The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-11
ON
MEASURE
LIVELY
Charges Of Propaganda
Against Workmen's Compen-
sation, Bill Are Aired.

neCGHL charges CnAL W4QSSpEGAO
propaganda has been used to bring
about defeat of the Fitzgerald
workmen's compensation bill for
the District of Columbia occasioned
several lively alterations during
a hearing on the bill today before
the special subcommittee of the
House District Committee.
Charges Suppression Of Data.
The first came when Congress.
man Roy G.. Fitzgerald, author of
the bill and chairman Of the sub
committee, accused Charles J.
Columbus, secretary Of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation, with attempting to sup
press information.
Columbus testified that his asso.
citation was opposed to the Fitz.
gerald bill because Of the govern
ment supervision feature.
You would destroy the rights OF
companies to take part in hlsi.
ness" he stated. He declared that
he knew many companies that
wished to carry on their own work.
mems insurance funds.
Congressman Fitzgerald request
ed that he name these companies.
Columbus stated that there were
telephone companies and railway
companies and then attempted to
GO on with his statement
Refused Information.
Fitzgerald interrupted him and re.
quested that he name the specific
companies. Columbus refused.
You refuse to give to this COM
mittee the names OF these companies
when you know that the committee
is entitled to this information?"
Eyes, l feel that / must" Column
bus replied.
Fitzgerald stated that he had re.
ceived only one application from
District concern which wished to
conduct it's own compensation insur-
ance. He stated that If there is a
demand. he would be willing to vote
for modification Of the bill. He then
intimated that Columbus might have
been carried away with zeal into ex-
aggerating his statement, and in.
vited him to withdraw Il.
mo, I prefer to let It stand" Co.
lumbus replied.
"How many railway companies
have talked to your" Fitzgerald
asked.
Two"
Local companies?"
ct prefer not to state."'
1.-THE telephone company"
Eyes,
Fitzgerald then asked IL there
were any other companies which
had apDroached Columbus. Colum.
bus stated there had been, but that
In view "of certain incident which
occurred just before the committee
meeting he preferred not to name
them.
The committee heard Elliott Fl.
Goodwin, secretary to the United
States Chamber of Commerce, who
stated that his organization was
opposed to the Fitzgerald bill.
Cites Propaganda Campaign.
Goodwin voluntarily brought up
reference to a propaganda cam.
palgn said to have been conducted
Wy WIG SildtlOcT III ODDOS1IIOn 10
the Fitzgerald bill.
"The inference given is that the
Chamber Of Commerce has been
doing something improper" he
stated. II wish to emphatically
deny that"
Congressman Charles L. Under.
HILL of Massachusetts,, who has in.
troduced a District Workmen's com.
pensation bill in opposition to the
Fitzgerald bill, then took note of
charges that he had been in collu.
sion with the propaganda ring by
asking Goodwin the following cues.
Mr.. Goodwin, this is the first
time we have ever met. and the
dirst time we have ever communi.
Denies Insurance Influence.
Goodwin replied that It was. He
aenled that the action of the cham.
per had been influenced by the in.
terests OF the Insurance. Companies.
me committee also heardw Carl
Hookstadt, expert of the Bureau
OF Labor, division Of statistics Il. r.
CoHaday, president Of the Washing.
ton Board Of Trade; David M. lea,
president Of the District insurance
Rating Board, and T.. G. Graham,
or the Washington Roa~1 ~ Trade