Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-22
HEARING HELD
0NEMPL0YERS'
LIABILITY LAW
Phillips, Wrightman, Urick
and President Rogers,
Representing Two Sides,
Speak to Legislators.
[BY ORA WILLIAMS. /

Des Moines, Feb. 21--Legislator
yesterday heard a good deal about
laws for employers liability and work
mems compensation, getting very
much information s,as.nsthe merits or
denerits Of the various bills before
the general assembly.
ing before the joint committee on
judiciary. Those who spoke were
George A. Wrightman. w. r. Rogers.
Henry Phillips. A. L. Uric and others.
It was developed that as matters
stand, Mr.. Wrightman, representing
the manufacturers association, ad-
vises that nothing be done, but that
Iowa wait and see what other states
accomplish, and that generally the
whole plan is so dangerous that 1t
would be unwise to enter upon it now.
1t was found that the coal miners,
as represented by President Rogers,
have no very clear idea as to what
bill they desire or how 1t should be
worked out. but they desire some legis-
laticn on the subject that will accom-
plish the result and aid in lessering
accidents.
1t was shown that the operators. as
represented by Henry Phillips, are
opposed to all legislation on the sub:
ject, and especially to the commission
bill
Mr.. Urick, for the federation of
labor and the workers generally,
favored the commission or Clarxson
bill and opposed the Wrightman or
manufacturers bill.
Wrlqhtman Would Wait.
Mr.. Wrightman said that two years
ago there was not law on the sub
ject In any state, now there are six
teen such. He said the compensation
in the commission bill Is too high.
"The Clarkson bill is unconstitutional"
he said, from any one of half dozen
different points of view It Is unfair,
unjust, impractical and If passed It
will not stand the test Of the courts.
There is not anywhere any such law
as is proposed. There is no precedent
for this bill, no experience on wtich
it can be based, and no demand for it
except from very few persons. We
can better afford to wait and see what
other states can do with their laws
than to rush in with such measure
as this"
For cIarkson Bill.
President Rogers Of the mine work
ers' union, declared that the minc
workers desire some legislation on the
subject and they have confidence that
the legislature can do justice to fhe
men. He believed it would be right to
pass the Clarkson bill, not only be-
cause it would secure compensation,
but 1t would tend to lessen accidents.
Complaint is made," he said, that it
would place burdens upon industry.
have never seen the time yet when
any legislation was asked for the up
lit OF labor and the betterment Of
labor conditions, but that the argu-
ment was used 1t would increase the
cost of production. But righteous men
do not want cheap things when that
cheapness is stained with human
blood"
Henry Phillips declared that the ren-
son the employers were here is be-
cause they realize the danger they are
In from the heavy burdens that would
be added il the commission bill stould
become law.
A. l.. Urick of the federation Of
labor, inveighed against the constant
cry Of "Wait, wait" which he said
was always raised when measures of
this kind are proposed. He said nc had
abundant confidence In the wisdom
and patriotism Of members of the Iowa
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