Evening star., 1924-02-15
FIGHT ON M'CARL.
GOING NGTOCONGRESS
Chairman of Compensation
Commission Says Final De-
cision Is imperative.
C0NFERS WITH COOLIDGE
Holding Up Payment to Disabled
Employees by Controllers Rul-
ing Is Resented.
C0NFERS WITH COOLIDGE

Mrs Bessie P. Brueggeman, chairman
or the federal employees compensa-
tion commission, is going to ask Con-
sress to enact legislation that will
"end for all time interference in the
operation of the commission by Con-
troller General j. R. McCari"
In making this course known today
at the White House, Mrs. Brueggeman
stated that the work of the commits
sion is being seriously hampered and
the law under which it is functioning
is not being fully complied with be-
cause OF refusals on the part of the
controller to allow the commission
to pay a certain number of employees
who were disabled because of illness
contracted while in the government
service. She contends that in carry
ing this fight with the controller to
Congress she is doing so to obtain
for federal employees compensation
which would otherwise be denied by
the controller.
Controversy Year Old.
The controversy between Control
Ter McCarl and the commission COW
ers period of more than twelve
months, and was recently brought to
an acute state when the official cut
off A H. Gardes, as diSbursing officer
for the commission, from making
further advances of money from tho
compensation fund. Mr.. McCarl also
recently disallowed $10,740.56, which
had been paid out Of the commissions
funds to employees because Of voca-
tional diseases. For paying out this
money, the controller is taking &C
tion against Mr.. Gardes, through a
bonded Gardes for $4,000.
The controversy started more than
a year ago when Mr.. McCarl noti-
fled the commission that he would
diSalloW the payment OF compensa-
ton for employees because of illness
or diseases contracted while in the
employ OF the government" Mrs.
Brueggeman, as head of the com
mission, took the matter 10 President
Harding, who later let Il be known
that he approved of the commission's
action, and asked for legal ruling
from the Attorney General Tho lat
ter was forthcoming shortly after
ward and it upheld the commission.
The controller continued MS oppoSlng
attitude, announcing that the law
governing his office did not require
him to be bound by such ruling.
Expects Coolidge to Act.
Although Mrs. Brueggeman made
no intimation to that effect, II Is
thought likely that President Cool
idge, after giving more study 10 tnls
governmental controversy, Will MAKE
known his personal views and wishes
TO Congress when the legislation be-
ing sought by the commission Is UP
for action.
More than half hundred members members
of the Italian-American Republican
National League called on president
Coolidge at the White House today
and, after paying their respects and
assuring. him of their support toI
the republican nomination, presented
resolutions adopted at a meeting mere
last night of the executive committee
of the league, indorsing his ADMINS
loyal support. The deputation was
headed by Philip Giordano.
1t was explained to the Presldent
that the league members are opposed
President was told that the proposed
legislation is unjust ana
un-American and discrimlnateSa against
friendly nations and against races
Cabinet In Session.
The President met with his cabinet
today for the first time in week.
The session itself consumed less than
NET members remained at the table Co
talk with the President for another
half hour.
Secretary DENLY of the Navy De-
partment, one of those to remain be-
hind, said afterward that he desired
to add nothing to the statement
formally made by him regarding his
connection with the leasing of the
naval oil reserves and regarding his
resignation.
Attorney General Daugherty did not
care to discuss the testimony before
the Senate oil committee to the et-
feet that he had given an oral opln-
ion that the leasing OF oil lands In
question was legal.