The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1907-10-16
LABOR COMMISSIONER SHOULD LEAD

No matter what excuse Labor Commissioner Hubbard adj
for being present conduet the fender investigation
SET yesterday his absence has served to bring issue
the question OF whose duty it to the responsibility
and conduct the investigation,
The board Of public works draws It's powers from the city
charter aud ordinances and its powers consequently n-
tied II has no nqusoria powers such compelling the at
tendance aud forcing them 20 testify IL has power
10 force the Seattle Electric Company TO equip with any
specified fender tenders If investigation dscoses that
there are better Tenders obtanahe than those here
On the hand the labor commissioner draws his power
the constitution and laws which empower him spe
officially conduct searching Investigation he desires
into the fender question and other questions affecting public
safety lie call all the machinery Of the state 60 bear in
making such investigation effective and occupies in
ncy stronger position from which conduct such inquiry
than does the board OF public works
These facts known the labor commissioner They
brought the attention of the board Of public works by
the labor commissioner himself when he asked be included in
such an Investigation If ono were held
With such power his command it is hard 20 understand
why labor commissioner does wish be the responsible
head and the moving spirit the investigation II it
which affected Seattle alone his hesaney Of
fetal take the leading part might be understood but
local question II affects every city IN the where street
cars operated.
The that the Tenders in BY the Seattle Electric
company good any in in the simply
dennis all the Tenders in the state. and makes it obligatory
duty for the labor commissioner head the for
better fender only in Seattle but in Tacoma Spokane and
the other cities Of the The labor laws specifically
forth that his duty tina, the provided with CT
iecve tenders and he discharge the duties Of his office
fully without doing
Mr. Hubbard 10th involve the in the expense
Of real fender investigation. but is the part Of good
public official hold back the Of expense
in which public safety involved The lives OF citizens which
would be saved by effective tenders worth infinitely
the state than the small expense involved fender nvesga
ton which would provide effective fender.
An examination OF the law the subec, coueu-
other than that it the duty OF the labor commissioner
take up this subject with energy and intelligence and follow
20 aesHeessni Sqlsn. expense the
Thar Ne has not contemplated doing MP this time is
shown By his failure topse his power in subpocuane the
ner and ohers appear before the hearing yesterday and
falling to attend himself
The fender investigation has political bearing Tar the
people concerned and there for The labor
missioner sdcstep that lie given the OPP
portunity do the public OF the valuable service which
in itself would justify the office commissioner which
otherwise has not been heard from any great n the
labor commissioner fails rise this opportunity respon-
sbity it will be up him the question which viii
at rise in the mind Of the public:
Why?