The union times., 1945-07-07
State Legislature Is Evaluated By GEL.
Conn. Convention Not Be Held
Legislators Both Praised And Blamed Bulletin To Be Compiled By Federation As Soon As All Information
 Is Available O.D.T. Rules Against Convention

legislators praised blamed by Presi- dent Timothy M Collins and Assistant Secretary John A. Caspic in report submitted quarterly meeting of the Executive Board of the Connecticut Federation of LabOr Friday evaluatng action taken the FederatiOns leg lative Caspc has been serving the FederaiOn Acting Legislative Representative during the illness of Secre tary Treasurer Harold V. Feinmark.
 Passage of good, workable State Labor Relations and liberalization of the Unemployment and WOrkmens Compensation Acts in certain respects said the Federation officers should close eyes the fact that the reactionary forces who worked against the of fair State Labor Relations Act Obbed excellent labor legislation to death.
 Workmen's Compensation
 "Despe the support of the WOrxmen's Compensation Commissioners for increase in compensation injured workers from 50 per 60 per of their average and the belief expressed by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin in his inaugural message the General Assembly last January that payments could per cent, the proposal killed by the Joint Labor Committed To the that the bill iberalized in reducing waiting period from three weeks to two weeks and in allow ing higher payments for the loss of parts of thumbs and fingers the General Assembly deserves credit but major proposal extend the Acts benefits the legislators cepted the guidance of the lobbyists who fused compromise and turned thumbs down fairer aid workers injured in the factories of this stae
 An important legislative achievement, however, creation of Second Injury Fund.- which should be of special benefit to handicapped veterans.'
 Unemployment Compensation
 Referring the Unemployment Compensation Act the officers criticized the House and the Senate extending period by only two weeks and for failure bring employers of workers under it's provisions The latter proposal they pointed expressly by Governor Baldwin in his message the General Assem- bly,"
 'Insead of making provision tide workers and their families they sad Con realistic basis through sOnabe period of the legislature the recommendations of such body the COun- c of State enghen the period 26 weeks and instead threw labor unsatisfactory sop.
 Provding allowances of $2 week for dependents up three was progressive sep but the General AsseTb of dependents from $22 SPA week disappointing"
 Wage Collection Law Rejected
 Expressing appreciation for the passage of laws reduce the maximum work week of and minors in public from g 48 and of employees ions to 4S the Federation officers nevertheless Chded the legislators for rejecting the proposal reduce hours for women and minors in mercantile establishments from 48 to AS a week.
 "Another bl they continued whch met an undeserved fate the Wage Collection law killed by Judici Committee Thus denied the relief had hoped obtain for workers victimized by unscruPuous employers
 Helped State and Municipal Workers
 Mr. Collins and Mr. Caspic declared their qualification the enactment of much of the legislation sought by ate county and municipal employees with the support of the Federation and said these workers deserved every of security.
 Discussing FEPC proposal which the Federation had supported they praised the Senate adopting bill and remarked unfortunate that the House had failed legislation curb discrimination empIoyment The defeat of the bill prevent the hiring of children under IA for work in tobacco fields they termed shameful and disgrace to COnnectcut.N
 Proceedings Still Unavailable
 Even at this late date, the Federation leaders on, we have been unable learn how of the bills up ported ared in the confusion of the final days legislative session. Our inquiries in Hartford have with the statement that only when the journal of the last days printed will the correct information be available sad commentary the conditions that prevailed General Assembly this year when hundreds were dis pOseu OI the Hna week. such situation made order for lobbyists intent upon kning progressive labor Iega ton in the dark When bills rushed through printed copies unavailable and adequate discussion issues is prevented and democracy is i'll served
 The impasse that occurred the Assembly that held up action many bills to human fail. ngs much in opinion, the existing set up which obviously requires drastic Overhaulng be hoped the citizens of state will insist that conditions responsible for legislative log jams will be eliminated repetition of this unhappy situation will occur'
 To Issue Legislative Bulletin
 In accepting the the of the Feer aon authorized the issuance of legislative bulletin eating the disposition of bills backed by Federation soon as complete information is available, be affiliated unions in the The Board extended thanks to Legislative Agent Feinmark Acting Legislative
 Continued on Page Three)