The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-07-22
FEDERATION
PROSPEROUS
The Tide Setting In To-
ward a More Compact
Organization
TO ALL AFFILIATED UNIONS
GREETING.

the Legislature convened in special ses
sion for the express purpose of cleansing
some of the dirty linen of the republican
party. There was considerable appre-
hension and uneasiness on our part as
to whether the doors of the Lcgsa-
tive Halls would be opened wide or
whether the extra session would confine
| tits work to that outlined by its inycs-
tigating committee and the Governor
a careful canvass of the situation led
us to believe that some of the appro-
priations of the previous session would
suffer if the gates We're opened wide,
and as the law of preservation is in
many instances the controlling influ-
ence with Legislators, it would be sui
eide on their part to permit review of
the last sessions work II they re-
fused to consider the repeating of some
| of their handiwork of few months pre-
vious they mnst likewise refuse all new
legislation other than that relating to
the investigating committees report
After arriving at these conclusions we
advised our friends in the Legislature
that we were only asking of the spec
ial session that we be let alone and that
so long as nothing antagonietic TO our
interests was taken up for consderat ion
we would not presss anything of inter
est to labor. Thus far this course has
prevailed and we feel sure it will be SO
to the end. Labor has nothing to gain
by a reopening OF the questions of in
terest to it by the present Legislators of
our state.
The Unions of the state are growing
steadily, as shown by reports received
by the Federation. As compared with
the first quarter reports for second
quarter SHOW substantial gains in mem
bership by the following unions:
Aberdeen-Cigar Makers. Steam En-
gineers. Blacl, Diamond Work
ers Bellingham - BARRIERS. Electrical
Burnett Mine Workers Edmonds
BARRIERS, Electrical Workers, Steam
Engineers. GeorgetoWn-Building La
borers, Hoquiam Bartenders, Painters,
Shingle Weavers. ONmpia
Pasco- Carpenters. Seattle Brewery
Engineers, Carpenters. Electrical Work
ers No. H. Plumbers, Typographical,
Electrical Assistants, Horseshoers. Spo-
kane Brewery Workers, Cooks and
Kitchen Helpers, Carpenters, Typograph-
zeal Tacoma-Carpenters, Musicians.
Walla Walla- -Bartenders. Other al
filiated unions are holding their own in
membership.
On May 20, in response to protests
from a hundred affiliated unions aga
inst the candidacy for state librarian
of Clinton \. Snowden of Tacoma. who
managed the Tacoma Ledger when it
was operated by rat" printers. the Sec
retary of the Federation, with the ap-
proval of the President, laid before Gov
enor Hay a vigorous protest in the name
of organized labor against the candidacy
of Mr.. Snowden and was assured by
the Governor no change in the office of
the state librarian was contemplated,
and. should one be considered, the pro
test of the Federation would be consid-
cred in making an appointment.
Since last report the strike of the
workmen in the Grays Harbor lumber
industry has occurred and workmcn in
other sections should remain away from
the Southwest.
Recent court decisions in labor cases
throughout the country show "A nearer
approach to fairness toward labor I'M
ions than those of 1908. The tide has
apparently turned and, with Van Cleve
and his elements discredited, the future
of the labor movement appears more en-
couraging than for the past few years.
All that is now needed is a determined,
enthusiastic campaign of organization,
education and extention of our affilia-
tions. In this work let every union
add its help.
The Tacoma Labor Advocate has been
added to the roll of labor papers of the
state and is proving a militant cham
pion of the cause of the organized work
ingmen
New affiliations since last quarterly
report as follows: Quarry Workers
No. l34, Sucia Island; Tailors No. 800,
Hoqmam; Mine Workers No. PSI,
Jonesville; Mine Workers No. 1850
Taylor Reaffiliation: Plasterers
Seattle.
Womans Label Leagues are reminded
that August Is win mark the close OF
the contest for membership to secure
the prize of S27.OO to be awarded by the
Federation to the League securing the
greatest increase since February Is, as
outlined in circular of February 10
1t is hoped the Leagues will make
prompt report to the Federation Secre-
/ tary, under SEAL on August 10, show
/ ing the gain made in membership, tn,
report to be signed by both president
and secretary of the League. 1t should
be remembered THAT Leagues mus