Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-05-10
MENACE SEEN
IN PAY LAW AS
PROPOSED
PLAN TO FIX WAGE OF ALL
WORKERS IS FROWNED ON BY
ECONOMY STUDENTS = WOULD
PROBABLY CLOSE ALL FACTOR.
les.

ECONOMY STUDENTS - WOULD
PROBABLY CLOSE ALL FACTOR
les.
proposed minimum wage law, a draft
of which has been prepared by the
executive committee of the state fed
Grafton of labor, and which provides
that no man over 20 years old shall
work in Oregon for less than $3.50 a
day, and no woman for less than $1.65
a day, would revolutionize the COM
mercial and industrial life of the
state, declare students Of social and
economic problems, and check many
new industries by increasing the pres
ent cost of living.
II members of the state federation
can secure the funds necessary to
place the measure on the ballot at
the November election, it will be sub
mitted to the initiative vote of the
people. It will cost about $1,000, they
say.
Not Submitted TO Councils.
The proposed law has not yet been
presented to the labor councils Of the
state for ratification, but If 1t is de-
cided to proceed with the plans, la
boring men first will be allowed to
voice their opinions on It,
The new law is declared to be a
radical departure from anything in
effect here or abroad. Something Of
the kind once was discussed in Eng
land, but 1t was frowned down by the
more conservative and sensible lead
ers among the labor element.
The proposed oregon law is the
product of W. s. U'Ren, the oregon
City reformer. He has had advice
and assistance from G. H. McLaugh-
lin, of Marshheld, who has been
pointing out the needs" of such
measure for several years.
Provisions Are Sweeping.
Provisions of the proposed law are
sweeping in their effect, as they
make exceptions in specifying that
all male persons over 20 employed in
the state shall receive a minimum
wage Of $3.50 only in the case of "all
pastoral or agricultural labor"
The assumption is that farm hands
are not worth as much as ordinary
day labor employed at railroad con-
struction work, street paving, ditch
digging and kindred occupations.
Minor clerks in big offices, elevator
boys, delivery wagon drivers, mes
senger boys and all others employed
as apprentices, and who are more
than 20 years of age, will be en-
titled to the minimum wage.
Women employed in department
stores, laundries, hotels, restaurants
and public works Of various kinds,
will not be permitted to work for
less than $165 II they are more than
20 years old.
About 20 per cent Of the girls
working in the department stores in
Portland receive less than S1.65 per
day. Many employed in the telephone
exchanges of the state also receive
less than that.
Would Retard Much Work.
That the measure would prevent
much railroad construction work in
the state is the opinion of big con-
tractors. Many of the thousands Of
men employed in the grading camps
and traok-laying crews receive less
than $3.50 a day The difference be-
tween what they receive and $3.50
would amount to millions Of dollars
in big contracts, II is asserted, and
this would be sufficient to prevent
any big railroad from engaging in
extensive work.
Reasons or excuses for the desire
OF those interested in the measure
are found in the allegation that
many railroads and steamship agen-
cies already are selling transporta-
ton TO natives Of Southern Europe on
the installment plan with a view to
bringing them direct to Portland
upon the completion of the Panama
canal.
Department store managers and
manufacturers declare that the law
would revolutionize the commercial
life Of the state. All business is done
they point out, on the basis of fixed
charges, in which labor Is the most
important item. II the clerks in the
department stores are paid a higher
wage, the ultimate consumer, they
declare, will be required to make up
the difference,
IL may not result in higher prices
because Of the increased cost Of pro-
ductlnn ne dpalprs would no forced