Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-05-05
Initiative Measure No. 10

The Herald last week advised all
to closely study the new laws which
will be initiated and placed before the
voters in November for adoption or
rejection, with the view of being able
to cast an intelligent vote thereon
This paper has not studied the meas
ures sufficiently to venture advice in
the matter, but it does propose to
study and discuss them thoroughly be-
tween now and November, and its
columns will be open to all such dis
cussions, subject only to such rules
as obtain in all reputable newspaper
offices regarding communications.
One of the shortest laws of the
fourteen which are up for initiation is
Measure No. 13. entitled "An Act Pro
hibiting Employers from Requiring
OR PERMITTING (the capitals are
ours) employees to work more than
eight hours in any day Of "a hours,
except in agricultural labor or cases
of emergency; Providing for extra
compensation for overtime, and fixing
penalty for the violation thereof"
This act prohibits the employment
of any person more than eight hours
day or 48 hours per week Of seven
days, the only exception being farm
ers who are permitted two extra hours
day. Anybody else is liable to a
fine, including physicians. surgeons,
nurses, domestics, cooks and what
not. OF course. physicians and
nurses would, perhaps. fall under the
provision extraordinary emergencies
and would be permitted to continue
with case-at so per cent added
fee
Although this act might properly
be entitled, "An Act to further in
crease the cost of living" when its
sponsors are heard from and it's real
purpose becomes known the legal title
fits 1t all right.
Mr.. Buck, who is manager OF the
universal eight-hour day campaign at
Seattle, explained the purpose of this
law so plainly that none can read
and err therein, at Dreamland Rink,
Seattle, on February q last, when
he said:
"The short hour day for which
we are striving, would have these
results BY working eight, in
stead of ten hours, the prOduc-
ton would reduce 20 per cent.
for which the working men would
receive the same pay, and which
would be a 20 per cent. increase
in the number of laborers employ
ed In this way, more jobs would
be created. After we have sue
ceeded in securing the Universal
Eight Hour Day. WE INTEND
TO GET A FURTHER REDUC-
TON TO SIX HOURS AND
FROM THAT TINE 1T is BUT A
STEP UNTIL WE TAKE OVER
THE INDUSTRIES OURSELVES.
1t is necessary that $1,000 be
raised for operating this cam
paign for the eight-hOur law. Our
means Of raising this fund Is by
the selling Of this little button
which are rs cents each We will
also take up a collection for the
hall rent. We want all to buy but
tons who can, as every dollar
spent by labor costs capital 800
The more money we can cause
the employers to spend the more
it would be possible for us to get
our hands on, which means that
the employers will be compelled
to take that much more from
their business.
There Is no misunderstanding the
language of Mr.. Buck. The intention
of the law is not to relieve over
worked men and women but to con-
fiscate the property of every person
who, through hard work and self
denial has ventured to start bust
ness and become an employer, wheth
er large or small. All in favor of this
confiscation and the turning over of
the industries and business OF the
state to Mr.. Buck and his pals will
vote AYE"
The humor OF Mr.. Bucks pointed re
marks lies in the frisking Of the faith
full In his peroration. Step right up
gentlemen. We want $4,000 and will
sell you button for rs cents that
costs 90 cents great gross.