The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1917-01-04
FARMERS ADOPT
ADVANCED LINE
OF LEGISLATION
Unanimously lndorses Program
of Remedial Legislation Pro-
posed by the Secretary of the
Joint Legislative Committee.

At their annual meeting held in
Spokane the Farmers Educational
and Cooperage Union, of Washington,
adopted program of remedial and
progressive legislation submitted by
Secretary Lucy Case of the Joint Leg
islative Committee of the Farmers
Union, the Grange, the Direct Legis-
lation League and the Washington
State Federation of Labor, embracing
some of the most radical demands
ever made upon legislature in this
state. The sessions were attended by
representative body of delegates
with National President Barrett, of
Georgia, an interested spectator.
Complete harmony was the feature of
the meeting, and on every side was
evidenced determination to go for
ward in fraternity with the allied or
CARNATIONS towards making Washing
ton the best state in the Union for
the producers.
In addition to the legislative pro-
gram adopted the convention placed
itself squarely on record as opposing
a constitutional convention, taking the
position that the initiative law should
be extended to allow action on the
constitution. The conference also de-
manded that the state college at Pull
man be continued in it's present eff
cheney and not robbed by the legisla-
ture of some of it's most important
branches of study.
Following is complete list of the
legislative demands indorsed:
Constitutional Amendments
We specifically favor that the fol-
lowing measure be passed by the Leg
islature of the State of Washington at
the session of the Legislature to be
held commencing January, 1917:
GAY A bill submitting to the people
Constitutional amendment providing
for the right of the people to amend
the Constitution by the initiative.
(b) A bill submitting a Constitu-
tional Amendment, prohibiting the
alienation of any of the water power
belonging to the state of Washington
in fee, and prohibiting the leasing of
any water power belonging to the
state of Washington for a longer per-
iod than fifty years.
(c) A bill submitting to the people
a Constitutional Amendment provid-
ing for the consolidation of city and
county governments in any county
which contains city having popu-
lation of 100000 or more.
(d) A bill submitting to the people
a Constitutional Amendment provid-
ing a short ballot bp the elimination
of the election of all minor state and
county officers.
(e) A bill submitting to the people
a Constitutional Amendment provid-
ing for the recall of judges as we'll as
other elective officers.
(f) A bill submitting to the people
Constitutional Amendment provid-
ing for a tax on the unearned incre-
ment through the increase in land
value.
(g) A bill amending the Industrial
Insurance Act by providing adequate
first-aid to the injured
State Employment Agencies
(h) A bill providing for the estab-
lishment of state employment agen-
cies with power to relieve unemploy-
ment and prevent the same as far as
possible.
(D A bill Strengthening the enforce
ment provisions of the Prohibition
Law adopted in 1915.
Cd A bill providing for the printing
of arguments for or against Initiative
and Referendum measures by the
state free of charge as guaranteed by
the Constitution.
(k) A bill providing that in the
nomination and election of all state
and county officers, party designation
be eliminated from the ballot.
Cd A bill which will enable the
state to lend financial aid in order to
place prospective farmers on the va
cant agricultural lands of the state.
(m) A bill providing for the APP
pointment of a commission to draft
bills to submit to the 1919 session of
the Legislature providing for old age
insurance, sickness insurance and I'M
employment insurance, and to suggest
such other legislation as the commits
] sion may deem advisable.
: (n) A bill providing for an adequate
tax on fish products taken from the
waters within the jurisdiction of the
State Of Washington.
Coz A bill providing for a direct
system of marketing so as to elimi-
nate as far as possible the charges of
the middlemen on staple food pro-
ducts,
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