Omaha daily bee., 1914-11-22
LABOR IS MAKING
DISTINCT PROGRESS
Grant Hamilton, Federation Official,
Speaks at Central Labor
Union.
COMPENSATION LAW ONE STEP
Advises Members 20 Agree on Whas
they want and Go 60 Lincoln
In United Force 20
Get NJ.

Il congratulate the labor people OF Ne
5raska on having finally secured the pas
SAGE OF a workmens' compensation law
here" said Grant Hamilton. of the legis-
ative committee OF the American Fedora
ion OF Labor. who came from Washing
ION. ID. g.. to address the Central Labor
snion OF Omaha last night at tho Labor
temple. You have osta blished prin-
,iple that industry must pay its just pro-
portion 20 society. You are not merely
selling legs and arms at $500 apiece or so.
but you must see 70 Vt that this law Is so
.strictly enforced that 1t viii become next
o impossible for these accidents to &C.
rnr in the big industries
True, you here have had some difficulty
over this matter. But ] like the spirit
~ the gentleman who said here this
evening. Let's agree On what we want
That is really the big thing. When you
ave agreed on n thing. then you can 80
o lincoln with solid 'front.' and you
viii get what you want
what t. I'm sight.
"Our cause 60 win must be a just cause.
we cannot live by sharp practices.
When we ask Tor legislation on a certain
soint we must be prepared 20 prove our
svery contention with regard 20 that re-
quest. True, we do not move so fast at
lines But an army can move only as
asst as its slowest regiment We cannot
lfford 20 make mistakes"
In the matter OF national legislation.
he speaker reviewed some OF the legis-
alton that has been accomplished and
Itated that the passage of three more
avs would complete the labor peoples
Dill OF grievances. These he said are the
Burnett immigration bill. the convic,
abor bill. and the sailors rights bill.
And" he said. I'VE have every assur-
M tnce that when congress meets In the
4 hort session December Z. these bills will
4 De enacted into law"
The speaker rejolced over the fact thai
seventeen members of the new congress
iro labor men. He declared this would
i've the labor people the balance Of
lower in congress-
Before the close 81 the meeting some
proposed amendments 70 the compensa'
ION law were agreed upon. 70 DC sub
nitted to the Nebraska Federation Of La
Dor at It's next meeting. There were
our proposed amendments, First. that q
3. commission be created 10 pass upon
81 claims and awards under the compensa
s. ion act Second, that the schedule o
Fl awards in the present act shoul'
1. Be modified and increased. Third
hat an injured workman should have
he right 10 exercise the option 10 sue
Il n the event he can ailege negligence or
he part Of the employer. and that In the
Fl vent he is unsuccessful in his suit. hi
hall not be prejudiced in his claim fo
Compensation under the compensation
let. Fourth. that In n suit for damages
or negligence on contingent fee con
racts. the lawyers fec shall be fixed b,
he commission created TO pass oil
laiEns
Victor Rosewater. editor OF The Be-
vas present st the meeting by invita-
ion He was called upon for talk afte
dr. Hamilton's speech. but made onll
,rlcf remarks. explaining that he ha'
ONE TO hear Mr.. Hamilton and not 4
peak.