The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-14
No. ST..
PRESIDENT ELECTRIFIES BIG GATHERING

their part toward re-establishing the
sanctity of the court in the eyes of the
people. Instead the legislature enacted
that judges should wear robes presum-
ably with view of impressing the
people with the incorruptiblity of the
wearers, but in reality to form a cloak
under which they could continue dis
seminating judge made law in behalf of
the interests that gave them the oppor-
| tunity.
Legislation Secured.
Liability. OF first Importance In
! favorable new legislation was the grant
ing of the right to recover damages for
the death of single person to his
! father, mother, sisters or minor broth
ers dependent upon him for support.
We regretted the attachment of pro-
viso requiring residence in this country
| by the heirs but had to accept the con-
dition or lose all.
This measure alone is worth more to
the working men of our state in single
year than all that the federation has
expended on legislative work since its
organization In making it possible for
a dependent heir of single man to re-
cover damages for his death, it at the
same time removed the ban which has
been the cause of the rankest discrim-
ination against married men in any
employment that was considered hazard
ous.
Miners Eight. Hour Day.
An eight hour miners ''bank to
bank" bill was introduced by Represen-
tative Hubbell, of Kittitas county, in
the house. Upon its consideration by
the house committee on mines and min
ing we found that, despite the fact
that such a bill bore the endorsement
of the republican party platform, there
was no possibility of securing a favor
able committee report on the same
Mine owners and some non-union min
srs, whom they had paid to testify,
NNiC ipuu III biicii VI lUt
measure, but informed the committee
that they would not oppose a bill along
the lines of their existing agreement
with the United Mine Workers of
America.
At my suggestion bill was prepared
by joint committee of mine owners
and workers and agreed to by them.
When presented to me | refused to
favor its introduction because of the
v-r~vP PvIvrT vusu7v ultvrSE1I
permitted the hosting of coal and ma
terial without restriction, thus in re-
ality being an eight hour day for the
men who mined but an unlimited day
for those who handled it afterwards.
The bill was finally redrawn, leav-
ing out the ctionable exception, in
troduced and passed the house without
objections from any one. But it was
again strenuou.ly opposed before the
senate committee on mines and mining
| by several mine owners who charged us
with having violated an agreement
signed in Seattle by the joint commit
tee who had prepared the bill.
Since | had insisted on the change
party to the agreement.
Though the senate committees report
| Incorporated the Objectionable proviso
in the bill we were able, after strenu.
Gus fight, to beat the committees re-
port on the floor of the senate and pass
the bill as it came from the house.
| We were next confronted by the act
ing governor who hesitated about sign
ing an eight hour mining law, which
had passed both houses and senate with
out a dissenting vote.
A hearing was arranged and mine
owners again appeared with a delega
| tion of paid non union miners to whom
the acting governor listened long and
attentively after which your representa-
tive and Brothers ellsworth and Wal
lace, of the United Mine Workers, were
given a few moments in which to reply.
The bill was finally signed and became
a law.
Other minor measures relative TO the
use OF safety lamps, guide boards and
better enforcement of ventilation laws
were passed without material opposi
tion.
Female Deputy Labor Commissioner
A measure providing for a female
deputy labor commissioner was intro
duced by Representative Campbell, and
became a law. 1t, however, carried no
appropriation, and wa& therefore, Of
little or no consequence until Brother
Campbell surprised himself and all
friends by securing the necessary ap-
preparation on the floor of the house
when the appropriation bin was under
consideration during the closing hours.
Railroad Legislation.
The railroad organization represented
by j. A. Cato, of the R. r. Conductors;
j. A. Foster of the b. of L. E.; j. r.
, Walker of the B. of r. t. and j. II.
Gilluly of the B. F. and E., were present
throughout the entire session and Sc
cured the Standard caboose law, which
requires that all eabooses shall be al