The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-11-29
CALIFORNIA LABOR
FEDERATION PLANS
FOR RECONSTRUCTION
Continued from Page One.)

| uncultlvated land and land held for
speculative purposes; system that
shall at once tend to disintegrate
monopolistic ownership of large areas
and that shall place a larger share
Of the burden of taxation on monop-
oistic wealth at it's chief source.
Land COlonizatiOn-As an auxil-
larry and immediate measure we
urge an extension, without delay, of
the State land colonization plan that
shall give to those of our soldiers
who so desire an opportunity of gain
ing a direct economic interest in the
soil they have defended with their
lives.
Public Ownership-We insist upon
public ownership of public utilities
Fand all properties Incidental to their
operation. We demand retention by
the federal government of the rail
roads, express and telegraph COM
panies.
Manning Our Merchant Marine -
We vigorously protest against any
return to the pre-war policy of man
ming our offshore merchant marine
with Asiatics. The merchant and
naval seamen who served our coun-
try in time of war-who voluntarily
manned our ships bound for subma-
rine infested waters-must be given
the same protection against competi-
ton with cheap Oriental labor as is
given to the workers ashore. The
Seamen's Act, instead of weakened,
should be strengthened to the end
that our young men who have re-
Gently responded to the call of the
sea will be encouraged to remain
there and make it their life work.
Labor Representation-The issues
drawn by the aftermath of war make
it more and more apparent that la
Dor cannot, with assurance, look for
the best protection of it's interests
in matters of government to any
group outside itself. We therefore
demand that representatives of labor
be included as members of the State
Civil Service Commission, the Board
of Regents of the State University,
the State Highway Commission, the
State Board of Education and all
other appointive state commissions
where labor is not now represented.
Progressive State Government -
We insist that there shall be no cur
tailment in the progressive and hui
manitarian work of our state gov
eminent. Certain reactionary forces,
under the guise of economy, are
right now attempting to muddle and
becloud this issue. But they must
not be permitted to make thrift and
economy slogan for reaction. We
want still better laws for the pro-
lection of the workers. To be spe-
cific, we demand the enactment of |
every measure enumerated in the |
platform of the California Union of
Producers and Consumers. California |
commissions have an important part
to play in the proper working out of
the various postwar problems and |
any movements to hamper the work
OF the commissions, especially during
the reconstruction period, should be
discouraged.
Changes Threatened
In conclusion we point to the fact
that the defeat of autocracy upon
the battlefields of Europe has been
by more or less serious rev.
pulmonary movements among the va
'ious war ravaged nations. 1t is evil
lent that changed psychology is
'eing instituted. This change, wheth-
n the employers will it or not,
threatens to extend to the very fun
iamentals of social and political
structure. 1t is manifested in the
social upheavals which have become
'ctual realities in every country of
europe. Only an intelligent re-
ponse to and direction of this de-
nand of the workers for a larger
in the proceeds of in
lustry can avert disaster to estab-
lshed government. This is warn
ng not inapplicable to the employers
# California.
We therefore strongly urge upon
he representatives of California in
ustries that the same cooperation
With labor be manifested in dealing
nth the problems of readjustment
S prevailed during the period of the I
'ar. Only when this basic principle
accepted by capital as we'll as by
lbor can our industrial problems be
quitably adjusted without the in
ection of European Bolshevism.
Respectfully submitted,