The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-01
GOVERNOR DEMANDS
INSURANCE REFORM
Insists On Immediate Amend
ment Of WOrkmen's Com
pensation Act.
MANY ARE DEFRAUDED
Hearings on Income Tax Bill
to Begin on Tuesday of
Next Week.
Special Despotch to THE Sun.

ALBANY, March SIN q special mes
sage to the Legislature tonight, Gov.
Smith demanded immediate revision of
the workmen's compensation act to pre-
vent direct settlement between injured
employees and the insurance carriers,
suggesting that the legislators read the
report Of Jeremiah f. Common showing
that many injured persons have been
defrauded by the insurance companies.
in some instances being bilked of $4,000
or more. g..
with these facts brought to your at
tention 1t seems to me that there Is a
duty before you either to perform or to
present to the people OF the State some
very good reason for the continuance of
a condition which thinking men and
women will not tolerate" wrote the Gov
ernor. II urge you to forthwith amend
the law and abolish direct settlements.'
James A. Foley. Democratic leader,
introduced bills Ia the Senate carrying
out the Governors recommendation, and
asked for immediate advancement to
third reading. ]. Henry Walters. Re-
publican leader. objected.
Senator Foley tried to get a direct
statement from the majority leader that
the Senators would have a chance to
vote ON the bill. but Senator Walters had
the measure take the usual course"
which means that 1t goes tn committee
and will DO reported for consideration
by the Senate only II a majority OF the
committee members can be convinced 1t
should.
Senator Walters said the report OF Mr..
Connor would be printed INN ediately 80
the Senators would have IL on their
desks
Senator Walters handed w huge
bundle of twenty seven bins. the result
OF the work OF the Joint legislative COM
mittee on the sinplincation OF civil Sprac-
tee IN the courts of New York STATE,
which has been working since 1918.
The main bill he introduced pro- ses a
new "civli practice act" in LOO sec
tons, in which will be fou-d the civil
practice in the County Courts, Supreme
Court. Appellate Division and the Court
OF Appeals.
Various amendments TO the Anti
Saloon Leagues prohibition enforce
ment bill were proposed in compliance
with the many objections made to the
original bill. The measure originally
would not permit search Of private
dwelling unless 1t was a place OF pub
lie resort or liquor was sold there In
violation of the law. Tho amended
| measure expressly defines dwelling &c
include apartments.
The amended bill also provides for thu
appointment by the enforcement com
| missioner OF a committee of three
physicians and two druggists. who shall
decide whether liquids sold as medi.
cines really are indicated sufficiently &c
prevent their use as beverages. Pro-
vision has been made to protect manu-
facturers OF dealcoholized wines. Pas.
teurizat!on OF apple Juice or cider also
| Is permitted.
Frederick NJ. Davenport. chairman o.
| the legislative tax committee. an
nounced that hearings on the income
tax bill proposed by the committee
woul. begin = week from tomorrow
There has been q big demand for copies
| OF the bill
From United States Senator Calder
came approval of the income tax bill
| He opposed any action rh"' vii result,
| IN heavier taxes on real estate.
'If this means an income tax" he
| wrote. then much as l should regret
to see an income tax imposed 7 think
| Il should be enacted. II with that a
! business tax Is necessary to produce the
| revenue. i think II should be enacted
and that the Legislature should have the
courage to do the right thing with con-
fdence that the voters will recognize
| II has done the right thing