New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-12
FEAR CASUALTY
COMPANIES WORK
Labor Leaders See Dan
ger in Plan for Direct
Compensation.
FLOCK TO ALBANY
TO FIGHT CHANGES
Commissioner Wants Present
Law Tcsted-Employers
Back Amendment.
From st.r Correspondent Of III. Tribune. J

- rom y NlaU Correspondent OF Inc lFloIIe.I
Albany, Feb. 1l.-Distrust Of the
casualty companies was shown at a
hearing here to-day TO be the principal
cause Of the opposition Of labor men
to the bill of Senator Henry " Sage,
OF Albany. 10 amend the workmcn's
compensation law by permitting direct
settlements between injured employees
and employers. The majority of the
manufacturing ana industrial concerns
of the state still obtain their compen-
sation insurance from casualty COM
panies. and the workingmen fear that
direct settlement would be between the
injured employees and the casualty com
panies.
Advocates of the bill replied that
the Compensation Commission had the
final word on all awards, and that Sc
we're penalties were imposed on the
casualty company or employer IN case
of an unfair settlement.
Representatives of nearly all OF the
labor organizations OF the state OPP
Iosed the bill. j. Mayhem Wainwright
Republican member of the Compensa-
ton Commission, said he and his col
leagues greatly doubted the wisdom OF
the proposed amendments.
1.-TWO purposes for them are put Tor
ward" he said; that they would save
expense and that quicker payments
could be made. The expense should
not be considered if unfortunate re-
suits arc brought about. Undoubtedly
changes are needed for the compensa-
ton law. but first give It fair test.
Six months is not long enough"
lie said he would not object TO en-
blowers who are self-insurers making
voluntary payments TO injured en-
ploycs. but that these payments should
merely be on account, pending mai
settlement by the commission.
81 represent one of these wicked
casualty companies" said William n.
Uotchkiss. former State Insurance
commissioner. He declared that of
the nineteen states that have compeh,,
sation laws New York and Maryland
we're the only ones that do not have
direct settlements. He said the ca
sualty companies had improved.
81 put it up to Commissioner VAIN
wright" he said.
"While the casualty companies, re
piled Mr.. Wainwright, have been IN
the main fair, there have been great
many cases where we could not have
safely left the claims to the com
Danies. Sometimes their fairness has
been induced by urging of the commits
sion"
John c. Chase, of the New York State
Manufacturers Association, said that
the manufacturers supported the Sage
bill because they believed It would give
the employee prompt payment and save
the state a big expense. He SAID most
employers wanted to see their employees
get fair treatment.
Others who spoke for the bill were
A. f. Crockett, of the Rochester Cham.
Der of Commerce; Martin +. Daily, OF
Buffalo; A. +. Cluett, of Troy; Irving
T. Bush, Of the National Civic Asso--
citation; c. A. Craig, of the General
Contractors Association, and +. b. De
Berard of the Merchants Association:
Opponents of the measure included
John 7. McDonough, counsel for the
State Federation Of labor; John j.
Hanley, chairman of the legislative
committee Of the Federation of Labor;
John NJ. O'Hanlon. OF the Troy Central
Federation of Labor; James ?. Holland,
of the Central Labor Council Of New
York; Richard H. Curran, Of Roches-
ter; jeremiah T. Carey, of Albany;
Thomas Ryan, of the Carpenters
Union of New York; Charles 7. Yates,
of the Trades Assembly of Syracuse;
William Kohn, representing the uphol-
sterers of New York; John j. Collins,
Of New York; John T. O'Brien, of
Syracuse. and John c. lmhoff, OF the
Bronx Board of Business Agents.