Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-07-22
The Anti-Jap Meeting-So.Called.

OF WEST VIRGINIA.
The Anti-Jap NJ eeting-So.C Called.
The long-delayed and much dis
cussed mass meeting to consider the
matter OF employment OF japanese
labor in tue MUMMY shinglc mill-as il
became, under the process OF evolu-
ton, although the call announced in
general terms that it was simply a pro-
test against Mongel invasion of labor
drew an audience of about $50 people
in Columbia hall, Monday night,
which was notable from the absence OF
many who had signed the call as well
as the presence of many who had not
signed it.
At the appointed hour, T. P. Hol.
craft. President Of the Olympia Trades
Council, assumed the chair, without
the formality OF vote, and read the
call of the business men and citizens.
He then called upon President Case,
OF the local Single Weavers' Union,
to further state the object of the meet.
ing, but he was absent, and Labor Or.
ganizer Brown, of Hoquiam, was in
vlted to address the audience. His
speech was mainly a criticism of Mr..
Richardson's method of conductin
his single mill, whose offense consists
in employment OF a non.union crew,
rather than discussion of the object
OF the call, consideration of the en-
ployment of Japs in Mr.. Mumby's
mill. But then the chair allowed q
wide latitude, doubtless for the purpose
OF presenting the subject of labor dis.
affection in all its amplitude. Mr..
Brown was vigorously applauded by
those he represented in the audience.
The speaker was followed by Mr..
Clock. of Everett, Secretary of the In.
ternatioual Single Weavels' Union,
who read an essay on the benefits of
cooperation which he claims results
from organization of labor unions, and
supplemented it with a statement OF
w"ge.rates in the mills of other places
on the Sound, designed to show that
the local rate was reasonable. While
the technicalities of the trade.scale
made them about as ineligible to the
average citizen as the hierglyphics on
the Egyptian monuments, there was q
well'grounded disposition to accept
the statement as proven long before
the speaker reached the end OF his
long array OF classified labor and wage.
figures. 1t will be observed that here.
again, the object of the meeting, to
protest against Japanese labor, was
subordinated 10 discuss a matter of
wage.rates. There is no doubt but
that this would have been eminently
proper, up to the time of introduction
of Jap labor in the MUMMY mill. but
after that, it seems in all reason as if
the American idea should be to bring
about some amicable plan for elimi.
mating the Objectionable race without
keeping up the wage contention which
diverts public attention and popular
sympathy immeasurably from the
main object. When the wage.rate is
discussed, a groundwork is prepared
for two opinions, and the ordinary cit.
izen very naturally finds himself halt.
ing between two opinions and reluc.
tant to take side with either. That is
probably the reason why quite q mum.
Der of our business men stayed away
from the meeting, and positively de.
cline to be made parties to the con.
troversy. Still they all heartily de.
plore existing conditions and are
strenuously opposed to the degrading
influences of Mongol lahor. Had
they been invited to sign a protes,
against patronage of heather races in
any and all forms of employment, we
believe it would have met with q very
general response, and in the end have
resulted in just what is demanded by
the labor unions. the full reinstate.
ment white labor. 1t is q mistake
made in methods, and possibly man
ner of approaching those who hold
the purse strings and are responsible
for amount and quality of the outpu,
placed upon the market. All men are
human, and have their foibles and
idiosyncracies. Most men are subject
to gentle influences. and very lew may
be driven. 1t may that the trade
unions are bit too exacting in max
ing their rules and too rigid in en-.
forcing them. 1t has passed into prov
erb that "The world is governed toe
much" and it has been noted tina,
the best management of public affairs
is that which relies upon the influence
of moral obligation rather than law,
providing foi coercive restraint.
If there 10 to be any hope left for 6
peaceful solution of present difficulties
there must be a check placed upon
those impulsive hot-heads Who, becom
ing excited themselves, are ready tc
fan the flames OF discord whenever
the public mind appears inflamed.
young shingle-weaver by the name o.
Charles Brown began this unwise plan
for relief. He alluded to the driving
out OF the Chinese from Tacoma, Q
quarter OF century ago, as the proper
method for dealing with the Japs now
and his suggestion met with applause