Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-05-10

| dSS6luDly sCOuuuClSu DIS d
office, because of the refusal to sign
the printers eight hour scale, consid-
erably delayed the work of the assem-
bly, by imperfect work and great de-
lay in delivering the printing neces-
sary to transact the business of the
legislature. Representative Doran in
troduced joint resolution calling for
compliance with law in supplying all
journals, bills, reports, etc. needed in
the conduct of business. Because of
| factional politics, a very determined
opposition to the resolution at once be-
came apparent and after a motion to
table was defeated by vote of 38 for
| to IS against, the resolution was re-
| ferred to committee to fully investi-
gate conditions. 1t is doubtful if ever
a greater farce than this investigation
was enacted in the past history of an
Iowa legislature. 1t was simply play
| for position, squirm, Misrepresentation
moral cowardice and protection Of
friends, and when the committee re-
ported for indefinite postponement,
such report was adopted without roll
| call.
During the early days of the session
| a bill was introduced known as Sen
ate File No. 67 and on its surface pur-
ported to be measure providing
against graft. Upon investigation 1t
was found that the measure would pre-
vent organizations from paying strike
benefits during labor difficulties, as
we'll as prohibit any inducement to be
made to any strike breaker to quit his
employment or join any organization
engaged in such labor difficulty. The
bill was reported for indefinite post
ponement by the senate judiciary COM
mitee after considerable effort extend
ing over period of considerable time.
| A bill aimed directly at labor organ
izations was the one known as the
Head antipicket bill, fathered and sup
ported by the State Manufacturers
association and the several Citizens
Alliances. 1t will be remembered that
two similar measures were introduced
two years ago with the exception that
both of those measures provided not
alone against picketing, but against
boycotting as we'll In the Head bill,
known as House File No. $40, boycott
ting was eliminated supposedly be-
cause both of these organizations dur
ing the past two years have been en-
gagged in so-called boycotting to an ex-
tent never even charged against labor
organizations. Apparently having con-
fdence in their ability and having
found pleasure in their efforts, their
only desire was at this time against
the right of persuasion on the part OF
the workingman of his fellow man.
The sight of several grizZled veterans,
who faithfully served their country in
securing the freedom of the negro,
working for several weeks in the in
terest of measure to prohibit both
white and black wage earners from
the civil right of peaceful persuasion
of his fellow men on the public high
ways, was sight to occasion thought
as to whittier we are drifting. and
where will stop the alignment Of class
distinctions and class rights.
The house judiciary committee rec
commended the bill for indefinite post
ponement and such report was adopted
without roll call.
Wage Exemptions.
| After the Council Bluffs agreement
with the Iowa State Retail Grocers'
association of last May, many who had
confidnce in the integrity of the retail
grocers of the state were of the opinion
that for at least a few years no further
controversy would be necessary over
the attempt to make a special example
of the wage earners of the state so far
as exemptions were concerned. Unfor-
tunately some of the officers of this
association showed their utter disre-
gard for agreement duly entered into,
and this disregard was encouraged by
the membership of retailers associa-
tons generally. About the only ma.
terial exceptions being that of the re-
i tailers of Burlington and Clinton
whose protests against the violation OF
agreement were promptly entered. The
merchants of Muscatine at first en-
tered protest, but later again withdrew
said protest, although so far as known
to your committee they never in any
manner endorsed the bill known as
House File No. 1873, which was intro
duced by Representative Green, him
self a general organizer of the Gro
GERS association and member of the
conference committee that drafted the
,, agre~-ent. Never was perfldy more
brazeSy exploited than by him and the
secre-ary of the Retail Grocers' associ
alton. The bill was one of the mos
drastic Of the many of its kind in the
past introduced either by or at the be
hest of this organization, and that 81
failed of passage was cerainly merit
ed rebuke for tactics pursued by rep
resentatiyes of the Iowa Retail Gro
GERS association. The bill passed the
house by a vote of 81 for to 81 against
and after going to the senate was re
, ferred to the ways and means commit
tee Of that branch. After repeated
hearings, the bill in the closing days
of the session went to the sitting com
mittee where 1t ended in just ant
meritorious death. 1t will be recalled
, by many that two years ago Genera
Organizer Greene and Secretar!
Thomas of the Grocers' association, OBJ
iected to a similar measure going K
the senate judiciary committee. II
their protest they claimed that the.
: expected the bill to go to the ways ant
means committee, with which the!
!. claimed to have got in touch and hat
failed to get in touch with the judic1
. ory committed This time their pc