The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-09-13
A PLATFORM
WITH A PUNCH
PROGRESSIVE PARTY IN CON
VENTION AT SEATTLE
ADOPTS RADICAL PLAT
FORM-LEGISLATION RE
QUESTED BY FEDERATION
OF LABOR AND GRANGE
FORCES ENDORSED.

Following is the platform adopted
| Affirming the declaration of princi-
pies Of the progressive party adopted at
the first national convention, Chicago.
August Z, 1912, we hereby contract with
the people of the state of Washington
that in so far as the same relates to our
state we will carry out every provision
therein contained. The call of the peo-
pie for a purer democracy has brought
forth the progressive party Our mission
is to answer that CALL to change our
system of state, that the people can Sc
cure a more direct rule of legislation Of
our country. We pledge our legislative
candidates to submit to the people an
amendment to the state constitution
giving the people the right to initiate
amendments to the constitution on petit
tion of 10 per cent of the voters.
We approve of the principles of the
workman's compensation act, but believe
it to be deficient in that compensation
is too small, first aid unprovided for, and
provision for safeguarding of life and
limb inadequate. We pledge ourselves
to an increase of not less than 25 per
cent. in compensation; to provide that
costs of medical treatment shall be borne
| by the establishment in which the acct
dent occurs, up to reasonable amount,
and any further sum by the accident
fund of the state, and more stringent
provisions for the safeguarding of life
and limb. Any sick or hospital fund ac-
cumulated by deduction by employers
from the wages of employees shall be a
quasi-public trust fund, and must be ac-
counted for quarterly, or oftener, to the
state industrial insurance commission
We believe in the initiative, referendum
and recall amendments to our constitu.
tion, now submitted to the people, and
will pass laws to carry these amend
ments into effect if adopted at the next
November election.
We demand the submission of furth-
er constitutional amendment providing
for the recall of the judiciary.
| We favor the abolition of all, except
three, of the present state boards and
commissions, which shall have the power
now vested in all the present boards.
To the end that stock and security
owners and purchasers shall be protected
from fraudulent devices, we favor the
enactment of stricter laws regulating the
issue and sale of stocks, bonds and pro
motion schemes.
We favor the construction of good
roads for the primary benefit OF our
farming districts built under such plans
as when completed will make complete
highway systems over all of the state.
We favor pension for the aid of in
digent mothers, in order that they may
care for minor children.
We favor the rigid inspection of all
public and private institutions for de-
linquents and INDECENT children.
We demand the repeal of that provis-
ion of the statutes permitting one cor
poration to own and hold stock in an
other corporation.
We favor the national child labor law
and teachers retirement fund.
We are opposed to any employment
agency fee being deducted from any en-
ploye and favor the establishment of free
employment agencies.
We demand a change in the rules OF
the house and senate, doing away with
the excessive power of the rules COM
mittee.
We favor the passage of law which
will prohibit the use of party name in
the nomination and election of county
officers.
1t is essential for the welfare of the
people of this state that the wage earn
ers should receive a fair share of the
products of their labor and that work
ing hours should be limited. Men en-
gagged in various occupations have been
able through their trade unions to ac-
complsh much in this direction, but
women workers have not succeeded as
well. The state has already recognized
this condition in the passage of laws linn
iting the working hours of women in
various industries.
We favor the passage of laws fixing
a minimum wage for women workers.
We favor the amending of the present
laws, and the passage of new laws, gov
erning the formation of irrigation dis
tricts and logged off land districts; Civ
ing all residents of the state owning
lands in such districts vote on all mat
ters concerning the same.
We pledge our congressman to do all
in their power to secure the develop
ment of the Palouse irrigation project
by the United States reclamation service
at once.
We invite all citizens, irrespective of
past party affiliations, to unite with us
in the furtherance of this program.