The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-14
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 a view of impressing the
people with the incorruptiblity of the
wearers, but, in reality to form cloak
undsr 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 a pro-
viso requiring residence in this country
by the heirs but had to accept the con
dtion 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-
nation against married men in any
employment that was considered hazard
Gus.
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 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
ers, whom they had paid to testify,
were loud in their denunciation of the
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 l refused to
favor its introduction because of the
fact that an exception clause therein
permitted the hosting OF coal and ma
terial without restriction, thus in re-
atty being an eighthour day for the
men who mined but an unlimited dav
for those who handled it afterwards.
The bill was finally redrawn, lesv-
ing out the Objectionable exception, in.
PRODUCED and passed the house without
objections from any one. But it was
again strenuously 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
Since l had insisted on the change
the blame was mine but / had not been
a party to the agreement
Though the senate committees report
incorporated the Objectionable proviso
in the bill we were able, after a 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-
ton 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
law.
Other minor measures relative to the
use of safety lamps, guide boards and
better enforcement of ventilation laws
were passed without material opposi-
ton
Female Deputy Labor Commissioner.
a measure providing for a female
deputy labor commissioner was intro
duced by Representative Campbell, and
became law. 1t, however carried no
appropriation, and wac therefore, of
little or no consequence until Brother
Campbell surprised himself and all
friends by securing the necessary APP
preparation on the floor of the house
when the appropriation bill 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 X. T. and J. H.
Gilluly of the B. F. and f., were present
throughout the entire session and &c
cured the Standard caboose law, which
requires that all eabooses shall be at