and
in, case Of death, from which fund
substantial amount is to be paid Z,
the family of the lost bread winner
The fund should be administered ln
a small commission consisting OF rep
resentatives of the employers and ol
the worlSingmen and of absolutely
disinterested and able men, who shal
pass upon all claims, and whose de-
cision shall be final Compensation
so provided should take the place OF
all rights OF action against employ.
ers in the courts, except in certain
contingencies not necessary to spec
lfy at the moment
THE cost to the employer would not
in its entirety, form an addition TO this
present business expense, for the rea-
son that It ought to make employer
accident insurance unnecessary.
Whether the cost of this plan which
/ / propose would exceed the cost Of ac-
cident insurance, as at present carried
| by the employers, / am not prepared
to say. I am procuring statistics from
abroad which will go far toward an.
swering this question"