The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-13

Hu He was uppOIJeu Dy SeNcId al was almost unanimous. 1 Probably never before in the history of Alabama has such an important measure | been permitted to go the route the com pensation bill went after a discinsion of more than day on it's merits and de- merits. The turning of the tide" began after Mir. Acker. administration floor leader had been able to put another of his amendments through the senate. The members voted against an amendment Of Watt Y. Brown. senator from St. Clair, which would have killed Acker's amend ment No. 1, adopted Tuesday afternoon. It is believed that Leith. strongest sup porter of the compensation measure in it's original form, decided upon the course to pursue after the Brown amendment had lost, but whatever caused his deci- sion to ask for postponement, it also brought renewed vigor to win one battle on the floor, and this battle was the | postponement of the bill for an 'indef- mite period"
 FIRST. BUSINESS OF DAY | The morning session of the senate be- gan with the consideration of the meas | uIe as unllnlSHeu DuSlncSS oA luSSudSs Amendment No, 9 of Acker, made tho maximum compensation at SIP, with min | imum of S6, the total compensation as being not more than Sio0o, This was adopted, and then Mir. Bedsole added amendment, making the total compensa tion not more than A500. This amend ment was adopted.
 | Amendments up to lS were made. when Senator Brown introduced what later de veoped as the last one before the death of the measure by the hands of the author. Mir. Browns amendment would have been No. n. but the senate would not adopt this one,
 Amendment No. IS lost and the author had fought losing battle ever since the Imeasurescame up as special and para mount order of the day Tuesday
 LEITH IS RECOGNIZED
 The senate was ready to take the vote GIT the bill when Leith arose and was
 recognized by the chair. The author of
 the bill went into the details of the long
 drawn out discussions among members of the commission charged with the duty of drawing up the bill That they were able judges of what was a good com
 pensation bill the senators would agree. said the speaker.
 He reiterated he had discussed, the l measure with the governor, saying the governor had expressed himself desir ing that the bill go through at the pres ent session, so that, if necessary, amend inents could be added when the law makers gather for the second and last session in the summer.
 Again the governor saw me at the Exchange hotel and inquired as to the lineup for the measure in the senate. said Senator Leith 1 q told him of the opposition that had developed. and he said again he wanted the bill passed That bill came up yes | terday, and fellow senators, l believe 1 that you do not know what is in it. There are whole pages out and many have been added, and I doubt if the bill could ever get to the house. In the house it Is probable there would be amendments.
 The main features have been picked out, and now, fellow senators, make a motion for the indefinite postponement of consideration of the bill
 WEST STATES POSITION
 After Senator Brscoe made q speech in favor of postponement so that care 1 ful consideration could be given 1t, Senator West of Jefferson county, pledged l to support the original bill, or a just | bill| as he termed it. made the star | speech of the day.
 1 'I have studied the bill with all my ability and I promised my people during the campaign that l would support compensation bill" said Senator West.
 He told of the feeling of unrest among laborers in Alabama. He wanted to sea the day come when labor and capital l would shake hands, Pleading for post poneInent so that fair compensation bill ] could be decided upon he said Alabama 1 stands at the bottom of the ladder Nbe- cause of sefishness on the part ot the i citizens He described the pathetic con ditions that exist in coal mining towns, "I will not vote for bill which gives [ such mere pittauce, although l did prom isc my people would support tne ! compensation bill said Senator West. 'I would be ashamed to go back home ! and tell my friends: Here is the thing l 1 voted for and l want you to accept it.
 Senator Craft of Mobile. another strong 1 speaker for indefinite postponement, said 1 he had always been fair to capital ana labor, but that he wanted to vote for fair compensa ton bill for the workmen and for employers. He told of getting
 about 20 telegrams from his district. each asking for postponement of the measure.
 q believe we should come back after tke recess and enact a fair compensation bill" said Senator Craft.
 After several had spoken for postpone ment Senator Acker. whose amendments caused so much dissatisfaction on the lrart of the bills friends, spoke. He did not object to the postponement of con- sideration of the bill.
 Congress Urged to
 Fix Porto Rico Policy