Semi-weekly herald., 1913-08-14

Birdsall- Webb anti-alien land bill,
which aroused the nation because it
threatened to become stumbling
block to peace between the United
States and Japan, today became a
law. During the time of its passage
and the affixing of Governor John
sons signature and the date Of its ef-
fectiveness, the Japanese Of California
have purchased many hundreds of
acres Of land. By the law, hereafter
no alien who is not eligible to citi-l
zenship can acquire land within the
state by purchase. He may, however,
rent property for not longer than
three-year periods with renewals at
the end of these periods. The bill,
which brought Secretary of State Bry-
an here on hurry mission to attempt
to prevent its passage, is aimed di-
rectly at the Japanese who have ac-
quired vast tracts Of the most fertile
valley lands which American citizens
have been forced to vacate because Of
the cheapness 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 of the most important and far
reaching are:
The compulsory compensation law
which affacts ovarv toilor ir, tho 81 n Ia
excepting only those employed in agri-
cultural, dairying or domestic service.
1t imposes on the employer direct re-
sponsibility for accidents to workmen
during performance of their duties
and does away with contributory neg
| ligence and fellow servant doctrines.
By the mothers pension law the
sum of $430,000 appropriated by the
legislature becomes Immediately avail
| able for aiding dependent mothers.
The sum of $6.25 per month is given
for each child, this sum to be supple
mented by similar amount from the
county.
The civil service law, declared to
be the most comprehensive in the
country establishes the merit and COM
petitive examination system for prac-
tically 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 of departments and
confidential employees are excepted.
The minimum wage law, also effec-
tive today, provides for the appoint
ment Of commission to investigate
industrial conditions in California pre-
paratory to the establishment of min
imum wage schedules for women and
children. There are to be five COM
missioners; one from the employers,
one from the employees, one woman
and the other two to be selected
at the discretion of the governor.
The discriminatory practices act
aims chiefly at Standard Oil. 1t pro-
hibits corporations from making a
difference in the price Of goods sold
in different communities, allowing Of
course for difference in freight rates.
| Slashing rates to freeze out COM
petitor or to prevent new compete
tor from entering the field will be
eliminated.
The eight-hour law for nurses was
passed after it was learned that
nurses in California had been required
to be on duty for from eighteen to
twenty hours day. When the law
was first discussed several hundred
girls who appeared before the legis-
lature in its behalf we're discharged
for their activities.
The weights and measures law is
expected to save the housewives Of the
state approximately 100000 yearly.
1t provides heavy penalties for short
weight selling by dishonest merchants.
The university extension law is
along the lines Of the Wisconsin stat
ute and athorizes expenditure Of $780,
900 to bring the university closer to
the people.
The law regulating employment
agencies was passed to do away with
the pernicious practice Of employ
ment agents dividing fees with fore
men on jobs on which workers are
sent. By it's provisions agencies must
| specify whether men wanted are to
take the place Of strikers.
The full crew law is much similar
to that passed in New York state.
The "blacklisting" law provides
against use of water marks or secret
signs on discharge or transfer pa
pers by employers, system said to be
general throughout the state among