The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-01-12
THE FIFTEENTH LEGISLATURE
COMMENCES ITS GRIND MONDAY
AND LABOR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ON HAND TO URGE
MEASURES OF INTEREST TO WORKERS

Carlyon for president pro tenn. of the
senate. A caucus of senator's was
held Sunday night and this slate was
beautifully smashed by those who
style themselves progressives. Sena-
tor Ralph Nichols of King county
was selected in place of Senator
Carlyon for president pro tenn, which
is equivalent to serving notice on
Lieutenant Governor Hart that the
old-time methods are in the discard,
and that rules committee must be
selected that will not be so entirely
autocratic as that of previous ses-
sions.
H. L. Hughes, legislative agent for
the Washington State Federation of
Labor, who has been on the west side
for the past week attending confer
ences of legislators for the purpose
of discussing with them matters of
legislation, arrived early in Olympia.
President E. P. Marsh was also here
Monday and Tuesday, and will come
again after the convention of the fed
Grafton, which will be held in Everett
January %, and will then remain
here the greater part of the time
working in the interest of labor leg
islation. Mr.. Hughes expresses him
self as being hopeful of securing a
satisfactory "first aid" amendment
to the workingmen's compensation
act. The labor organizations have
definitely decided upon their bill, and
it will be introduced early in the ses-
sion. j. c. H. Reynolds, manager of
the Inland Empire Employers Asso-
citation, came to Olympia Monday,
and it is reported that he has first
aid bill ready for introduction which
will represent the ideas of the east
side employers. 1t is also reported
that another bill, similar in character
to Governor Listers commission bill
of two years ago, will be introduced.
There is also in course of preparation
new bill by member of the King
county delegation which, it is report
ed, will contain some new ideas along
the line of first aid and workingmen's
compensation.
AS soon as these bills are intro
duced digest of each will be fur
nished the working people of the
state through the medium of the la
Dor press, and it would be we'll for
them to study the question closely
and keep their Representatives in
both the house and senate informed
as to their desires in the matter of
this important legislation. 1t is al
most certain that a first aid bill will
be passed at this session., The en-
ployers will use every endeavor to
get through bill to their liking and
advantage. Labor should be on guard
for its own best interest, and can best
serve that interest by constantly
writing to the members and demand
ing that the law that shall be enact
ed give full justice to the injured
workman. Legislative Agent Hughes
declares it as his conviction that the
members of the legislature are far
more favorable to the enactment of
a proper law and are more awake to
its needs than any former session,
but that success can only come
through the insistent demand of the
workingmen of the whole state.
Another important piece of labor
legislation that will engage the at
tention of this session will be bill
for the establishment of small
claims court, through which working
men may collect their wage claims in
a direct, simple manner and without
heavy costs. The bill is being urged
by Labor Commissioner Younger,
who points to this evil of workingmen
defrauded out of wages as one of the
heaviest burdens imposed upon his
office. While his office does take UP
these cases and does the best it can
to collect the amounts DUE the office
is without proper power and author
ity, which the "small claims court"
could and would exercise.