Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-01-19

TRANSACTED
MUCH BUSINESS
GOES ON RECORD AS OPPOSED TO
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. AND
ACTS on MATTERS OF MUCH
IMPORTANCE TO LABOR.

The Oregon State Federation of
Labor went on record this morning
as being heartily in accord with all
efforts to secure good roads.
Discussion on the proposed meas
ures for the proper inspection of high
tension electrical construction
brought out the fact that the majority
Of the fatalities among electrical
workers are due to faulty construc-
tion in the high voltage systems.
The trend of the talk was that while
the measure was good, it should be
closely watched, to see that it did
not in any way conflict with or invali-
date the present employers liability
law. The present inspection law for
electrical apparatus is not sufficient
and is in fact nothing but farce.
The resolution was endorsed with the
provision that draft of the pro-
posed bill be submitted to the execu-
tive board of the federation.
The endorsement ofsthe measure to
increase the number of supreme
judges was opposed. on the ground
that the same delays would occur un-
der the present methods of court
procedure and the resolution was laid
on the table.
The recommendation of the COM
mittee that the resolution relating to
old age and disability pensions be not
endorsed, was adopted.
Another recommendation on a sim
liar line was that the eighth annual
convention go on record as being "un-
qualifiedly and unreservedly opposed
to any legislation tending toward
compensation or industrial insurance
laws by the present legislature but
that the subject matter be referred
to the executive board to report at
the next convention.
The anti-capital punishment resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted.
The extension of the Chinese ex-
clusion act, which is urgently re-
quired by the Pacific Northwest, re-
ceived concurrence without a ques-
ton.
The Lifesaving Service pension
bill that is now before congress re-
ceived the hearty endorsement of the
convention.
The suggestion of Governor West,
made to the delegates at the recep-
ton given by him at the beginning of
the convention, that the federation
recommend two individuals to him for
appointment on commission, to be
composed of two representatives of
organized labor, two from the Grange,
two from the employers and one to
be selected by the governor, to col
lect data and make recommendations
to the next legislature on the subject
of automatic industrial insurance,
brought out considerable discussion
but on roll-cal1 vote was accepted
with the provision that any appoin-
tees be instructed to absolutely dis
countenance any action on the mat
ter by the present Legislature
Yesterdays Afternoon Session.
When the resolution relating to the
proposed new tax law for Multnomah
county was reported back from the
committee, Hon. w. S. U'Ren, of Ore
gon City, was invited to speak on the
measure. He stated that while the
present employers liability laws par
ticularly protect and help those en-.
gagged in hazardous occupations, the
exemption of individual effort from
taxation, as proposed, could not fai
to be a benefit to all working men
The burden Of the change would come
on the holders of large tracts Of un
improved land held for speculativ,
purposes-mos of which land is be-
ing enhanced in value by the labors
expended on adjacent lands. And tha
the Improvement of lands should MOI
ba ,,anaIfzad hv oddiffOnaI tava4io,