The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-10-20
Tacoma, Wash, Oct. ID. 1911.
To Editors of Labor Papers:

Members of organized labor in this will be interested in
learning details of the deputy labor commissioner
Mrs. Blanche Mason, October Is:
appears that for time there had been the
Hay lack of harmony Mrs Mason
chief Mr. ubbar and appears also that this lack of
harmony has been due things First the apparent inability
of Mr. Hubbard accomplish anything tangible toward enforce
of laws under his jurisdiction and second the desire of Mrs
comply enforce laws related
workers and perform her duties faithfully and fully.
report reached the undersigned by telephone late the night
President October Mrs Mason
had been notified by Commissioner Hubbard her services would be
longer required after October 1 further reason being given
deputy. AS Governor Hay in the city called
upon morning the Tacoma hotel and inquired
gardng the report. Governor Hay replied
Mrs already and has been dismissed because Of
disloyay chief found Mr. Hubbard in office and
charges made him. although he does
and employers generally and Mrs Mason has been doya to nm
Hence she removed for the good of the department.
practically choose between Mrs Mason and Mr. Hubbard
decided that Mrs Mason must be dismissed
emphasis | could command protested against the
view governor pointing that far working people
concerned they would much prefer him fire the
keep woman for the that knew Mrs Mason
trying do her full duty toward the labor laws far she could
while knew the labor commissioner to be donohng official
governor reiterated what he had said before promising to
again subject just then called the
rnor away and no further opportunity
city President Taft for Olympia
Realizing that unless protests made at it would be
object later wired to prominent officers and mem
bers of organized labor throughout the state asking them to protest
to the governor and do quick The response was instantaneous
but barren of results also wrote to Commissioner Hubbard
October H. 1911
Mr. Charles F. Hubbard Labor Commissioner, Olympia
Dear SRI have been reliably informed that you purpose
removing office October Is Mrs Blanche Mason your
deputy. 49,,
deputy labor commissioner desire to emphatcay protest
a 6s morn 5r at tb Tacoma hotel EXPRESSING myself in NO
regarding the views of organized labor in this state regarding
both Mrs yourself and upon you, for the
welfare of your office the estimation of organized labor in this
state that you do not remove your present deputy
you well know and you will but increase the unkndy feel
ing by removing Mrs Mason eS?a as your deputy
'' "cH2R A2E$S PERRY TAYLOR,
"Secretary Federation of Labor
President Charles R. Case of the Federation made the follow
ing protest to Governor nay Belngbm October H. 1911
Hon NJ E Hay, Olympia, Wash.
Dear Governor am reliably informed that Labor Commits
your sanction desire to enter protest against such
which have but slight acquaintance not because of
influence that personal protest coming from will have with
yourself the commissioner for other except
representative of the $4,000 organized and
families feel it duty them From them have
heard anything but words OF commentator Tor Mrs Mason
work in her efforts enforce and child labor legislation
Many marveed her ability succeed to the extent that
she has in enforcing regulations which meant financial loss to
greedy employers ~ no M ns5 oo ia contact with her ,
per officer and know of his utter lack of fitness for the
position which he attained through the support Of high railroad
through endorsement
interests realized that Mrs Mason while endeavorng to do
duty handicapped beyond hope of her ideas of
"You realized and admitted year how utterly
incompetent pneless the labor commissioner reports
true you sustaining him dschargng pains
taking wemeanng woman who has endeavored enforce legs
aton in behalf of defenseess and children.
thousand times better in the interests of the women
and children of the state to the real cause of the lack OF
put his stead who will interpret and
enforce labor legislation the interest of the woen rather than
that of the employers.
Respectfully yours,
FCHARLES r. CASE
On October IA following received from Commissioner
Hubbard:
"Olympa Wash, Oct. IA, 1911.
Perry Taylor Secretary Federation of Labor Tacoma
Washington
Dear SRI yours October H. wherein you
emphatic protest dismissal Mrs b. H. Mason assistant
labor commissioner.
'You the best interest of organized labor
that you make protest This where differ have every
believe that position would exercise
judgment matters pertaining to Office tins
done and what shall without doubt continue
to do | remain the head of this department
organized labor has kindly feeling for IN this