The Detroit times., 1912-03-13

the " hDA oNtRbAN a0NehsN"--
IN the bautwuEon. If there - a nAn'
s Der against the proposition, name
him. You couldn't find as defective
a politician as that IL you raked the
capital with a fine tooth comb.
However, II may be that Senator
Jimmie" Lee opened his mouth TO-
day and put his foot In IL.
You know James is Democrat
and he claims 10 be a Bryan Demo
--rn+-thft- is-e4te-s -.ltttle-d-
variety.
Well. the compensation act exempts
the farmer from the list OF employ
ers who have TO compensate Tor ac-
cidents. Senator Lee saw In this dis
elimination an indication OF un-Jef-
fersonian and un-Bryanistic class
legislation and he hauled on and
swatted Il with an intensity OF swat
ness. He knocked II down and jump
ed on IL. He said that SO per cent
OF Industrial accidents happened On
the farm and that the only reason
the farmer was favored in the bill
was because the bill could not pass
the farmery, grangey house unless
the tillers OF the soil were specially
privileged In this manner, or words
TO that effect.
II was a rafting good talk. Jim
mie" Is there with the goods when
II comes TO that talking stun, but ac-
cording to current reports, he Is on
the right train but the wrong track.
Anyway. after all Of the ruthless
swatting. the bic OF alleged class leg
islation was inconsiderate enough OF
Senator Lees feelings TO get up.
shake itself bit and walk of as
though IL enjoyed the osteopathy
treatment.
Senator, Guy Miller is not usually
OF the hammerless sort. and this IL
not an inference that he is big
gun. He was equipped for hammering
some today and had a number OF
amendments and a bunch OF criti-
cisms to offer while the compensation
bill was being considered I'm the SEN
ate committee OF the whole.
By the way. this measure was on
in committee of the whole pretty
much OF the whole day in the house
and most OF the afternoon in the SEN
ate.
In the senate, Senator Taylor was
called to the chair and in the house
a similar honor was conferred upon
Rep. Smith.
But few amendments were made,
but more were offered.
Right on the start-out in the sem
ate, Senator Fowle handed out a
package OF sense of the genuine
horse brand. He cited the fact that
q specially appointed commission had
spent much time and had taken
great pains In the preparation OF the
pending bill and IL was his opinion
that the senators were logically not
competent to improve upon the
work Of this commission.
The senator from Chippewa SEEM
ed to strike responsive chord and
but few amendments got even
look in"
The insurance feature was cut out.
however. with q view TO the passing
of a separate act to cover the matter
OF providing for employers organizing
mutual companies for their own pro-
lection.
Senator Cartier offered an amend
ment which was still pending when
the senate adjourned and which Is
not liable to be received with much
favor. His amendment provided that
a $4,000 company, or less. would not
be compelled to compensate for in
juries In excess OF its net income.
Senator James says this would kill
the bill.
Over in the house the principal
amendment adopted was one intro
duced by Rep. Graves and which was
aimed TO eliminate discrimination
against the married employe. The
bill prior to this amendment let the
employer on with cost not TO exceed
$500 IL the victim were a single man
and Rep. Graves held that this might
make 1t difficult for married men to
get employment.
The representatives are determined
that the workmen's compensation act
Is to be passed this week If nothing
else Ia done and IL the extra session
does not accomplish anything else,
Governor Osborn will probably have
this piece Of tremendously important
and splendidly progressive legisla-
ton to point to with pride.
FERRIS.