The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-21

ELECTRIFIES
GATHERING
Continued from page one.)


two supreme court judges, showed con-
clusively that the will of the people was
of secondary Importance compared with
the interests of the few Mr.. Humph-
ries, in the opinion of many, was elected
to the supreme court, but admitting
that he lacked few votes it was but
natural to expect his selection to fill
one of the created positions when the
people had expressed so strongly their
approval of his candidacy.
Again he showed plainly his attitude
toward labor's cause when he reappoint-
ed Labor Commissioner Hubbard whose
chief qualification for the position was
his endorsement by the manufacturing
interests he had so faithfully served.
Extraordinary Session.
On June 20 the legislature was called
together in extraordinary session by
Governor Hay. The supposed purpose
of the call was to consider the findings
of legislative investigating committee
created by the regular session for the
purpose of examining into the conduct
of state offices. The call, however,
included the taking up such other mat
ter as was deemed advisable.
This left the doors wide open for the
introduction of new matter and there
was a strong possibility of legislation
antagonistic to our interests being pro-
posed. After consulting with a number
of leaders in both house and senate,
and having their assurance that moth
ing of the kind would be considered, l
took the matter up with the executive
board by letter and found q division
of sentiment prevailing as TO whether
we should maintain a representative at
Olympia during the extra session. AS
majority of the board agreed with me
that it would be inadvisable unless
forced to do so in defence Of existing
legislation, we were not represented ex-
cept through Representative Campbell,
who was, as usual, alert in our interests.
Later I was called upon by Christie
pher Horn, of the State Direct Primary
league, and Master Kegley, of the State
Grange, to assist in an endeavor to re-
peal the amended primary law, whereby
the nomination of supreme court judges
was taken from the people and placed
IN, ha nd Of
did not go to Olympia, however, be-
lieving that it would be a needless
lieve that the powers that secured the
change would submit to a repeal. Such
proved to be the case when the senate
refused to consider the repeating meas
ure even though the same had been
passed by the house.
The extraordinary session failed to
impeach State Insurance Commissioner
Schively, failed to let its house investi-
eating committee report what they had
learned of corruption in our state su-
preme court, but appropriated $250,00O
of the states money after the regular
session had been the most extravagant
in the history of the state
During the month of May when the
tariff discussion was at its height, |
was importuned from several sources to
go to British Columbia to Investigate
the manner of living, the number EN-
ployed, etc, of the Orientals participat-
ing in the sawmill industry.
A week spent in Vancouver, New
| Westminster, Victoria and vicinity re-
vealed a condition surprising to me. Mill
after mill was visited in which few
white men directed the work of horde
of Japs, Chinks and Hindoos, who were
receiving from soc to $l.25 per day. 9th
err mills We're visited where no white
men were to be found at all. Chinks
predominated in single mills but in the
lumber mills there was mixture ire
spective of nationality.
After careful investigation l wired
Senator Piles that fully 90 per cent of
employees of lumber and shingle mills in
British Columbia were Orientals with
whom no self-respecting white man
could live or work in open competition.
Organization and Affiliation Work.
Following the adjournment of the ex-
traordinary session of the legislature
the question of further organization
and affiliation of our movement was
taken up by correspondence with our
executive board. 1t resulted in unitv
of action IN the part of all members
in an enieavor to build up the move
mcnt in their respective localities, fol-
lowed ty such assistance as was deemed
advantageous and within our means ny
the president and secretary treasurer in
visiting localities where successful work
could, in their estimation, be accom-
plished.
In Seattle visited as many unaffili-
ated locals as responded to letter sent
them requesting date for discussion
of utilization the same being done even
ings and without expense to the fed
Grafton.
October IA l visited Bellingham at the
request of Vice President Hudson, re-
naming till the 18th, during which
time four previously arranged meetings
I 4. Il -