The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-03-17

III JneSe amendments, DelleNiHS tndI
they were but slightly, if at all, detri-
mental to the successful workings of the
initiative and referendum.
The Recall bill as passed exempts
judges of courts of record but applies to
all other elective officials. The percen-
tages are as follows: State officers,
members of the legislature, county off
GERS of counties of the first, second and
third class, 25 per cent. All other po-
litical subdivisions, cities, towns, town
ships, precincts and school districts, 35
per cent. The foregoing classification
AMI percentages may not be absolutely
correct as my record of same has been
misaid
The Initiative, Referendum and Re-
call are constitutional amendments and
must be ratified by the people at the
next general election before becoming
operative.
Workmen's Compensation.
This measure as finally enacted is the
State COMMISSIONS bill with the first
aid features stricken and such other
as the friends of the bill
agreed upon. Compensation is payable
from the date of injury and the schei-
ules therefor remain unchanged. From
every standpoint this is undoubtedly
the most advanced piece of legislation
ever enacted in our country. Rates of
are higher than in other
states having similar legislation and the
principle of mutual insurance conducted
by the state is feature never before
attempted by any state in the union.
This means the absolute elimination of
that parasite, the casualty company,
from this line of business and insures
to both employer and employe, fair, just
and prompt adjudication of all awards
for injuries by men not directly inter
ested from any other standpoint, other
than the humanitarian one of equal jus.
tice to ALL
Eight Hours for Women
The enactment of this measure was
secured only after eliminating the fruit
and fish industry by the adoption of
the following provisa: provided, how
ever, that the provisions of this section
in relation to the hours of employment,
shall not apply to, nor effect females
in harvesting, packing, curing,
canning or drying any variety of per-
ishable fruit or vegetable, nor to fe-
males employed in canning fish or shell
fish"
The attachment of saving clause
which provides that 'if it shall be ad-
Indicated that the foregoing proviso
and exceptions shall be unconstitution-
al and invalid for any reason, an ad
judication of invalidity of such proviso
or any part of this act, shall not affect
the validity of the act as a whole or
any part thereof" put us in a position
where we could not successfully oppose
the whole act invalid. We regret that
the exemption of these industries was
necessary to secure the passage of the
act, as we believe that some of them,
the fish canning industry,
should not be excepted as such employ
ment is too arduous and unhealthy to
warrant long hours of labor.
Nomination of Supreme Court Judges
By Direct Primary.
The act of two years ago which de-
prived the people of their right to NOM
mate supreme court judges was repealed
and the peoples rights restored in bet
ter form than the original law. Under
the new law candidates for the supreme
court at the primaries who receive SO
per cent of all votes cast, are placed on
the election ballot without opposing
while those receiving less
than so per cent have twice the num-
Der of names put on the ballot on cleo
tion day than there are judges to be
elected.
Millage Tax for State Educational In
stitutions.
\ measure placing all state education
al institutions on a millage tax basis
was passed and should eliminate from
future legislatures much of the lobby
ing and trading that has ben resorted
to in the past by both the representa-
tives of these institutions and members
of the legislature.
Miners Legislation.
Bills providing for the appointment
of commission to revise the states
mining laws, for the safeguarding of
the storage of powder, and issuing by
mining companies of only such amounts
as would be used daily and for the ap
pointment of an assistant mining in
spector were passed. Efforts to secure
an eight hour bank to bank law and the
use of safety lamps failed.
Insurance Code.
A complete revision of the insurance
laws of the state was enacted. 1t was
necessary to watch this carefully in the
interests of benefits guaranteed by our