Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-08
MANUFACTURERS WANT
 NO DEATH DAMAGE LIMIT.
First Hearing Shows This Sentiment Prevalent Before Judiciary Commit tee.
Especial to The Bulletin. }

Hartford, Feb. 7.-H was the con- sensus of opinion of those who talked before the judiciary committee at the first hearing Tuesday afternoon on the removal of the $6.o00 death damage limit, or at least tho opinion of the majority of those who were heard. for the most part manufacturers, that the S5,000 limit should be removed and no limit fixed. The old supreme court room in the capitol was crowded by persons from various parts of the state, and all were very much inter- ested in the matter up for discussion.
 Attorney Arthur l.. Shipman of Hart ford made the opening and somewhat perfun story remarks, as he said Ito set the ball a-rolling."
 Against Placing Any Limit.
 He was followed by Colonel George Pope of Hartford, treasurer of the Pope Manufacturing company and president of the Manufacturers asso- ciation of Connecticut. Colonel Pope said he believed no limit should be placed, but the fixing of just damages in action of tort of the class under consideration should be left to a jury. He stated his opinion that the fixing of a high limit of damages would in many instances prove disastrous to small manufacturers. who are just as liable to have accidents occur in their plants are are the large concerns, who would not be 50 seriously hampered by paying a heavy damage claim. He thought it would be better to be with out any limit. as far as the manufac- turers are concerned.
 $2o,0o0 Would Bankrupt Some.
 Charles M. Jarvis of Berlin thought that a law allowing recoveries as high s20,000 would be too radical and would hear the heaviest on the small manu- facturers-it would bankrupt them if made effective, even in the loss of one life in their plants. He ~said he per sonally believed the committee should refrain from action in the matter un- til all the bills relative to workmens g compensation and employers liability acts could be Considered, and perhaps sufficient information secured to allow of the working out of some general plan to provide such legislation as is contemplated by the measures pend- advocated a. pension system for the de- pendents of the victims of accidents.
 Not in Excess of $1o,oo0.
 He said he would not favor q death limit in excess of $10,00o.
 Await Plan from Manufacturers.
 Charles II. Merritt of Danbt,ry saie he thought all matters relative there to should be deferred for 8 time to sec if the manufacturers would not outline some plan. He thought 1t would bt better to have no limit than to have one too high.
 c. D. Rice of Hartford would hard 1y advise so rash an act as to place s $20.00o limit.
 W. J. Larkin of Waterbury though, the law should remain as it is. w. R. Webster of Bridgeport said he believed the consensus Of opinion i. that if any. only a small depurturs from the present limit should be mad< that s10,000 should be the maximum Proposed Measure . Frsak Act. 4 Senator Donovan characterized thu proposed measure as a freak act, whicf no other state has and gets along yer, well without
 At this point. at the suggestion o. Colonel Pope, a majority of the nanal facturers present indicated by raisiny their hapds that they were ip fNvSr q