The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-07-03
Days Horse Racing Aropane Flights Paa Water Stunts
MINIMUM
WAGE SCALE
H. L. HUGHES SAYS CITY MIN
IMUM WAGE HAS PROVEN
IN EVERY WAY SUCCESS
Full.

H. L. hughes, OF spokane, address
ed the Everett Trades Council at its
weekly session at the Labor Temple
last Friday night on the minimum
wage ordinance as relative to this city.
movement has been on foot for some
time in the local council for the adop-
tion of such an ordinance by this
city, and Hughes, having been through
the fight in which Spokane obtained
a similar ordinance, came here to tell
of the Spokane fight and urge the
adoption of a minimum wage ordin-
ance here.
900 Signatures Needed.
Before an amendment to the city
charter providing for minimum
wage Of SO a day, or any wage for
all persons employed by the city and
also demanding that the city employ
local residents and citizens can be
made, it is necessary to secure 900
signers to the petition for the $3-a-
day wage clause and 1900 signers to
the petition touching upon the en-
ployment of local men. If sufficient
signers are secured this question will
come up at the final election for the
two commissioners.
Mr. Hughes reviewed in detail the
history of Spokane's fight for SINH
lar ordinance, showing that it was
only after a constant and determined
fight that such an ordinance was
passed.
Immediately after the Trades Coun-
cial was organized there a fight was
begun for the adoption of a minimum
wage for the city. After three years
$3.50 wage was obtained, but as
most of the men who worked for the
city were employed indirectly-work-
ing for cOntractors-the ordinance
was of little avail, because the con-
tractors employed non-English speak
ing men The labor organization
could not explain its position to these
men because they could not talk Eng
lish. So the contractors evaded the
ordinance by employing men whom
they could suppress and literally
drive.
After continuous fighting on the or
ganization's part a $2.75 wage was OBJ
tanned, but it encountered the same
obstacle, Later the organization de-
manded $500 as a minimum This
demand met with opposition in the
city council and the chamber of COM
merce,
Then after the leading boosters of
the ordinance attended by 1000 men
in parade had waited on the city
council two nights, the council re-
ferrea 1t to the mayor. The MAYOR
after due investigation made a very
favorable report FOR the passage of
such an ordinance sur the $500
! wage was also evaded by the contrae-
/ tors.
! The opportune time came when
Spokane elected the Is freeholders to
draw up the city charter at the time
of the adoption of the commission
form of government. Five of the men
elected were members of the labor or
ganizations and a majority of them
were favorable to the minimum ordi-
nance.
A clause was inserted in the char
ter establishing the minimum wage
and Demanding the employment of To-
cal residents and citizens Of the
United States. Heads of families
were to be given preference. This
clause, owing largely to the efforts
of one man whom the labor men elect
ed, was enforced and became effec-
tive
There isn't a man living who has.
a broader sympathy for all races and
all classes everywhere" stated the
speaker, in speaking of the clause
which restricts the city's employees to
residents and citizens. Il possess pre-.
judice against no man. l entertain no
racial feeling against any man or race
upon Gods green footstool
I'VE do not forbid Japs and China
men from coming here simply be-
cause they are of a different race,
but we prohibit them for practical
reasons. They are imported to crush
down our standards of living They
do not benefit their own races-al-
though they may better themselves in
dividually-by coming here Capitals
interest in bringing this labor here is
CONTINUED on Page Two)