The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-03-07
CLEAN CAMP
CONDITIONS
REPRESENTATIVE KINGERY
INTRODUCES A BILL PRE-
SCRIBING SANITARY REGU-
LATIoNs FOR THE HOUSING
OF EMPLOYEES.
Especial Correspondence.l

member of the legislature from Mason
county, realizing the frightful unsani-
tary conditions of the average rail-
road and logging camps, is seeking to
have law passed that will compel
employers to properly house their en-
ployes. His efforts along this line will
meet with the hearty approval of
thousands of workers in this state,
who are compelled to submit to the
most inhuman, uncomfortable and I'M
sanitary camp conditions. The text
of Mr.. Kingerys bill follows:
Section l. Every person, firm or
corporation employing workmen, me-
chanics, or laborers in the construc-
ton of railroads, or any work in con-
nection Herewith, or in logging
camps. mining camps, or in any other
work, requiring the use of temporary
or permanent quarters for the pur-
pose of lodging said workmen, me-
chanics, or laborers during the contin-
uance of the work on which said
workmen, mechanics or laborers are
engaged, shall provide suitable sani-
tary quarters and pure water for said
workmen, mechanics or laborers.
Section 2. Every person, firm or
corporation employing workmen, me-
chanics or laborers, requiring either
fampororv or pormapant uuartorS for
the purpose of lodging said employees,
shall supply each workman, mechanic
or laborer with a sanitary bed, includ-
ing mattress, pillow and sufficient bed
covering to meet the climatic condi-
tions, and shall also furnish sufficient
heat and light for the comfort of said
towels and shall be required to keep
all sleeping rooms clean and sanitary.
Section 8. 1t shall be unlawful for
any employer of labor to require or
permit more than four persons to &C.
cupy one room or require or permit of
any lodging quarters where there
shall be less than sixty square feet
of floor space or less than $50 cubic
feet of air space for each person so
lodged.
Section A. Every person violating
the provisions of this act shall be
guilty of misdemeanor and upon con-
viction thereof shall be punished by
fine of not less than $50 nor more
than $500 for each offense, or be i'm
prisoned for not more than sixty days.
Section 5. 1t shall be the duty of
the commissioner of labor or such per-
son designated by him, to inspect all
of said temporary quarters specified
in sections 1, and 3 of this act, and if
in the opinion of the said commission
err, or such person designated by him,
said quarters are not in proper SAM
tary condition. in accordance with the
provisions of this act, the said COM
misoner or the person designated by
him shall thereupon give notice to the
employer or employers, and if said
employer or employers shall fail to
provide sanitary quarters, pure water
and the required floor and air space
notice, than they shall be subject to
the penalties provided in section A of
this act"
Enable Citizens to Buy cheapIy.
Mr., Kingery also has introduced
bill which if it becomes a law, will
enable private citizens. under certain
regulations, to avail themselves of the
states ability to buy goods through
the state board of control at contract
prices. Mr.. Kingery says that the
state buys goods in this way for state
purposes at prices all the way from
20 to so per cent cheaper than retail
prices, and that he sees no good rea-
son why citizens should not be given
the privilege OF using the states pur-
chasing agency to get the benefit of
these prices. The main provisions of
this bill are as follows, and will be of
interest as presenting a workable plan
by which the high cost of living can
be greatly reduced:
Section /. The state board of con-
troll is hereby authorized and directed
whenever required by one or more cit
liens of this state as hereinafter pro-
vided, to invite tenders for the supply
of goods to such citizens in a similar
manner as when purchasing goods for
state institutions.
Section 2. Nothing in this act
shall authorize the credit of the state
in any manner to be given or loaned
to or in aid of any individual, associa-
ton, company or corporation; nor
shall any county, city or town or
other municipal corporation be author
lied under this act to give any money
or property or to loan it's money or
credit in aid of any individual, associa-
ton or corporation; nor shall the
state, nor any county, city, town or
other municipal corporation, be re-
sponsible or assume any manner of
liability to any party whether buyer,
seller shipper or any party whatso
ever in connection with any transac-
tfo,, m claim aVicino 11ndar tho nrOUi-