The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-12
ANTI-JAP BILL
TAKES EFFECT
in CALIFORNIA
Nipponese, Not Eligible to Citi-
zenahip, Can No Longer Pur.
chase Land
MANY RADICAL LAWS
ON STATUTE BOOKS
Mothers Pensions, Minimum
Wage Law and Compulsory
Compensation, Leaders

SACRAMENTO, Aug. 1.-THE
Birdsail- Webb antiaiien land bill,
which aroused the nation because 1t
threatened 10 become a stumbling
block TO peace between the United
States and Japan, today became
law. During the time of its passage
and the afflxing OF Gov. Johnson's sig
nature and the date OF its effective
ness, the japanese OF California nave
purchased many hundreds OF acres OF
land. BY the law, hereafter no allen
who Is not eligible to citizenship can
acquire land within the state by pur-
chase. He may, however, rent prop
erty for not longer than three-year
periods with renewals at the end OF
these periods. The bill. which brought
Secretary OF State Bryan here on a
hurry mission 10 attempt TO prevent
its passage, Is aimed directly at the
Japanese who have acquired vast
tracts OF the most fertile valley lands
which American citizens have been
forced TO vacate because OF the cheap
ness Of Japanese labor.
With the anti-alien law. also went
into effect some OF the most radical
and progressive laws yet to appear on
the statute books OF any state Some
ot the most important and far-reach-
,ng are:
The compulsory compensation law
which affects every toiler In the state
excepting only those employed In
agricultural, dairying or domestic ser
vice. IL imposes on the employer d.
rect responsibility for accidents 10
workmen during performance OF their
duties and does away with contribu-
tory negligence and fellow servant
doctrines
BY the mothers pension law the
sum OF $4,000 appropriated by the
legislation becomes Immediately
available for aiding dependent moth
ers. The sum of 1925 per month is
given for each child, this sum 10 be
supplemented by a similar amount
from the county.
The civil service law. declared 10
be the most comprehensive in the
country, establishes the merit and
competitive examination system for
practically every employe OF the state.
The law was framed TO divorce com
pletely the state government from all
politics. Only private secretaries,
chief clerks heads or departments
and confidential employees are ex-
cepted.
The minimum wage law, also effec-
tive today, provides for the appoint
ment OF commission TO investigate
industrial conditions in California
preparatory TO the establishment OF
minimum wage schedules for women
and children. There are TO be five
no iac Of n no mi ~
ers. one from the employees, one a
woman and the other two TO be select
ed at the discretion OF the governor.
The discriminatory practices act
aims chiefly at Standard Oil. II pro-
hibits corporations from making a
difference In the price of goods sold
in different communities, allowing, OF
course, for differences in freight rates.
Slashing rates TO freeze out com.
petitor or TO prevent new competitor
from entering the field will be elm
mated
The eight.hour law for nurses was
passed after II was learned that
nurses in California had been required
10 be on duty for from eighteen to
twenty hours a day When the law
was first discussed several hundred
girls who appeared before the lecisIa-
ture in its behalf were discharged for
their activities.
The weights and measures law is
expected TO save the housewives OF
the state approximately 100000 year
". X provides heavy penalties for
short-weight selling by dishonest mer
chants
The university extension law is
along the lines Of the Wisconsin
statute and authorizes expenditure of
$50, 900 to bring the university closer
TO the people
The law regulating employment
agencies was passed 10 do away with
the pernicious practice Of employment
agents dividing fees with foremen
on Jobs 10 which workers are sent.
BY its provisions agencies must speci-
1 ~ whether men wanted are to take
the place OF strikers.
The full crew law is much similar 10
that passed in New York state
The "blacklisting' law provides
against use OF water marks or secret
signs OH discharge or transfer papers
by employers. a system said to be gen
j eral throughout the state among rail.
roads and big corporations