Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-16

E1dTtIOfu, II CD. lo.-1NanudactuTefS, faboring men, representatives of un- ions, ciergymen and legislative mem bers crowded the house chamber this afternoon for the first of the hearings given by the joint committee on ju- dietary and labor on all bills for an employers liability law and a work ingrnans compensation act. Everyone listened with great attention to the of the cases for such laws, and the long, fluent and lucid argument by Mir Emery in behalf of the manufacturers, of the state against both measures along lines of bills which have been introduced. MT. Efn- cry acts also for the National Associ- ation of Manufacturers and is consid- cred to be an authority on matters of this kind. The committee was pre- sided over by Senator Judson. To- it is expected that organized labor will be even more generally rep send a large delegation who will take issue with some of those who are rep resenting labor bodies
 Representative Meltzer's Argument.
 Representative Meltzer of Bridgeport. opened the hearing by going into the application of bill he had put in for a liability law, he asking for time to- morrow to speak on a compensation act, as in his opinion the one is not to the other. Mr. Meltzer began to discuss the principles of enn- plOyerS liability. saying that his bill would abrogate the fellow servant rule, the assumption of risks in mak- ing contracts and would restore to employees their rights under the com mon law of which they had been de- prived by the operation of what he termed self made law instead of legis- lative enactment.
 f. TXeas aynrayga6 the hp1I6f that the committee could draw an adequate bill which would not be objectionable to employers and would afford employees protection.
 Explains Fellow Servant Rule.
 He then proceeded to explain the rule of fellow servant, the operation of it as interpreted in Connecticut. the doctrine of contributory negligence and the assumption sof risks, when, after speaking for half an hour, Representa- tive. Banks interrupted to say that the speaker was dealing entirely with e1- ementary principles with which the members of the committee were famil- far. Whaf was desired was that MT. Meltzer should point out what changes he could recommend to meet the prob lem which was before the committee in drafting liability law.
 Mr. MeltZer then concluded by point ing out that the committee should have in view the restoring to work inglnen the rights which have been taken from them under present day conditions of employment.
 Representing Congregational Churches
 Rev. Dr. c. $. MacFarlane of South Norwalk, representing the industrial and social committee of the state con- ference of Congregational churches, said he appeared in behalf of that body by reason of a vote of the conference He advocated that the bill be drawn with certain definite moral principles Absolute abolition of the fellow serv- ant rule is favored.
 From Moral Point of View.
 Tn the employers liability bill the freedom of contract should be struck out; man should not have the priv ilege to assume risk whlcn also en- tails great danger to fellow servants and to the public at large. He said that the problem before the committee was one of the greatest before the general assembly from the moral point of view.
 Rev. MT. Wisner was called upon, and he said that the only ground on which the committee came before the legislature was of morals It believes in abrogation of the fellow servant rule contributory negligence and as- sumption of risks. The unfortunate conditions which compel an ernploye to go to court to prove an injury with MT. MacFarlane that some sort of an automatic compensation feature should be incorporated in the law.
 Hartford c. L. us Draft.
 The Hartford Central Labor union presented a draft of bill, which was not read, but received by the commit tee.
 President c. J. Donahue for the State Federation of Labor. spoke of drafted a bill for a liability law which passed the house last session, but was lost in the senate. He said that the workingnen of the state looked upon that as g. fair bill in which they had ceded much. Upon it's failure to pass they felt that they had been tricked and are now urging more drastic leg islation. He then went into the his tory of workingmen's acts and decis- ions and also of the opinion of Judge Hamfnersey, who had said that the laws in the state as applied to work ingmen's conditions were ill adapted to modern conditions.
 For State Federation of Labor.
 Then he spoke of the injustice of charging everything, even to human breakage, to product. and asked what inducements are offered to young men to follow the employment of their ia : thers. He said that the workingmen had patiently and silently borne their share of the burden which comes from the employer charging everything to the product. Hasn't the time arrived in this state when trades should be made reasonably safe and attractive he asked Hasn't the other fellow been protected long enough? What we ask is imnie6iate and reasonable relief by abrogBtion of the fellow servant rule.
 To Mir Chandler, Mir. Donahue said that the federation should be satis- fled with abrogation of the fellow servant rule.
 Asied About Compensation Act.
 Does your organization desire a compensation act and in accepting it waive rights under the common law?'' asked MT. Chandler.
 Mir. Donahue replied that if the leg islature should pass a compensation law itS would be accepted, but at the best he thought it would be a milk and water sort of an act, because no ade- quate law Of this kind has been passed by any state. We do know" said he : if the assembly should aabrogate the fellow servant rule we shall be satis- tied'r
 Senator Dickernan asked Mir. pona- sllifa IF lie thought there was anythinA te ent ! NorkinaInal frar2 trfOrs