The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-03-08
TRADES
COUNCIL
Wednesday, March 6, 1918

Inc COunCll was w OiNS'
by President Vingen at p. m.
A communication was received
from the Brotherhood of Railway
Clerks, Everett Lodge No. 465, notify
ing the Council that they are organ
izing and requesting the Council to
send a committee to their meeting
next Monday night to advise them
and aid in their organization. The
Council concurred in the request.
The Legislative Committee pre-
sented an initiative measure provid-
ing for the election of Public Service
Commissions instead of the Cover
nor's appointing them as at present.
The delegates agreed that the public
service corporations were satisfied
with the present manner of appoint
ing commissioners but the public
could not be otherwise than very
tired of it. Attorney Geo. W. Lout-
tit was present and addressed the
Council, explaining the provisions
and benefits of the proposed bill, Of
which he is the author.
The Council adopted the measure
and instructed the Secretary to re-
quest all other central labor bodies
in the State to give it like favorable
consideration. Following is the text
of the bill:
Be 1t Enacted By the People of
the State of Washington:
Section 1. That Section 2, of
Chapter 1T of the 1911 Session
Laws of the State of Washington,
known as the Public Service Com
mission Law be and the same is here
be amended to read and be as fol-
lows:
Sec. 2. Public Service Commits
sion. Election. Term. Recall
There shall be and there is here
by created a public service commits
sion, consisting of three persons. The
members of such commission shall
be elected at the general election
held in the year 1920, and every
four years thereafter. Their re-
spective terms of office shall be
four years, unless recalled before
the expiration thereof, as provided
by law for the recall of other pub
lie officials. Vacancies upon such
commission shall be filled by ap-
pointment of the Governor, such ap-
pointee to hold office until the next
general election, when his successor
is to be elected by the people for
such uiIexpired term.
Committee on Mooney Mass meet
ing reported successful meeting
and a contribution of $S793 to the
Mooney defense fund.
Report of Unions
The BARRIERS reported good meet
ing. They have raised wages and
shortened the hours since the last
meeting of the Council. They are
considering withdrawal from the
Washington State Federation of La
Dor. No reason given.
The Meat Cutters and Butcher
Workmen, Cooks and Walters and
Molders had good meetings.
The Electrical Workers reported
one initiation and that their union
is framing a new scale.
The Machinists reported good
meeting. Six applications for men,
bership were received.
The Plumbers had an interesting
meeting. They bought six tickets to
the Label League dance. Subscribed
for the Labor Journal for the ensu-
ing year for all it's members. Bro
John Watson was elected to repre-
sent the union in the Commercial
Club.
The Shingle Weavers by Delegate
Pilon reported the merging of the
Shingle Weavers and Timberworkers
ers International Unions under the
title international Union of Timber
workers. Brother Pilon said the
joint convention was harmonious and
practically unanimous in all its acts.
He related several humorous in
cidents which served to entertain the
convention. (See report on this
page)
The Timberworkers reported a
good meeting and had eight initia-
tions.
The President appointed Delegates
Pilon, Stanley and Wefferling the
Legislative Committee.
After discussion of several topics
of interest to the unions the Coun-
Gil adjourned.
w. N. Winter has resigned the
vice. presidency of the Commercial
Club for the reason that the legal
steps to be taken to prevent the