The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-04-05

that would at once beset our industri-
al welfare if the brown toilers of the
mikados realm were permitted to
swarm through our gates unhindered.
San Francisco's labor mayor, the
Hon. Eugene f. Schmitz. thus prompt
ly stated his view upon one of the
nations vital problems, at the OPEN
ing of an interview in his Office at
the city hall.
'"The Japanese are far more dan
gerous to us than the Chinese he
continued, as he settled his ample
shoulders back in his chair. 1T Is
my firm belief that an exclusion act.
even more stringent than the pres
ent one, should be passed in the
matter of the Japanese immigrants.
To one who has given the matter
constant and careful attention. 1t is
at once apparent that the. Japs are
to be feared more than the Chinese,
primarily because of the cheapness
of their labor. We may say that the
Japanese is enlightened. and. this
being true, his education prompts
him to adopt American ways, and
thus, with his cheap labor, dig at
the foundation upon which rests the
welfare of our people. Where chi
nese will work upon farm at star
walton wages, a Japanese has the
ability to acquire the property itself.
The Chinese are dangerous enough.
but the Japanese would drive all
competition out of business. 1t is
the stern duty of the American citi-
zen, and particularly of those of us
upon this western coast, to scrutin-
ize this evil and then suppress 1T
with appropriate legislation"
what are your views. Mayor. up
on the question of public owner
ship" was asked.
II believe the people should own
and control those things which are
necessary to life," he replied with
great earnestness, but I do not be-
lieve that property should be con-
fscated or injustice committed. In
the further idead that things which
| may be termed Injuries should also
revert to public ownership.
1T Is a mooted question and one
where the dividing line must be
distinctly drawn. Understand me.
believe that such utilities as water
ana light, essential as they are to
human existence, should not be In
the hands of corporations, to be
handled for personal gain These
| things are unquestionably the inner
ent property of the people. But
| when we come to consider other
subjects, such as transportation, an
other phase is given the matter
Here we have what may be termed
luxury. i could never be in sym
| pathy with a movement that had for
| its aim the confiscation of properties
belonging to transportation compan'
| les for purpose of public ownership
Any we'll regulated municipality car
regulate such matters and prevent q
| transportation company from in
fringing on the rights OF the peo-
pie. OF course, the entire matter
depends upon the means taken &c
| acquire such public utilities. You
have m idea In a nutshell. when
YOU understand that / believe the
people should control only those
utilities that are necessary to their
state of being"
Since we have touched the ques'
ton of transportation" remarked
| the interviewer, 'let me ask youi
opinion of the street railway prob
lem-do you favor reduced fares
say a Scent farce"
mo, sir l see no reason for such
n sweeping innovation. l view the
matter from both sides. In Sar
Francisco we now enjoy halffare
rate for school children during school
hours, and we hope to get similar
| concession for the workingman. but
| / do not see why any railroad com
pany, making but fair profit on Its
| investment should be asked TO reduce
| tho scent rate and establish another
rate. believe 5 cents, under ordin-
airy circumstances. is reasonable
and righteous toll for street railway
transportation, and l do not imagine