Correspondence: 1926, June 19 - 1927, Mar 5., 1926-1927

The progress of the Graham-Cummins bill was of continuing interest. Congressman Graham gave John Andrews his version of the reason why the bill never was called out of committee in the House, although it did pass the Senate. From August through December, Andrews kept up a running correspondence with Charles Verrill and Anthony Chlopek on amendments to the Graham-Cummins bill that might enable it to pass at the next session. In late November Thomas Chadbourne made an unusual pledge to the Association, promising to give $10,000 a year for the next three years if Andrews could raise $15,000. The money was intended especially to wipe the "black spots" off the compensation map. (The AALL Review periodically published a map showing workmen's compensation legislation's spread by state. Those states without any compensation law at all were shown in solid black, hence "black spots.") Andrews replied to this letter (12/2/26). Programs for 1927 included achieving workmen's compensation laws in those five states still without them, workmen's compensation for longshoremen (Graham-Cummins), and mine safety. John Andrews went frequently to Washington to organize support for the Graham-Cummins bill. The legislation was finally passed on March 4, 1927. Throughout March, letters were received regretting the effect of the American Association for Old Age Security (Epstein's new organiza-tion, AAOAS) on the American Association for Labor Legislation. Most officers of the new association were AALL members and many felt that they had been misled by Epstein in regard to John Andrews' support for the AAOAS.