The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-07-24

preston of widespread popular discon-
tent with the present system OF exploit
alton and graft. They are not based
on an intelligent understanding of the
historical development of civilization
and of the economic and political needs
of our time. They are bound to perish
us the numerous middle class reform
movements of the past have persisted.
AS measures calculated to strengthen
the power of the working class in its
fights for the realization Of this ult-
mate aim, and to increase its power of
resistance against capitalist oppression,
we advocate and pledge ourselves and
our elected officers to the following
programs:
We demand immediate governmental relief
for unemployed workers 10y building roads and
canals. by restoration OF the forests, by reclaim
alton of arid lands and 10y extending all other
useful public works. All laborcrs on such
work shall he employed directly by the govern
mcnt under an eight-hour work day and AT the
prevailing rate of union wages. The govern.
mCnt shall also lend money to states ana
municipalities without interest for the purpose
Of carrying on work. and ii shall contribute
funds to labor organizations for the purpose OF
assisting their unemployed members, and shall
take such other measures within its power AS
will lessen the widespread misery of the work
crS caused by the misruc OF the capitalist SNS-
tenn.
We demands
l. The collective ownership OF railroads,
tcrgraph>. telephones, steamships. ana all
other means Of transportation and commuuica.
tIun. and all lands.
= The collective ownership OF all industries
which are organized on national scale and IN
which competition has virtually ceased to exist
b The extension of the public domain to III
cludc mines quarrieS. OIL wells forests and
water power.
t. The scientific rcforcstation of timber
lands and the reclamation of swamp lands, The
land ~ reclaimed shall be permanently retain
ed aS part of public domain
>. The absolute freedom of press. speech
and aSNemblage. rs guaranteed by the conSt-
tuition.
& That religion be treated as u private mat
tCr-A question OF individual conscience.
- The Improvement OF the industrial condi
tionS OF the workers;
U) Ry shortening the work day in keeping
with the increased productNcncss OF machin
cry.
jol BY securing to every worker rest peri
od OF not less than day and half in each
week.
(c) BY securing more effective inspection
Of workshops and factories.
,d by forbiddiug the employment OF chill
drcu under Is years OF age.
l0 BY forbiddins the Interstate tranSporta-
ton of the products OF child labor. OF convict
labor and of all uninspected factories.
~ BY abolishing oftcal charity and SubSti-
tuting in its place compulsory insurance
against unemployment. illness, accidents, IN
yalidi>m, old age and death.
:. The extension OF Inheritance taxes, gradu.
atcd in proportion to the amount OF the be.
quests and TO the nearneS> OF kin.
%. \ graduated income tax.
To- Unrestricted and equal suffrage for men
and women the initiative and referendum. plo.
portonal representation and the right OF r.
call.
H. The abolition OF the senate.
IL. The abolition OF the veto power by the |
president
10 That the constitution he made amcndahlc |
by majority vote.
II. Government 10y majority. In all elections :
where no candidate receives majority the re /
suit should bc determined by "a second ballot.
Is. The enactment OF further measures for I
general education and FOR the conservation OF /
health The elevation 90 the present bureau /
N education into department, and the crca
ton OF "a department Of public health.
lt The separation of the present bureau ~ !
labor from The department OF commerce and .
labor. and IL elevation TO thu rank OF depart
leut
l.. That all judges be elected By the people
Tor short terms and that the power to ISSUE in
functions should be curbed 10y immediate legis
alton.
i. The free administration OF Justice.
10 That the right OF suffrage in any state be
attended to all citizens OF legal age OF the Unit
ad states upon qualification Of a ninety days
-e>ldence in that state next preceding the day
d election. and the registration be- closed not
'aricr than five days next preceding the day OF
election.
such measures Of relief A. We may b. able to
force from capitalism are but preparation OF
he workers 10 seize the power ~ government
n order that they may thereby lay hold OF the
whole system Of industry, and thus come into
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