The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-01-31
LABOR PROGRAM
AT OLYMPIA
lSpecial Correspondence.l

of this state within the last few years
as regards their general responsible
ity to the people VINO risk their health,
limbs and lives in the work of carry
ing on the industries of the state" "
says II. L. Hughes, who is at Olympia
during the present session of the leg
islature, representing the interests Of
the organized workers, through the
Washington State Federation Of La
Dor. "As a result of this awakened
public conscience, the state of Wash
ington has already taken an advanced
position in the enactment of labor
legislation, and we are hoping for
considerable from this session of the
legislature.
eve are asking for nothing that is
unreasonable or burdensome. We de-
sire no legislation that will be either
unfair or work disadvantageously to
the growing Industries of the state
We cannot, however, afford to have
an industrial condition invade this
prosperous, resourceful young com
monwealth that is going to be ruinous
to the health, morals or material we'll
being of the men and women of labor
who are the real foundation and the
real producers of all that goes to
make a state great Greatness that
is to be lasting consists first in the
highest development of men and Wom-
en-. A high degree of racial develop
ment will necessarily bring with 1t
material development and prosperity.
Men and women who have health,
minds and morals developed will force
their way to the success Of both the
individual and the state, and they
will force this success, too, over eV-
cry other community or country that
suffers an industrially inferior class
of workers, victims of private greed
forced upon them by governmental
neglect.
State Projection Necessary.
"Unless there are governmental re-
strictions and regulations that pre-
vent individual employers from fore
ing upon the worker conditions that
make for great waste in life, health
and morals, together with lack OF
earning power to properly feed, clothe
and educate their families, the race
must necessarily tend towards de-
generation and lack of efficiency in
Strong men and women
make a strong nation, politically and
commercially. America enters the
markets of the world in competition
with the manufacturers of the cheap
est labor countries of the world. and
undersells them in spite of the fact
that we have a higher general rate of.
wages for our labor. We can do this
because our labor is more efficient
for the reason that it has the higher
development that comes through bet
ter wages and a consequent higher
standard of living We can only
maintain this standard of efficiency
and go forward for greater develop
ment by the enactment of legislation
that will equalize conditions and hold
all employers, both good and bad, up
to a general standard of working con-
ditions. To leave conditions open
would mean that the standard would
be constantly subject to reduction
and decentralization through the as
saults that would be made upon 1t
by the most Objectionable class Of en-
Movers. therefore We are seeking in
general way to secure legislation that
will bring about this equalization.
Every employer will then have a fair
field. and no one under the law Will
be able to underbid by means of re
sorting to a bad labor condition, such
as would come from the more un-
scrupulous class oil employers.
Minimum Wage for Women
"To this end we shall ask for min
imum wage bill for our women work
ers. which will supplement our state
eight hour law for the protection OF
the future mothers of our coming cit
izenship. This is primal for how can
we expect a sturdy race from moth
ers who suffer the hardship Of over
work and undernourishment due to
lack of sufficient pay with which to
nrovide the commonest necessities OF
life? It is our highest duty as a pro
qressive people, TO provide the very
hest safeguards for the material we'll
being. the health, morals and general
DEVELOPMENT of our women in indus
trv. The lack of any or all of these
things finds its foundation in under
nav. If some employers refuse to pay
their women workers a living wage,
and thus force an unfair competition
upon the employer who would pay it.
there is no better way to solve the
problem than by enacting a law that
will set a wage below which they dare
not go.
Health and Sanitary Measures.
General health and sanitary meas
ures for the conservation Of life'
health and efficiency among all class
es of our working people is another