United labor bulletin., 1911-06-22
COMPENSATION FOR
TIL E WORKING MAN
HEARINGS RE-OPENED BY THE COM.
MITTEE OF NATIONAL
CONGRESS.

The congressional commission ap-
pointed to investigate the subject Of
workmen's compensation has reopened
its hearings At the last session previous
to the one mentioned adjournment was
taken upon the suggestion Of the COM
mission to await 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 shed
light upon the enactment Of the measure
under consideration. The first session
OF the reopened hearings was devoted
to a discussion Of the constitutional
phases in the enactment of eompensa-
ton law. There were present represen-
tatives Of the American Federation of
the railway brotherhoods and attorneys
for numerous railroads
Attorney Miles NJ Dawson. an expert
actuary, also appeared in advocacy OF
such law. There IS apparently a unan-
Unity OF opinion among all those appear
ing before the, commission. relative to
the needs of such law. There is a diff
ference. however. as to the manner in
which II shall be applied The discussion
on the constitutional phase of the ques-
lion which attracted the most attention,
was that by Miles NJ. Dawson of New
York. Mr.. Dawson has made a special
study OF this particular feature, having
isited various countries where working
mems compensation laws are in actual
operation. His contention was. that the
constitution gave the right of the fed
eral government to enact a law cover
ing this feature and putting 1t into actual
operation by an excise tax. and he based
his contention on the opening section of
ha nf ha ITufto
which says; I'VE. the people of the
United States. in order TO form a more
perfect union. establish Justice. insure
domestic tranquility. provide for the COM
mon defense. promote the general well
fare" etc. He laid stress upon the fact
that the words promote the general
welfare" gave the law-making power of
the federal government ample authority
to establish system of workingmen's
compensation. II was also stated that
the collection of this excise tax would
be direct from the employer. and he. in
turn. adding 1t to the cost of production.
would be distributed and eventually paid
by the consuming public. This feature
apparently met the views of those who
were present and actively interested
Mr.. Dawsons narrative of the operation
of this law in Germany. which he stated
in his opinion and that of those who
nave maut u tnOTOuEu luNeSuk1UOu. was
the very best plan extant. was exceed
ingly interesting. Under the operation
of the laws in Germany. poverty has
been almost wiped out of existence and
employers and employees are in accord
with the general plan in force. True.
some minor details need alteration. but
as a general proposition 1t has worked
very successfully. 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 retard-
ing the growth and efficiency of the Ia
Dor organizations of that country; on the
other hand. the organizations 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 Fed
Grafton OF Labor and delivered n master
full exposition of workmen's compensa-
tion law. The council was very much
impressed with his intimate knowledge
and deeply interested in the facts which
he had gathered from all sections of the
world. As result OF Mr.. Dawson's ap'
pearance before the council. commit
tee was selected from members OF the
executive council to make thorough In
vestigation of the scheme outlined by
Mr.. Dawson.