The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-02-24
MUCH NOISE:
LITTLE WORK
Legislature Nearing
Its Close And All
Important Legisla-
ton Still Held Up
By Dilatory Mem
bers-LabOr Meas
ures May Suffer.

IA 10 NAd y 0oAANAs
The sixth week of the legislature end
ed at noon Friday, in order that some
of the Solons might attend a banquet
at Vancouver, Wash, and others return
home, while the real manipulators of
the game arrange among themselves as
to what may and what may not be per-
mitted to become the law of the state
for the next two years.
Last Tuesday witnessed the test of
strength of the house on II. B. No. 1873
Initiative and Referendum and re
suited in a glorious victory for the Pro
gressives. The fight against it was led
by Sims, Beach, Croft Foster and
Client. Aligned with them in final
vote against the bill were Byerly
Drissler, Martin, McArdle, Mcmillan.
Stevens, NV H. and Webster.
The rules committee, Il majority of
whom We're opposed to the bill We're
scared into putting it onto the calendar
by the circulating of petition among
members friendly to the measure calling
for united effort in behalf of the bill
as prepared by its friends and against
the committee report which amended
the bill beyond recognition. A majority
of the house signed this petition and
four hours of every conceivable effort
failed to make a single change in the
bill. Seven roll calls were INDUCED in
during this time, but in the end Mr..
Sims said that the friends of the meas
ure" had perfect machine, well oiled
and still on the track"
On the day following another rough
house resulted over the second reading
and attempts to amend the Women's
Eight Hour Bill For four hours the
agents OF Special Interests Offered OBJ
lection and amendments to this meas
ure without thought or consideration of
the question from any other stand
point than that of $$$$. more $SS$ and
still more $685.
Again was the fight led by Sims.
Foster, Webster, HaIsey, Farnsworth
and French. The cannery interests were
successful in putting in an amendment
eXempting their business, Govnor Teats
following this with another-which pro
vides that of the cannery exception
makes the bill unconstitutional, said eX-
ception shall be void and the original
bill unaffected thereby. We are getting
the best possible advice on this phase
OF the matter and if, in their opinion, it
will stand the test of the courts no fur
ther objection will be offered
The Compensation act has been gone
over several times by the committee on
labor and is now in the hands of the
printer and will be on the house calen-
dar Monday. Rumors are afloat that it
will meet with much opposition yet it is
hard to find those who will admit that
they are going to oppose it. Lumber
men and other manufacturers will OPP
pose First Aid features A new Com
act has been introduced in the
senate and rumors are to the effect that
efforts will be made to substitute it
for the Commission bill
Public hearing on the Public Utilities
Act, 5. b. 102 were held Wednesday
night, the railroad commission adyocat-
ing the bill and representatives. of var
ious cities opposing it. Some changes
and concessions were offered, but they
are not in such shape yet as to indicate
what the chances of the bill will be-
While this bill apparently provides for
a new commission it is in reality revi-
sion of the Railroad Commission bill
giving them more powers and in the
minds of many infringing upon the
rights of cities,
S b. 100 providing for the labelling
of convict made goods passed the SEN
ate and is now before the house COM
mttee on manufactures.
S B. 29-Semi- monthly pay for pub
lie employees was indefinitely postponed
II. b. 1919 which eliminates the second
choice provision from the direct primary
law, and
II. b. 26S, Anti-Pledge bill are before
the house ON third reading or final pas
sage. Vote will be close,
Only II working days remain of the
session at most, yet the legislature is
not apprehensiye Of the nearness of the
close. No legislation of Importance has
yet passed both houses and the grist at
the finish will be unusually heavy and
consequently no one can foretell the
results except il be that the interests
in control win say what may or may not
become law, Every energy should be eN-
erted in behalf of the Initiative and
Referendum bills and the S-hour bill
in the senate. S. b. 100 in the house
and the Compensation bill in both