The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-11-24
Unions SHOWING MUCH
ACTIVITY ON PACIFIC
Washington State Federation OF
Labor to Adopt Referendum
Principle.
Spokane Central Labor Union to
Hold Open Meetings Once
Each Month.

Spokane, Wash, Nov. 22.-The WASH
ington State Federation of Labor,
which is to meet at Bellingham, west
of Spokane, next January, will be ask
ed to adopt a referendum for the adop-
tion of the direct primary, thus doing
away with conventions and ellmlnat-
ing the opportunities for intrigue by
cliques under the system OF nominal
ing candidates by the vote or DELE
gates in conventions. The committee
having charge of the referendum IS
composed of George Humphrey, W..
A. Rowe, H. r. Rogers and H. 0. Camp
bell The purpose is to afford Wider
geographical and trades representa-
ton in federation offices, then nomln-
ations and elections, one OF the con-
ditions being that the president, Sec
retary-treasurer and vice president
shall not be chosen from the same
city or trade until three successors
from other cities and trade shall have
been elected and qualified. The presl-
dent and secretary treasurer may De
reelected in recognition OF srv1cs.
James F. Fordham. agent of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul road,
is in Spokane and opened an office
with a view to securing the services
of 1000 laborers to go to work on MS
road so that the work OF extending to
the coast may go rapidly forward. Mr..
FOrdham said:
'This scarcity OF labor is hampering
railroads all through the west in car
rying out their contemplated move
ments. At least $4,000 men are want.
ed. But there are practically none on
the market to supply this demand.
THE roads are willing to pay as
high as $3.50 a day for labor. The
Western Pacific needs 5000 men. Our
road needs from 5000 to 1000, but l
shall consider myself lucky if l can
raise that number of men in the
northwest. The Southern Pacific needs
through California to Portland. The
Chicago & Northwestern line wants a
force of men for it's road in Washing
ton"
The Spokane Central Labor union
will hereafter hold open meetings the
first Monday of each month, when
educators, pastors and public men will
be invited to express their views on
organized labor, whether they be fav-
~orable or unfavefable,~ and. speakers
will also be present to tell of the bene-
fits of organization. In addition to
the regular transaction of business the
speakers may make addresses on live
labor topics and it is believed that in
this way greater interest in the labor
movement will be awakened and at
the same time erroneous ideas of the
purposes of labor bodies may be Grad
icated.
Charges against Ethan Allen, Jr
city plumbing inspector, alleging neg
Hgence, incompetency and misconduct
in office have been preferred by Will
liam Simons, member of the plumb
ers' union of Spokane Mr. Simons
asks the city officials to fix time and
place for a hearing upon his petition
and demands that after he makes
proof of the matter set forth in his
verified petition, Mr.. Allen be removed
from office. The petitioner specifies
10 buildings in the city in which he
claims plumbing has been installed il
manner contrary to the city ordi
nances.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, has
written letter stating that, owing tt
the information furnished by
tral body, no action would be taken il
regard to the charges filed by the
board of business agents of this city
The charges referred to in the com
munication were preferred against thu
business agent of teamsters' union
No. 202, who is alleged to have had =;
house built by non-union workmen
Inasmuch as no labor union affiliated
with the central body was back Of tn,
charges, no action was taken.
The Womens Label league of Spo
kane, has hit upon a new policy TO-
increasing the membership of that or
ganization and the new plan is ex
pected to be great success.
Heretofore it has been the custom
of the league to hold social meetin,
on the last Saturday of every month
all members of organized labor bein.
invited to attend. At the last meetin!
it was decided that hereafter the mem
bers OF only two unions, selected
rotation by alphabetical order, shou1
be invited to attend. Delegates of tn
league will attend the meetings of tn
unions to proffer the invitation an,
to urge that all members bring thei
wives to the social meetinr1
Prof. Leo Walton, prominent &C
ciologist and educator, has begun tn
organization of movement in Sno
kane for the reduction of street ca
fares to three cents. He said regard
ing his plan:
Every voter who can obtain tw,
other qualified electors to stand will
him for the support of this movemen
shall be listed on the roll of the mar
as a captain of three Every cantai,
of three who has sufficient interest !,
the movement and who shall enlis
the assistance Of two other captain
for additional work OF organization
shall be recorded as a colonel q
three The colonel who is willing +
make still further contribution of hi
energy and shall obtain the active cf
operation of two other colonels sha,
be entitled to the ranke of a comma1