The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-06-24
Congressional Committee Reopen
Hearings on Workmen's
Compensation Law.
NEED OF SUCH A LAW IS
GENERALLY RECOGNIZED
Constitionality Of Proposed En-
actment is Subject Of Dis
cussion.

WASHINGTON, June 21.-(Special
to Labor World)-TLe congressional
commission appointed to investigate
the subject of workmen's compensa-
ton has reopened it's hearings. At
the last session previous to the one
m mentioned adjournment was taken
upon the suggestion of the commits
sion to wait the decision of the United
States supreme court in the Standard
Oil, Tobacco Trust and other cases,
for the reason that in these cases
there were points involved which,
when decisions were handed down.
might sled light upon the enactment
of the measure under consideration,
Constitutional Phases. -
The first session of the reopened
hearings was devoted to discussion
of the constitutional phases in the
enactment of a.. compensation law.
There were present representatives Of
the railway brotherhoods and attor-
neys for numerous railroads. Attor-
ney Miles M. Dawson, an expert
actuary, also appeared in advocacy Of
such law. There is a difference
however, as to the manner in which:
1t shall be applied. The discussion
on the constitutional phase of the;
question which attracted the most az;
tenton was that; by Miles M. Dawson
of New York. Mr.. Dawson has made.
aa special study ~of this particular.
feature. having visited various coun-:
tries where Workingmen'sl compensa4
ton laws are in actual operation. HIS
contention was. that the constitutions
gave the ,risI sbvafhsl
1nent ato ,era s3s,verfns tae
feature and putting It into actual
operation by an excise tax, aand. he
based his contntion on the opening
section of the constitution of the
United States, which says: I'VE the
people of the United States, in order
10 form more perfect union, estab-
lish justice. insure domestic tran
quillity, provide for the common de-
tense, promote the general welfare"
etc.
General Welfare.
He laid stress upon the fact that
the words promote the general well
fare gave the law making power Of
tie federal government ample au-
thority to establish system of work.
lngmen's compensation. It was also
stated that the collection of this ex-'
else tax would be direct from the en-
lloyer. and he, in turn. adding it 10
the cost Of production. would be dis
tr1buted and. eventually paid by the
consuming publice. This feature ap-
parently met the views of those who
were present and actively interested.
Mr. Dawson narrative of the opera
ton OF this law in Germany, which
he stated in his opinion and that Of
those who have made a thorough in
vest1gation, was the very best plan ex-
tant, was exceedingly interesting. Un-
der the operation of the laws in Ger
many poverty has been almost wiped
out of existence and employers are
in accord with the general plan IN
force. True, some minor details need
alteration, but as a general PROPOSE
tion it has worked very successfully.
Dawson Interview.
In an interview with Mr.. Dawson
after the hearing closed, he stated
that the compensation law of Ger
many had not had the effect of re-
tardins the growth and efficiency Of
the labor organizations of that coun-
try; on the other hand, the organiza-
tons OF labor had made their most
prodigious growth since the law had
been put in general operation.
Mr.. Dawson later appeared before
| the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor and delivered a
masterfule exposition of a workmen's
compensation law. The council was
very much impressed with his inti-
mate knowledge and deeply interested
in the facts which he had gathered
from all section of the world. AS
result of Mr.. Dawson's appearance
before the council, a cimmittee was
selected from members of the execu-
tive council to make thorough in
vestigation of the scheme outlined by
Mr.. Dawson
CARPENTERS STRIKE
TXYnN Am no AHr~-r -~