The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-12
STRAINED OFFICIAL EULrxG.

A short time ego the following advertise
ment appeared ia . Canadian paper:
Five hundred carpenters wants1: good. COM
pefenf men vii &c s1vea steady work af from
20 cents 70 20 cents pa hour. Apply * Buisdsrs'
Exchange. Chicago
The attention al Secretary Window hav-
ing been called 70 this matter, he has in
sfructed the federal inspector Of fmmigra-
ton ut Chicago that Canadians answering
this advertisement would be guilty of vio-
iasion Of the contract labor Law. This rul-
ing Of the secretary has been attached in
several xelLinformed quarters. and with
much apparent force. IT IL certainly in
confit with the decision in the litigated
Jeanette Slass-blowers' case. There being
scarcity Of blowers in this country, and
the works At Jeanette being consequently
unable 10 obtain hands except from abroad.
notice was given to the international feder-
alton Of glass-blowe-s. an advertisement
similar 70 the above Was published in Eng
iish papers. 70 which hands from abroad
responded. On the trial it was decided that
this did not constitute q contract.
Beyond a doubt IL is an essential element
OF contract that II may be enforced. II is
Gear that Canadians coming to Chicago in
answer to the siose advertisement, and
failing to obtain employment. could
not plead an enforceable contract Their
coming would be subject to the risk that
five hundred other carpenters had pre-
coded them and filed the places, and SUBJ
ject to the further risk. common to all
such advertisements. that although they
might be- carpenters. they were not snch as
were wanted. person advertising for,
ay. tweaty hands for any named employ
ment. Is not held TO be bound to employ
the frss twenty hands that offer, nor does
the advertisement in any manner or de-
gree limit his right OF choice and selection
among applicants.
The case under consideration differs in no
essential particular from one in which q
number OF foreign papers should happen 20
re-publish an article published in these col
unins yesterday. noting the great demand
for more buildings throughout this state,
which should induce carpenters. brick
layers. plastcrers and others 10 come here
from abroad. in the hope of obtaining en-
ployment Or II Is Is though like result
should follow . news dispatch announcing
extraordinary activity in building at Sc
attic. and great scarcity Of skilled or I'M
skilled laborers.
The secretary's ruling would seem TO
imply that the contract labor Law had for
its object the exclusion from this country
OF all foreign mechanics. artisans and la
borers who may BE- induced to come by
printed. written or verbal reports that they
can obtain employment at renumerative
wages. which is by no means the case, and
II Is safe to say that bill aiming at such
results could not command the support of
dozen congressman. even in these days
OF ulira-cranky propositions. II is well
known that the sole aim OF the contract la
Dor act was to stop the practice OF making
specific contracts abroad with cheap la
borers. destitute Of the means 10 reach this
country. to whom advances were made and
whose passage was paid by the contracting
employers.
The intelligent public sentiment of this
country Is no more disposed to shut the
door against intelligent and capable me-
chanics and la5orers than to pursue the
same course in respect to capitalists and
their capital. or to shut out professional
and literary men. syndicates and the like.
IL is incredible that on mature deliberation
the Secretary will adhere to his ruling IN
the Chicago case.