Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1914-07-31

When the local option law was up
for consideration the first time there
were number of good citizens who
said it was no good and added that
they would much prefer a statewide
prohibition measure. That was be-
for prohibition for Washington look
ed at all threatening. Things are
different now. Many of those good
people who opposed local option and
favored prohibition then. are now
making a loud cry against prohibit
ton and telling of the good that is
being accomplished by local option.
Is There Any Truth In This?
(Kent Journal.)
Some of the big dailies of the state
were always ready to fight the saloon
interests just as soon as the whole
state" was ready to make the fight,
but was certain that local option was
a mistake as Jonesville right near
was wet and Ourtown would get the
worst of the deal. Now that the
state has a chance to do as they
wanted, the same papers are oppos-
ing the move because the proposed
law is not strong enough. Why one
big daily says: "You can get liquor
shipped to your home and every
mans home will be saloon" Great
stuff such an argument. The truth
is the big dailies are afraid to fight
the liquor interests. The papers
would lose their fine page ads they
are getting which pay SO we'll and
are SO badly needed.
Approves Democratic Platform.
Davenport Tribune.)
Taken all together we think the
Democrats in state convention assem-
bled at Seattle last Saturday acted
pretty wisely and showed more sense
than Republicans usually credit them
with. Planks were adopted declar-
ing for shorter ballot and less fire.
quent elections: for the recall of
judges; a federal child labor law; a
system of rural and farm credits;
non-partixan county tickets and for
a constitutional convention. None of
the planks are along the line of freak
legislation but good sound common
sense that will appeal to the people
as being just and for the advantage
of the majority.
Can't Blame the Railroad Employees.
finland Empire News.)
II the, enginemen employed on the
90 railroads in the west go on a
strike when the companies refuse to
accede to their demands. they cannot
be blamed for it.
In another column of this paper
is published part of statement
given out by the employees relative
to how responsibility and work has
been piled upon them, the railroad
companies having been making in
creased profits, while the men doing
the work have been given even less
for their work.
In three instances railroad en-
ployes have arbitrated with the COM
panies, and not in single case did
the companies keep their agreement.
In an instance or two the matter was
carried into the court and the COM
panies won out.
In other words, the confidence of
the employees has been imposed upon,
violated; agreements were not kept,
and now the employees who are de-
handing their rights must not be
blamed at all if they refuse to arbi-
trate their present grievance.
OF course the strike would almost
mean a paralysis of business in the
country served by the railroads; ev-
erything possible ought to be done
to prevent 1t; but in case the railroad
employees find it necessary to walk
out on strike in order to get justice,
our sympathy will be with them.
Opposes Quincy Irrigation Project.
(Kent Journal.)
One of the referendum measures
that needs to be killed at the COM
ing election Is the Quincy irrigation
project. This proposes that the state
stand sponsor for bond issue OF
$4O,OOO,O0O to irrigate what is
know as the Quincy project in Doug
las and Grant counties. The state
ia asked to underXrite the bonds so