The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-17

BILL WILL PASS
DELEGATE BLOCK ONLY ONE Wo
OFFER AMENDMENT AND
THEY WERE OF MINOR
IMPORTANCE.
Bill Is Endorsed BY Labor, Capital
and other Interests and viii
Undoubtedly Pass.
(BY w. r. KEYSER,)
(Staff CorrespondentO

CHARLESTON. W. Va. Feb. l6-
The dvancement past it's amending
stage Of the bill revising the work
mems compensation act as reported
out by the House committee on in
surance, was a feature OF the pro-
ceedings in the House of Delegates
today. No amendments were made
when the bill was on its second read
ing, other than those offered by its
patron. Delegate Bloch. of Ohio coun-
~, chairman OF the insurance COM
mittee which drafted the bill.
The bill is endorsed by the State
Federation OF Labor and by manufac-
turers and the largest employers in
the state. Many or these were pres
ent when the bill was under consid-
GRAFTON and the State Federation OF
Labor. which is In session in this
city this week. adjourned during the
morning. in order that its delegates
could be present at the session OF the
House.
Afew attempts to amend the bill
were made by persons other than
chairman Bloch. but accomplished
nothing. The voting was not marked
by the partisanship that had been ex-
pected and Delegate Hall. OF Wetzel.
and other Democrats sIcke in favor
OF the bill and voted against proposed
amendments as did a very large ma
jority OF the Republicans.
ProVoks Discussion.
Considerable discussion followed the
introduction OF an amendment by
Judge Wertz. of Kanawha county. to
provide that any employee may elect
70 refrain from accepting compensl-
ton from the commission II his injury
has been caused by gross negligence
on the part of the employer. and may
take action in the ocutts to recover
damages, but in the event that he lost
in court, the workman could not re-
lceiye the compensation offered under
the act.
The amendment elected a storm of
Opposition on the grounds that IL OMEN
ed the way to litigation which would
be costly TO the injured workman and
would delay his recover of damages.
Delegate Brown, Of Marshall, support
ed the amendment, speaking az length
In its favor. but II was defeated by an
overwhelming vote.
During the afternoon Brown offered
/ other amendments which would al
! low recourse to the courts, but they
were promptly voted down. The bill
was then advanced to its third read.
ing. and will come up for passage to.
morrow morning.
Passed Eight Bills.
The house during the day passed
eight bills. including one permitting
counties TO issue bonds TO aid in con.
struction OF Lake Erie and Ohio river
ship canal. and the Moreland bin.
! prohibiting the Dissertation Of the
United States ana state flags The
Z fit revising the road laws Of the
state was advanced 10 third reading.
while the Blessing bill. redistricting
the state into six congressional dis.
tricts. was held over until tomorrow.
retaining its place on the calendar.
Ten new bills we're introduced In
the house. including one By Dele.
gate Bloch. OF Ohio. relating 10 hre
escapes on buildings
The labor committee reported. rec
ommcnding favorable action on the
bill re-organizing the department of
lator and providing more assistance
Tor the administration Of the WEIGHT
ana measures law