United labor bulletin., 1912-12-19
MINERS 8-H0UR LAWS
Miners 8-Hour Bill Passed
by the People--Probable
Effect.

The miners eight-hour law, which was
passed by the eighteenth general assem-
bly, and referred by the mine owners
under the referendum, was passed by
the people by a tremendous vote
But the initiated miners eight-hour
law, which was also filed by the mine
owners has received a favorable vote of
the people, as found by the canvassing
board.
Since both measures have passed, the
question arises as to whether both are
null and void. Some argue that they are.
while others say that they are both
valid. The point is also raised that the
legislature, which is about to convene,
has the power to repeal the initiated
measure and leave the referred measure
on the statute books; while others say
that both bills are made imperative be-
cause each repeals any statute in con-
fiict Herewith. Be this as it may. the
chances are that there is no miners
\ eight-hour law.
| The Bulletin called attention to the
fact before that both of these measures
| had probably carried In this result we
are shown that the initiative and refer
| endum can be used by the enemies of
good legislation the same as by its
| friends
But why was the so-called fake eight
hour bill passed by the people? There
is more than one reason. The United
| Labor Bulletin did its share in showing
| the workers how to vote for the good
measure and against the initiated meas
ure, but the people that should have
made the campaign against the initiated
measure are the ones that are to blame
/ for this neglect The trouble was that
those who voted for the referred meas
ure neglected TO vote against the initi-
ated measure. and those to blame for
not educating the miners and their
/ friends, and the entire labor movement
in the state, are those men at the heao
of the miners unions in the state
| While these so-called leaders were
| neglecting their duty in this behalf, they
were making campaign against the
secretary of state and the labor depart
ment in order to elect their man to a
position that carried with it much pat
ronage. The secretary of state and the
| labor department were strong for the
referred measure. yet they were put on
the defensive in the mining districts to
such an extent that they were forced to
devote all their time to defending them
selves, and could give no time to bills
that needed their support.
Had this night against the labor de
partment been eliminated by those who
are using their labor standing to play
at politics, the fake eight-hour law would
have been defeated.
! The situation referred to above is at
| tracing the attention of the interna-
| tional miners organizations as well as
the American Federation of Labor. and
an investigation will soon be made OF
the situation in this state in regard to
the political cabal that is deyoting its
time to indorsing candidates for office
instead of attending 10 the affairs of the
organizations they represent
| Since the canvassing board has been
sitting. and it became known that the
| fake miners eight-hour bill had passed
these so-called leaders have sent attor-
neys to the state house in great haste to
watch the canvass. Immediately the
claim was made that Secretary of State
Pearce would not allow the representa-
tives to watch as he was jobbing the
bill This assertion should be taken
with more than a grain of salt We are
informed that the ruling excluding the
watchers was the ruling of the canvass
ing board, on which is Roady Kenehan
and Governor Shafroth. We are frank
to say that we do not believe that either
of these gentlemen or any other MEM
her of the board would allow the bill to
be passed IL it did not have the neces-
sary votes. AS usual those who have
neglected their opportunities are the
| first to cry fraud.