The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-16

lion.
eff the common-law distractions are
swept away, what incentive will there
be for workingman to take advan-
tage of a compensation act?" asked
Senator Judson.
Rev. Mr.. Wismer refused to enter
into discussion Of this question. say
ing that his committee is concerned
simply with the moral aspect of the
situation.
Charles Leonard, stating that he
represented the Hartford Central La
Dor Union, declared that that organtza-
ton has endorsed Workmens Com
pensation act.
Senator Judson then called upon
Charles j. Donahue, president of the
State Federation of Labor.
81 believe you represent a very large
group of organized labor men of Con-
necticut, do you not?" said Senator
Judson.
II do replied Mr.. Donahue, 81 rep
resent labor unions including 1900
men in the state of Connecticut"
Mr.. Donahue began by reviewing
the work Of the commission appointed
by Governor Woodruff to investigate
the subject Of Employers liability.
ers' Liability act to the legislature
of 1909. The measure passed the
House but was defeated in the Senate.
."And it was not nearly, SO drastic
as some Of the modern legislation that
is being proposed" declared MIR. Don
ahue.
when this measure was beaten in
the last legislature, the labor men of
Connecticut felt that they had been
tricked. They decided not to stand
for any compromise measures In the
future and they now ask for the COM
plete abrogation of the fellow SER
want doctrine in the Connecticut COM
mon law.
"Th;s doctrine" said the speaker,
"tends to put the burden of industrial
accidents upon those who are least
able to bear it. It Is absolutely UNI
fair to allow this doctrine to continue
as a defence in these days, although
it was originated, when at least so
per cent. of the people were engaged
in agricultural pursuits. -
This doctr ne has been applied very
harshly in the state of Connecticut
50 much SO that a judge-it was Judge
cis;on under this common law felt
obliged to append a note to his decis-
ion calling attention to the harshness
Of the doctrine and stating that 1t
requires legislative treatment, and is
not justified by either public policy or
Justice"
Mr.. Donahue continued along the
lines already taken by Representative
Meltzer calling attention to the harsh
workings of this pleading and to the
unfa' rness of the 'contrlbutory negh-
gence' doctrine as it sometimes works
out in practice. On the subject OF
assumed risks he did not touch, and
when later questioned by Senator
Judson concerning it, declared that or
ganized labor does not demand Its alb
rogation; wor,,n,en.. co,rnensat,on
act" said Mr.. Donahue. Il UNDER
stand that there are serious constitu--
such a measure in the state OF Con-
necticut.
eve hear of the German measure in
which employer and employe enter In
a Joint insurance-if the manufactur-
ers of the state really want this. they
can put it into effect Tomorrow as no
law is necessary for its adoption. But
It IS a serious question as to whether
or not anyone may be compelled to
answer to the requirements of COM
pensation law"
} Mr.. Donahue again went on to dis
cuss the need of the abrogation of the
fellow servant doctrine and quoted
state and national statistics Of acci-
dents in support of his claim. When
he had finished, Representative George
3. Chandler of the committee put this
quest on.
.'Then this committee is to under
stand that all that organized labor
the abrogation Of the fellow servant
doctrine?''
Mr.. Donahue replied in the afiirma-
tive.
"Wouldn't organized labor be will
ing to accept a Workmen's Compen-
sation act?" asked Senator Judson.
"Why yes. suppose So" said Mr..
Donahue, ''but we are of the opin on
that any workmen's Compensation act
that might be enacted in the state OF
Connecticut would at bestsbe very
milk and water sort Of Measure.
eff we demanded such a measure.
the employers might claim that we
are putting burden upon them such
as is imposed in no other state" con-
tinued Mr.. Donahue, land are them at
disadvantage IN meeting their COM
pet'tors elsewhere in the union.
"The Workrnen's Compensation idea
is not thoroughly tested as yet. The
citizenship hasn't had SUFFICIENT oppor-
tunity Of studying the question"
ct should regard it as a sort of class
Hesitation" declared Mr.. Donahue.
ATTORNEY j. TT. Emory. a lawyer who
has made considerable study abroad
Of the working Of Workmen's Com
many arose to speak in behalf of the
Manufacturers Association of Connec-
ticpt.
ssI represent the employers OF 100 600
men in the State of Connect icut." said
Attorney Emory in opening. whose
rights must be considered as well as
those Of the other class.
eve are fortuna tely able to avail
ourselves of the experience of other
lands in settling this most difficult
and delicate of all ouestfons-the rela-
lions of employer and ercploye. You
must take into consideration the great
amount of capital invested in the state
Of Connecticut: you must remember
that you are inviting other capital to
come into the State: you must re-
member that such laws as you make
GOVERNING the relations of employer
and employee must be governed by
equity; they must not be so harsh
as to discourage the continuation Of
employment in this state o. fan go
hard upon the manufacturers as to
be reflected in reduced wages, reduced
OPPORTUNITIES of employment. and the
Anal insolvency of the manufacture
ers.
"And furthermore. gentlemen. ask
you to consider the fact that we are
not dealing with the employers Of
hundreds and thousands. Men in con-
siderine that question are apt to over
look This most important fact II
you take ell the EMPLOYERS of Con-
necticut and all the employees. you will
find that the average is not more than
six or eight employees to one employer
AT the utmost. so in framing y01r