The record-union., 1897-01-19

be the sum asked for to fill cut the
orty-eighth fiscal year. 1t was argued
that if the Assembly passed the $4,000
appropriation the Governor would,
perhaps veto it; the necessary two
thirds to pass it over the veto might
not be forthcoming, and as the State
the necessary legislative printing could
not go ON and stoppage Of business
might ensue. So the very smallest half
of the loaf was agreed upon with the
year would be taken care of in the
general appropriation at the last of the
session.
AN ASSOCIATE COMMITTEE.
The Committee on Labor and Capi-
tai held an important session last even
ing. Mr.. Malcolm's bill, No. $50, de-
finlng the duties and liabilities of en-
ployment agents, was under consldera-
ton, and as the representative of the
employment agents A. ]. MoTgenstern,
a San Francisco attorney, was to ad-
dress the committee, and as a similar
bill has been introduced in the Senate,
Chairman Dennery invited the Senate
Committee ON Labor and Capital, SEN
ator Morehouse, Chairman, to meet
preme Courtroom No. /. Besides these
gentlemen there was a large attend
ance of interested spectators, among
whom We're several ladies.
The main provisions of Mr. Malcolm
bill are that it shall be unlawful for
employment agents to receive payment
except where employment is secured
by the applicant; that the agent shall
in no case charge in excess of per
cent of the monthly wages earned by
the applicant; that every agent shall
keep in a book or set of books a record
of the number of applicants for labor,
number of those successful, amount OF
fees and commissions, and numerous
other details, of all of which he shall
furnish to the Labor Commissioner at
the first of each month a. written state
ment; and also that the Labor Com
missioner shall during business hours
have free access to all offices of agents.
There are several minor provisions in
the bill, besides a form of receipt to be
used by all agents which is exceedingly
binding and provides for a forfeit i'll
case of failure to comply with condi-
tons.
Mr.. Morgenstern discussed the bill
seriatim, making some strong points
against each of the sections, and, in MS
| argument against the bill as a whole,
declaring II unconstitutional and so
sweeping in its provision that 1t would
simply enact the business of employ
ment agencies out of existence. He as
serted that it would result in the build
ing up of the State supported bureau
for which a bill had been introduced.
Mr.. Morgenstern also claimed to see
behind the bill, although he believed
the author of the measure not response
bic for it, a deep political scheme to
erect a throne on the Capitol grounds
and to seat on that throne a king"
who should be the Labor Commission
er.
Numerous questions were asked of
Mr. Morgenstern by Senator Morehouse
and others, during his argument and
| the address consumed so much of the
evening that no final conclusion con-
cerning the bill was arrived at by the
committee.
FOR WORKINGMEN.
One of the earliest bills to be passed
this session went through yesterday
quite triumphantly, the vote showing
that the three sections of the House
| were all pretty strongly in sympathy
| with Mr.. Treacy's measure providing
| that the minimum wages of laborers on
public works should be 50 per day. The
representatives from irrigation districts
| opposed it, principally on technical
grounds and an amendment was offer
ed but Treacys fiery earnestness and
| the simple eloquence of his plain words
swept all obstructions aside and, amid
hearty applause, he sat down with his
| cause well won.
A WORKING DELEGATION.
The San Francisco delegation held a
| meeting yesterday afternoon and to-
! day, through it's Chairman, Mr.. Mui-
crevy, will report favorably upon Dib-
ble's bill No. 26S, raising the salaries
OF the Judges of the Superior Court of
San Francisco to $4,000 per annum:
also upon Dennery's bill No. 139 fixing
the salary of the Chief Engineer of the
San Francisco Fire Department at So
600; Assistant Engineer, $1,000; Secre-
tary, $1,000; Veterinary Surgeon. ST.
Soo; also Dibble's bill providing for a
japanese interpreter for San Francis
co courts at a salary of S10O per
month Tomorrow evening the dele
cation. will consider Dibble's bill to close
all cemeteries within corporate limits
of large cities after January |, 1900
SENATE AT WORK.
Inc Business Transacted in the Upper
House Yesterday.
1t was 1910 o'clock yesterday morn
| ing when Lieutenant Governor Jete,.
| CdIl6u the Senate to order A ma ioritv