Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-07-29
UNION MAN EXPLAINS
INITIATIVE MEASURES

PHOENIX, July 24-Socialistic
in the extreme are the arguments
filed with Secretary of State Sidney
P. Osborn by Bert Davis, president
of the Arizona State Federation of
Labor in support of seven of the
measures initiated by the union men.
Poor houses, Morgan, Rockefeller
and war as an institution fall un-
der Mr.. Davis severe displeasure
His argument in favor of the indus
trial pursuits bill asserts that Arr
iona cannot too soon take steps
to prevent her great natural re-
sources falling into the hands of the
moneyed interests. This is the mea-
sure to give the State Board of Con-
troll authority to establish bank
ing system, printery, sawmills, smell
tiers, etc
In support of the old age and
mothers pension law, Davis declares
that almshouses are degrading and
cost more to maintain than it will
cost to pay the pensions provided
in the measure. Davis wants to know
why men who fight few days or
hours for their country should be
paid pensions and persons who fight
for existence sixty years be sent to
degrading institutions. The bill pro-
vides that all poorhouse property
shall be sold and the proceeds ap-
piled to carrying out the provisions
of the act.
American workmen need unham-
pered opportunity more than they
need anything else, Davis declares
in support of the anti-blacklist bill.
His argument for the bill regulat-
ing electrical construction contains
statistics regarding accidents which
/ he claims, were due to defective
construction.
The eighty per cent law provides
that where FIVE or more persons
are employed eighty per cent OF
them must be citizens of the Unit
ed States. According to Davis filed
argument, such measure is neces-
sary to prevent the exploitation of
poor foreign laborers and to up
lift American workmen. He makes
the rather startling assertion that
one American corporation employs
800 men, of whom only three arc
citizens. 1t is believed here that
Davis is misinformed.
Davis argues strongly for the bill
to establish the Australian system
of assessment in Arizona. Under
this system each citizen values his
own property but the State has the
power to purchase it at price ten
per cent in advance of his valua-
ton Such system tends to equalize
taxes and is not confscatory, Davis
asserts.
In arguing for the constitutional
amendment to remove the power of
the governor to veto, and of the
Legislature to repeal or amend laws
passed upon by the people, Davis
pleads for the removal OF tempta-
ton from the path OF the poor legis-
lator. He admits that usually legis-
lators are honest but thinks that
= they should not be subjected to
the temptation to change legislation
which the voters have approved. He
points out that last year the first
State legislature tried to alter the
three-cent fare and semi-monthly
payday laws.
Alfred S Donau, of Tucson, presi-
dent of the Arizona Business Mems
Home Rule Association, has filed
a long and exceedingly sane argu-
ment for the constitutional amend
ment which provides that the pro
hibition question shall not be sub
mitted oftener than once in eight
years Mr. Donau points out that
in the last four years FIVE Arizona