The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-21
STATE LABOR FEDERATION ON THE GAPRESDENT ET BIG GATHERING

would almost without exception sustain
us in our demands for an eight hour
day for women and for liability legisla-
tion.
Alien Labor on Public Work.
a measure prohibiting the employ
ment of alien labor on public work met
with determined opposition. 1t was re-
peatedly asserted that this measure was
aimed directly at Asiatics when in re-
ality we have never had to contend with
this class of labor on public work. At
a later date the City of Spokane, from
whence the demand came for the meas
ure, made it an issue in its city cam
paign with the result that such an ordi-
nance was passed.
Amendment to Factory Inspection Act.
Senate Bill No. III, which was intro
duced at the request of Labor Commls-
sioner Hubbard, read as follows: "Any
employee operating machinery, or any
part thereof, without safeguards. where
same have been provided under the pro
visions of this act, or any person or
employe removing or causing to be re-
moved, any such safety appliances shall
ba deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and
on conviction thereof shall be fined any
sum not to exceed $25 or by imprison-
ment in the county jail not to exceed
fifteen days, or both such fine and i'm
prisonment."
1t passed the senate although bitterly
denounced by Senator Cotterill as insti-
gated by the employers for the sole pur-
pose of placing the blame for all un-
guarded machinery upon the employe.
In the house we succeeded in having
! it referred to the labor committee and
our seventh vice president may be able
to further enlighten you as to what hap
pened to it, Needless to say it did not
become a law.
In concluding this legislative report
let us review for a moment the position
attained by the federation in legislative
matters
In 1908, we, as an organization, first
interested ourselves in legislation in
behalf of the people. At that session
we were fortunate in securing several
measures of interest largely because
there was no organized opposition. Later
sessions found the employing interests
better organized than we were, yet we
have. little by little, gained many of
the measures we have contended for
through our continued advocacy of the
same and our publicity campaign in be-
half of them and against those who had
opposed them Our lgreatkst victory
during all this time is our direct pri-
mary law under which it is possible for
us to participate directly in nomina-
tions. As the result of one election of
our state senate under the direct pri-
mary, many of the seats of our old
opponents were occupied by new faces
This was particularly noticeable when
the women's eight hour bill was under
consideration. At the previous sessions
we could not find seven senators who
were favorable to the measure and this
time we secured nineteen votes out OF
necessary twenty-five. Bear in mind
that but one-half of the members OF
the senate are elected for each session
and that when the people have had a
chance at the old hold lovers as they will
in 1910, there will be more new faces
replacing those who have opposed the
peoples interests.
Let us then be more active in the
campaign than heretofore, assailing ev-
cry known enemy and carefully scruti-
nizing the past personal records of those
who claim to be our friends. Our ut
most efforts should be put forth tc
induce members of our own organiza-
tions to become candidates ana as such
they should receive the heartiest sup
port we are capable of giving. BY these
methods and by greater publicity of the
necessity for the measures we advocate
we should be successful.
Following closely upon the adjourn
ment of the legislature came the new;
of the death of our governor. Although
the people had realized the critical CON
dition and the almost impossibility OF
cure, they had fortified themselves, be
lieving that one who had fought the In
evitable with such marvellous determi
ration would win the battle for hcaltl
and return to take up the tasks whicl
they had so overwhelmingly signifieC
they were willing to trust to him. Gov
ernor Cosgrove, our first executive
chosen by the people, was loved anC
honored by all. In him they had rec
ognized a broad gauge, able, conscien
tious citizen worthy in every way o
the high place to which they had called
him. The entire state mourned for hin
whom they trusted with the welfar
of the State OF Washington.
His demise placed the responsibilities
of governor upon Lieutenant -Governo
Hay, Governor Hay has expressed him
self unfavorably to labor representative
on direct legislation, a shorter working
day for women, and by. his act in sign
ing the amended primary bill has show
his approval of an act which deprive,