Evening star., 1927-02-16
BILLS FOR WORKERS
WARMLY DEBATED
Employers and Labor Repre-
sentatives Discuss Pending
Compensation Measures.

The relative merits Of the Under.
hill and Fitzgerald workmens COM
pensation bills were debated for three
hours before the Citizens Advisory
Council last night by organized EN-.
ployers of Washington and repre-
employers were unanimous in support
Of the Underhill measure, while organ
ICED labor aimed shafts Of criticism at
it and gave their Endorsement to the
Fitzgerald bill.
The debate developed as a retult of
a public hearing called by the council
to consider the various worEmen s
compensation measures now pending
before Congress. The council already
has gone on record as favoring the
Fitzgerald bill. but criticism of it's ac-
ton moved this body to reconsider all
forms of proposed workmen's compen-
sation legislation. q
Council Takes no Action.
The council. however, took no ac.
ton after the debate, but accepted for
future consideration the verbal argu.
ments, documents and briefs of the
opposing factions.
The fight Of the business men
against the Fitzgerald bill was led by
W. w. Everett, vice president of
Woodward & Lothrop's, who pointed
out at the outset of the debate that
the business men Of Washington felt
that the council had made a big mis-
take in indorsing a bill that so wide
ly affects the business interests OF
the city without consulting them.
t~I> t~4 nd
bill and outlined its merits were Ed
win c.. Graham, president Of the
washington Board of Trade; Maj.
Gen. Anton Stephan, president of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation; Walter Balderson Of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
c. H. Warrington of the Washington
Autonotive Trade Association; w. j.
Eynon, representing the Employing
Printers; Thomas L. Baldwin. jr..
superintendent Of insurance OF the
District; James P. Shick of the Wash
ington Real Estate Board, Edward ).
Brashears of the Washington Insur-
ance Club, and James l.. Madden of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce.
Labor Forces Led by Warren.
The forces of organized labor were
marshaled behind George A. Warren
of the Central Labor Union. Labor's
opening attack on the Underhill Dill
was made by Edgar Wallace OF the
American Federation of Labor. Sup
norting him were John B.sAndrews
of the American Association for Labor
legislation. and John B. Colpoys,
editor of the Trade Unionist.
Epitomized, the arguments OF the
business men described the Fttzgeraio
| hill as communistic, monpollstlc ana
| a vehicle for Nationwide propaganda.
They also contended that 1t would IN
crease taxation and PROVIDE Tor en-
croachment on private business by
the Federal Government. Mr.. war.
rinston pointed out that the bill would
! destroy the inalienable right of free
dom of contract" while Gen. Stephan
| declared it's provisions provide oppor'
tunities for fraud.
Adverse View Voiced.
The labor men, on hte other hand
/ contended that employees would se'
more compensation with greater Ger.
| taintv under the Fitzgerald bill, ano
! explained that 1t was carefully planneo
| TO meet a unique situation fucn as
| EXISTS in Washington, where they SAID
| the employment hazard is high. They
also declared that it would provide
| cheap per insurance for the employers
and more prompt payment for EN-
| ployes.
| Mr.. Andrews told the council that
| the House District committee mas IN
dorsed the Fitzgerald bill three times,
and he anpealed to the body to con
| Arm it's previous action in supporting