Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-02-06
Mrs. Hon1pson's Busy Day.
But Women Legislator Loses

Mrs. Thompson had her day in the
house yesterday, went to the bat three
times and each time was declared out.
1t became apparent that she was not
going down to defeat because of there
being no merit in her measures but be-
cause the interests affected pulled a
lobby strong enough to swing enough
members to oppose her.
Employment Bureaus
Backed by the state grange and the
Oregon state federation of labor, she
brought up bill to prohibit the col
lection Of fees by employment agen-
cies On second reading the bill was re-
fcrred to the committee on judiciary
and reported back with the recommen-
dation that 1t do not pass. Mrs. Thomp-
son then declared the bill had been
nassed on before she was given chance
to appear before the cor mittee and ex-
plain its provisions. The house adopted
the report of the committee bit refused
to indefinitely postpone. A motion to
lay on the table was lost and Mrs
Thompson took the floor for her meas
ure.
She told of the abuses of the employ
ment agencies, how iaborers were fleec-
ed out of money and jobs just to fill
the pockets of the men who ran the
agencies. She explained how the bill
was aimed to correct the abuses and
help the working man.
Mr.. Lewis took the floor against her
and declared the bill was subtitle, mis-
chiefmaking. He asserted with consid-
cradle warmth that the bill he and a
committee in the 1915 legislature draft
ed was good enough legislation and
seemed insulted that any one thought
they could do any better job. He said
the 1915 bill was to prevent evils and
make it possible for conditions existing
again as existed when the Oregon elec-
tric line was built when men were hired
by the agencies, sent out on job, kept
ten days and discharged, etc, ad lib.
He said the employment agencies were
criminally responsible for violations of
the act. He said he knew the source OF
the bill and that it ought to be killed.
Bowman Stood In
Representative Bowman said he con
Cured in the remarks of Mr.. Lewis. lie
also helped frame the 1915 law and
thought it good, and should not be re-
pealed.
1t was the opinion of Representative
Forbes that the conditions existing III
he early history of the industrial move
ments here do not exist today. The state
of Oregon is not having the develop
ment it was having few years ago. ht
! declared, and the reason was Legislation
of this kind. He said the old law plac
ed civil and criminal liability IN tn
agencies. The present law he though
would legislate them out of business
He stated that it was absolutely neees
sary for the big industries to have tn
services of the employment agencies
He thought there was sufficient legis
ilation on the subject.
Callan moved the previous question
which was carried, and Mrs. Thompson
came back in rebuttal. She said sh
was surprised that Bowman and Levi
were against the bill, although sh
knew it had been stated by Lewis tina
he would oppose any measure she intro
duced.
Regarding the 1915 law, she said sh
1 thought the legislature was free
change its mind on the subject, Just a
it had changed its mind on other sub
Lieets. She declared it did not legislat
/ the agencies out of business She SAT-
other states had tried regulation bu
the agencies were apparently not abb
to be regulated.
The bill was lost 81 to with tw
mot voting.
Ten Bills Passed
NJ IN ...o., ,,,..,,1 s,.as4ar,Iax- ftar