The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-11-29
FEDERATION
SAYS BOUNCE
MIR. BURLESON
State Labor Body Demands Removal
of Arch Enemy of Unions

(From Mondays Seattle Union
Record.)
"a demand on behalf of the peo-
pie of the state that Postmaster
General Burleson be removed from
office and progressive man more
in line with modern governmental
policies appointed to succeed him,
was wired to President Wilson Sun
day night by the executive board of
the Washington State Federation of
Labor, in special session.
The executive board was called
into special session Sunday morning.
The primary purpose of the confer
ence, said President William Short,
is to draft program of legislation
following instructions from the last
convention, and such other legisla-
tive proposals as the reconstruction
period demands. The board will
remain in session until Monday eve
ming.
owe base our right to demand an
advanced reconstruction program of
legislation on the fact that labor,
more than any other force, aided
the nation in winning the war speed
ily," said Short. "rhe employers
must realize that labor has earned
the right to be recognized, and that
our organizations should be fostered
and not discouraged"
Reconstruction Plans
A request from the Seattle Cen
trail Labor Council that special
session of the entire state fedora
tion be called to outline policies of
reconstruction legislation had not
been officially communicated to the
board Monday morning, and the
board was proceeding to do this
work unassisted. The plan was
suggested, however, that special
conference of State Grange officials
and the executive board of the la
Dor federation be called immediate
ly prior to or in the early days of
the Legislature to which represent
atives of labor councils who cared
to send them would be invited, to-
gether with members-elect of the
Legislature who were endorsed by
the Grange and labor.
Outline Program
AS preliminary to reconstruc-
ton work the board will urge all
workers to resist any reduction in
wages or working standards. The
Council pledges the support of the
federation to all organizations in
resisting any reduction.
Appeals were sent to President
Wilson and the American Federation
of Labor urging them to prevail upon
the Government to retain control of
such public utilities as have been
under Government supervision during
gress to pass such laws as are neces-
sary to obtain control of all pub
lie utilities.
Among numerous legislative pro-
posals which, according to Short,
will be endorsed and worked for
are an old age pension law; health
and unemployment insurance pat
termed after existing laws in Great
Britain; radical changes in the
workmen's compensation and first
aid law, including substantial in
creases over present awards, elm
nation of waiting period and joint
contributions; a universal eight-houl
law; legislation for the rehabilita-
ton, as far as possible at the eX-
pense of the state, of returning
wounded soldiers and injured indus
trial workers, in order to fit them
for useful and self-supporting occu-
pations. Legislation to annul vici-
Gus supreme court decisions on la
Dor cases, so as to establish clearly
the right as to establish clearly the
right of workers to organize and
use the method Of peaceful picketing
will be supported. The proposed
law will provide a penalty for en-
ployers who interfere with the work
ers constitutional rights.
Larger appropriations for the adj
ministration of labor laws will be
asked for. A non-partisan or "blan-
ket" primary law will be supported
looking toward elimination of party
control of the selection of candi-
dates.
Will Aid Lumberjacks
Before adjourning the board put
plans in motion for the launching
of a state wide campaign of organ
izing Underwriters and went or