The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-10-27
GOV. LISTER SEES THE
ERROR OF HIS WAY

Ilative acts, but since his attention has
been called to the Clayton act, now a
federal statute, he not only sees the
viciousness of the anti-picketing refer
endum measure, which he signed but
all the rest of the seven sinful statutes
and the constitutional amendment.
The Seattle Union Record of the 21st
says:
"In a signed statement read before
the great Wilson rally in the Metro
poltan Theatre Friday evening, Oc-
tober 20, Governor Ernest Lister came
out flat-footed against the seven refer
tional amendment to be voted on No
vember Z. In this action the governor
has gone far to rehablitate himself
with organized labor and has thrown
CONSERVATION into the camp of the
enemies of popular rule. His complete
statement, given the Union Record in
advance of any other publication is as
| follows:
STATEMENT BY GOV. LISTER
"There should be no division in the
ranks of the believers in popular gov
ernment in this campaign. Whatever
doubt there may be in the minds of
some as to the several referendum
measures proposed, there can be no
question as to the character of the
forces definitely aligned in their sup
port.
1.-THE rule of safety demands united
action. Several of the measures pro-
posed are vicious in the extreme, and
threaten the destruction of the entire
plan of the Initiative, Referendum,
Recall and Direct Primary. If the
issue becomes clouded or vague, these
measures may succeed. Under the
circumstances, it seems to me to be
the safe course that the forces of pop
uIar government should oppose, with
out exception, all of the Referendum
Measures now before the people.
Eight measures passed by the last
republican legislature have been re-
ferred to a vote of the people of the
State of Washington to be passed on
at the coming election on November 7.
Among these laws are Referendum
Measures Nos. and 4, directed
against the Initiative, Referendum and
Recall, and No. 5, directed against the
Direct Primary. These three meas
ures | consider are among the most, if
not the most, pernicious laws ever
passed by the legislature in this state
against the fundamental rights of the
people under our popular government.
1.-THE masses of the people of this
state, under the direction of organiza-
tions composed of men and women
interested in advancing and protecting
the rights of the common man under
our institution of popular government,
have banded themselves together for
the purpose of defeating these three
measures, and all other measures now
being referred to the people of this
| state. VII lfiC OlICI IidilN' liiS'C val
be no dispute as to the character of
the forces united in support of all
these referred measures intended to
curtal the principle Of popular gov
ernment.
"My attention has been called to the
provisions of the Clayton Act recently
enacted by democratic national con-
gress. This act clearly defines the
respective rights of labor and capital
in their several disputes. The general
plan there outlined | can give, and do
give, my unqualified approval. My
own personal record as a workman
and associate member of labor or
ganizatons, and my entire record as
public man, clearly emphasizes to
everyone that feeling of sympathy
which ! have for the cause of labor.
Notwithstanding the position for
merly taken by me in respect to Ref
erendum Measure No. 6, known as the
Anti-Picketng Bill, and after mature
consideration of the drastic provisions
of this measure, and in the light of
the scope of the Clayton Act, passed
by a democratic congress and ap-
proved by President Wilson, which in
my opinion and in the opinion of or
ganized labor goes far to compose
the differences between labor and
capital, shall unite with the forces
mentioned above to urge the defeat
of this, and all other measures re-
ferred to the people at this election"
Now, you stand-patters who wish the
fact,
All should read the Clayton act,
and you may then see the error of
lyour way.
while the lamp holds out to burn
The vilest sinner may return"
Why doesn't the daily press publish
Listers full statement.
Be careful about your vote. DON'T
I vote for the seven referendum meas
ures-vote against them.