New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-07
WORKMEN FILE PROTEST
Object to Compulsory Feature OF
Liability Bill.
FEAR SHORT TIME PAYMENT
Employers Also Testify Before
Commission About Proposed
Federal Law.

Washington. NOV. b.-Ihe 'Hp'oEt'S
LIABILITY and yvorkrnen's compensation com
mission bill was sharply criticised by a. B
carretson. president OF the order Of Rail
way Conductors, at to-day's meeting OF the
commission. Mr.. Garretson took especial
exception to the compulsory feature OF the
bill. saving that with small maximum
navrnent for injury and comparauveiy
brief time OF payment the employe would
desire the privilege of choice.
or" he said, the common law remedy
,e removed the average man will invest II
With q value that 81 never possessed.
Mr. Garretson contended for an eEten-
sion OF the years during which compensa-
tiop shall be paid for injury, saying that "
The time were reasonably extended a
smaller percentage would be acceptable.
won't YOU state. in the public interest
what vou think would he an equitable per
centage?' asked Mr.. Moon. Of the com
mission. The witness declined.
con most occasions when I've MADE
boIv show OF myself" he said. "it has been
~, an eppeal in the interest OF the public
welfare"
others before making reply, but said that
the commission would receive explicit IN
formation on this point He advocateo IL
liberal policy as matter OF sentiment as
well as for other reasons.
"T,eg,slation and sentiment run IN par
alel lines" he said. ...
Prefers Sentimental Solution. '-
.orho Supreme Court doesn't 90 much on
sentiment" commented Mr.. Moon but the
witness asserted that many wotio Pfei''
the sentimental solution TO the supreme
Courts solution.
Would you he willing to nave Se'U-
ment control IN filling the percehtsse
bIanks7' asked member Of the coiiirhls-
sion. and the head Of the conductors oToe'
renI,ed that ne would do so, IF IT. went my
way" He expressed the conviction that
the dav would come when "the question OF
constitutionality would not interfere WIN
the legitimate rights OF men
"Rut." he added 1--WE viii meet that ISSUE
1pben ~ arises-we will not shake haIu9
u,,,b tho devil until we meet him.
Mr. Gerretson said that with the uine
.rd amount fixed half Of his Objection
,onld he removed. lie again declined 10
srgqest figures. He did not believe that
o,orIovea should be required TO contribute
90 tbo disability fund. and he advocated
periodical payment for injuries rather .,''i''
navment by means Of lump amounts ''u'
agreeing with the commission
w G. Lee, president OF the Brother"oo"
y, Railway Trainmen, Endorsed the COM
MISSIONS plan. but he admitted that n'oS'
:, ht. associstes were opposed TO TIC col'-
,,,,,sorv system Like Mr.. Garretsoh' ne
,,ortod a high compensation, and IN thaO
.vent would have no objection to the conf
.,,,sor,, nlan He would have payments FOR
ser,oees made on the daily wage uas'7
ua,her than on the average earnings BASIS
Tails OF Plans Success.
s,ooLing FOR the Edison Electric Light
,.a,,,,,arv NJ New York, Arthur Williams
Ia tba, his company follows plan OF
coronensation similar to that recommended
nv the commission as national lleaS''' -
and found II to be most satisfactory
"It insures better conduct and greater
ou.stance." he said The company pays
,uu CONDENSATION for loss OF time on &C
count of injury. He told of one provision
for payment for forty-four years 10 the
u1doy OF a young man. provided she did
not remarry
cts a long time to ask her TO remain
a widow" commented Senator Sutherland
outside the record.
Timothy Healy. president Of the interna-
t,onal brotherhood Of Stationary Firemen
expressed the hope that the work OF the
commission would take in other industries
than the railroads. lie said the United
States is behind all other governments in
caring for it's injured workers. Confidence
in the courts had, he said, been entirely
lost