The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1911-11-07

! 1t is not only within the power, bu
it is the duty of the several states tt
enact laws which will reinforce those
1 of the general government in suppress
ing the unmeet conditions that now
exist.
'The rank and file of our fellow.
countrymen who toll in the field, the
mine, or the shop constitute the ma
jority; they are not statesmen, either
by training or descent, but they real
ize' that something is wrong, and they
have a right to expect that their Of
ficers and representatives will find
a remedy-this remedy can be found
only in the enactment of just laws and
their strict enforcement.
81 enclose for your consideration, a
copy of bill defining employment
agents and limiting their fees 1t is
respectfully suggested that you recon-
mend it, or some similar measure, to
the next session of the legislature
in your state, l shall send copy of
this letter and bill to the governors
of all the Pacific coast states
Il have another bill drafted along
more radical lines which I shall be
pleased to mail to you, later.
"Any assistance you may be able to
extend to the department in the en-
forcement of the Alien Contract La
bor' laws, will be appreciated by,
Sincerely yours,
"W. J. M'CONNELL.".
"An Act to Define Employment
Agents; Limit the Fees Which May
Be Charged BY Them and Provide
Punishment for Extortion
BE it enacted by the legislature of
the state of. .......
Section 1. Every person engaged
in the employment of labor for others,
or securing employment for laborers
and charging a fee, or commission
therefor, shall be considered an en-
ployment agent.
Sec. 2. Every employment agent
who shall charge fee, or commission,
for the securing of employment for
any laborer, or mechanic, in excess of
five per cent of the wages to be paid
said laborer, or mechanic, for the first
month of his employment, shall be
guilty of extortion, and upon convic-
ton thereof shall be punishable by
Imprisonment in the county Jail for
q period not to exceed six months; or,
a fine not to exceed three-hundred dol
lars, $4,000, or. both; and it shall be
he duty of the prosecuting attorney,
IN each county of the state, to prose- |
cute all violations of this act occurring
within his county.
Sec. 3. Every individual, company |
)r corporation, employing labor, who
shall withhold any part of the wages
If an employee, for the purpose of pay
ng the same to any employment |
agent, or agency; unless required by
process of law to SO do, shall be
leemed guilty of eXrortion, and shall
orfeit for every such offense, the sum
If three-hundred dollars ($300); |
which may be sued for and recovered
y the county in which such offense oc-
.urs; or by any individual who shall
irst bring suit therefor in his, or
Ter own name and for his or her |
wn benefit as debts of like amount
re now recovered in the courts of the
tate. And the individual, company,
+ corporation giving employment to
aborers, shall be liable for the acts of
ny employee, clerk, or paymaster,
5ho shall withhold any part of an
wages, as heretofore stat
d, and shall be subjected to the penal
y provided herein
'Sec. 4. Any roadmaster superin-
sndent, or other officer of a railroad,
r other company, whose duty it is
} employ labor or contract for the
anne, who shall ask for, or receive, as
bonus, or 'rake-off,' for the giving of
ny laborer, or mechanic, employment,
hall be punishable by Imprisonment
l the county jail, not less than six !
lonths; nor, for more than one year
r by a fine of not less than three
undred dollars $4,000, or both; and s