The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-02-28

Dor Press, by VIM. Short.)
OLYMPIA, Feb. 27.- Friday,
February 21st was the last day on
which bills could be introduced in
the Legislature. Over 500 bills had
been introduced up to this date and
the Legislature is now attempting
TO give serious consideration to
them in the time intervening be-
tween now and the end of the ses-
sion, which is only twenty days
more.
The following bills of interest
to labor have been favorably passed
upon
House Bill No. 1S.-Increases
compensation of the Labor Commis-
sioner and assistants, and PROVIDES
a female assistant.
II. 3. No. 20.-Provides equal
pay for male and female school
teachers.
II. B. No. 73.--Introduced by rep
resentative Cotterill, defining and
prohibiting criminal carelessness.
II. B. No. 93.---Is the printing Dill
which had the endorsements of the
Typographical Unions of the state
ii. b. No. 15O.-Provides an ade-
ouate appropriation for the Indus
trial Insurance Department.
The following Ills of Importance
to labor have been presented in the
House and Senate, and a vigorous
campaign is being made to bring
about their enactment.
Senate Bill No. 16.-Provides that
all day labor shall be paid in cash:
S b. No, 39.-IS the BarberS
Bill, introduced by the BARRIERS
Unions of the State.
S. b. No. 126.-Is the Laborers'
Lien Bill.
s r. No. 147.-Introduced by S.
O,Harra. provides for the establish
ment and maintainance of State
Hospital and elimination of the con-
tract doctor and hospital features
and Joint contribution from the
First Aid Bill.
S. p. No. 153.-Is the Public De-
fender Bill.
S, b. No. 175.-Providing for an
increase in the salary of legislators
from $500 per day to $500 per
day. thus making it possible for
poor man to function as, "a legislator
and remain honest.
s. b, No. 95.-Establishes
Small Claims Department in JUS
tice courts.
s. b. No. 12O.--Establishi a
Fair Rentals Commission for the
purpose of fixing rates for all
buildings.
S. B. No. 21S.-Increases the Fire
mems Relief and Pension Fund.
S. B. No. 24S.-Is the Boilers In
spection Bill drawn up by the Sc
attic Boiler Makers Union
H. b. No. 24.--Providing salaries
for members of school boards in
cities of the first class. This bill is
introduced for the purpose of maxi
ing it possible for workers TO serve
on such boards.
II. B. AT, 129 and 251.-Amending
the Industrial Insurance Act, pro-
viding approximately so per cent in
crease in pensions to widows. and IN
jured workmen, increasing the
number of children coming under
the act from three to four eliminat-
ing that section of the present law
providing that the injured work.
mems compensation will be paid
until he is able to work, increas-
ing the funeral allowance from
SIS to 500 and providing a lump
sum of $3.50 cash to be paid to the
widow.
This and many other amendments
to the existing laws will greatly i'm
prove the law and we feel assured
of their passage.
II. B. No. 6s.-Providing for the
establishment of a Small Claims
Court.
H. B. No. 80.-Providing for the
execution of public works by the
State and it's local subdivisions. This
will allow State and municipalities
to do all the work by day labor in
stead of subletting it to private con-
tractors as the existing law now pro-
vides.
II. II. No. 203.-Defining season
al labor and places it under the
Jurisdiction of the State Labor Com
missioner to adiudicate wages, houGs
of labor, etc.
II. r. No. 204.-Provides that all
fuel used by counties, cities, school
districts, and state institutions must
be produced within the State.
II. B. No. 224.-Provides for
amending the State Constitution by
the initiative.
H. b. No. 235.-Is the Accident
Prevention Bill. This is the sound
est and most advanced legislation
that has yet been presented to any
legislative body. 1t is to be admin
istered by state board and three
sub district boards, composed of
two men, one to be selected by or
ganized labor and the other by the
employers. This rule also applies
to the district board. One district
board will be located at Spokane,
and have jurisdiction over all the
territory east of the mountains. One
board will he located at Seattle, and
l will have jurisdiction over all the
territory north of Seattle to the
Canadian line and east of the Cas-
cades, and the Tacoma board Will
take the rest of the State.
These boards are authorized to
employ assistants, and where nee
essary to establish sub-stations.
The boards are clothed with full
legislative as well as administrative
authority, being empowered to pro-
mulgate rules for accident preven-
ton in any industrial plant or es-
adjustment, and under a merit-rat-
ing system can penalize or reward
employers In the degree that they
carry out or fail to carry out the
standard of accident prevention
promulgated by the board. An APP
preparation of $780, 100 is being ask
/. ed for the administration of this
act. A vigorous campaign is being
conducted here and 1t seems evident
at this time that its enactment can