The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-03-10
SENATE GIVES
 OK TO PORTAL PAY MEASURE
Barn Bill Is Recalled from House - HaIibuter
 Tax Is Killed

An apparently simple amendment to the Statute of Limitations" was unveiled in the Alaska Senate this morning as measure of far reaching import and another in the recent series of bills affecting la bor.
 The measure, s. B l04. passed the Senate by 15-1 vote, after that body had heard attorney H L. Faulkner describe it's import Faulk ner stated that it largely affects portal-to-portal pay claims" The bill would decrease the period i'll which such claims can be brought from six years to two years.
 Most of the States, Faulkner said, are setting the limitation at one year and now before the Senate of the United States is an act to make one year the limit also in ap- plications under Federal law. Many other types of actions besioes DOT tal-pay claims would be affected Faulkner said, but difficulties now arising are largely under wage-hour ! laws
 He cited the case of the Alaska | Juneau mine, where interpretations reached back some years to hold ! the company liable for $400,000 ir back overtime pay That amount was settled for $50,000 as far as the 1 government was concerned. but since that time several actions have 1 been filed by individual employees The harm has all been done to the A-J, Faulkner declared ir pointing to a need for protection against similar future situations Faulkner's remarks were agreed tC entirely by attorney R. E. Robert son. Claims covered by the bill art those based upon statutes.
 The bill passed the Senate witt only Frank Peratrovich voting ] against it. It carries an emergency clause.
 Compulsory Arbitration"
 Another measure in which labol is vitally concerned went onto the Senate table, as compromise Senator N. R. Walker attempted tc withdraw his compulsory arbitra tion bill" s. B. 93, but ran into opposition from several sources notable from Senator o. D. Coch- ed Shop Referendum Walker stat ed he wanted to clear the way fol Rep. Steve Vukovich's bill covering only water borne transportation the most serious problem" As : quick way out, Senator E. B. Col lins, the other author of s. B. TT proposed to lay Walkers measure on the table. The motion carried l3 votes against BroWnell. Cochran and Rogge.
 The Senate today quickly voted passage of two bills carried ovel from Saturday Senate Substitut, for H. B 76 and Rep Hoopes H B. 75. One measure was killed H. B 59
 Must BilI'
 SSHB 76, would extend Unem. ployment Compensation coverag, under the Alaska Act to marine workers, in line with a recent Fed eral extension by Congress Coch- ran, Chairman of the Judiciarl i Committee which wrote the sub stitute. labelled it a must bill It is imperative" that the Legis lature pass the measure, he said in order that Alaskans employed in maritime industries can partici pate in Unemployment CompenSa tion benefits, otherwise the per cent of payrolls that employers ar, now required to contribute will gt entirely to the Federal government If the Legislature extends the coy craze, 27 percent of those contri buttons will go into the Alaska Un employment Compensation Fund, u be drawn upon for local benefits.
 Cochran estimated that ove S200,000 already has been contribut fed by Alaska employers in the fish. ing industry which has been helC aside, waiting for the Legislature to act. That amount, and muct more to follow, would go to th' Federal government if the Legis lature does not pass the bill.
 Cochran again expressed his in tense dislike of methods used b, UCC officials to get the bill passed in just the form they want Tn, only questionable feature of tn measure IS provision extendinI coverage to all maritime employee in covered industries. whereas tn Federal law now requires contribu (COHtiHued on Page Sir)