The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-25

II vii be useless for the Western Cen
.sr,, Labor Union TO attempt at present to
@.yyv ia fight for the e.ght-hour labor
A.. into the Federal work now being pros
.ru.sa IN this state. United States At
,sruxy General John W. Griggs has tele-
r,.nhed 70 District Attorney Gay APPROX
- the stand taken by Mr.. Gay IN holding
shaf the present time, In view Of the war
r,th Spain, is one of extraordinary emer-
rvncy and therefor the operation of tbs
rsderss statute forbiddlng the working Of
s.sorers on government work longer than
,lght hours per day Is suspended.
ne substance of the controversy be-
,xsen q special committee OF the union
az Ns. Gay was published IN the Post
lsteiigencer Of last Sunday. Mr. Gays
satsior was fully set forth. He had de-
esned to issue warrant for the arrest
Il Contractor J. g. AntoneIie on the
sasrgs OF permitting his men employed at
IL army post site TO work songer than
tie number OF hours specified In the
statute. The committee from the Western
Central Labor Union threatened to appeal
frem the ruling to the attorney general,
bot had not gone TO that extreme.
Following - the text of the correspond
shs attorney general. This Is the letter
written by Mr.. Gay explaining his posi-
tan ard asking his superior for a ruling
as to rs soandness:
4 call your attention to the act of
coasIess Of August |. 1892. chapter 352 l27
sa,, page 34e). commonly known as the
tsshs-hour law. There Is now on Puget
sound being constructed fertilization works
Of different points. particularly at this
city and Port Townsend.
This part OF the Pacific ocean Is en-
TREY nnfozfIfled. and the officers of the
army who have this work in charge have
received Instructions from the war de-
psrIment 20 press tbs work with all v.gor.
In order 10 fulfill these instructions IL
has been found necessary fer contractors
% work 'heiT men more than eight hours
TIE army officers and contractors have
defined thai IT is a case of extraordinary
Emergency.
There are In this city, as In most other
ssRsa,lyes Of these organizations have been
aFssging me 70 Institute criminal pro-
eseaiass against the contractors and Of
neess for permitting iaborers 10 work more
than slgh; hours
might say that the laborers In each
rs~ pave either made YerJai or written
'ssaest to work longer than eight hours
al have been pad by ;he hour.
have decided under the present con-
etaons. this country being at war with a
fafslgn nation. and ,ih.s coast being un-
rsateeted, THAI 1t Is a case OF extraordn-
sy emergency. and have refused 10 en-
sFrtain any complaints for criminal prose-
eu.iens
There VIII be a grand jury in this city
On the 1th of June next. and IL is threat
sned by those making complaints that
they witt go before the grand jury and
SEX Indictments.
Il am DESTROYS. OF course. OF enforcing
al laws upon the statute books. bat feel
n this case like advising the grand Jurors
ard ali other officers whon l am in law
authorized 10 advice. agains; any such
ftoceedngs.
Il would be glad TO have an immediate
s6dicaaon from your office respecting the
correctness or the position which / have
taken In the premises
IN reply 20 The letter. General Grigga
seai the to..owlng telegram which was re-
esved by Nj Gay yesterday:
Washington. II. e. May q, 1898.
Wilson II. Gay. L. s. Attorney.
Seattle. Wash.
Your views * stated in wear letter OF
TIE 18Th sass. with reference to the eight
hour Law age approved. There IS no doubt
'ast an extraordinary emergency exists
asa yoa Will be justified in officially main
taih,ng thar position.
JOHN w. GRiGGS. Atty. Gcn'l.