The Alaska daily empire., 1923-04-16
PROTESTS MADE
 BEFORE SENATE : ON HOUSE BILL
Witnesses Claim Monthly Payday for Canneries lm-
 practical at Present.

DI dCIlCdl al 1CSCIlt.
 A law requiring monthly paydays to employees of canneries and salt cries, such as is proposed in House Bill No 23, as amended last week by the Senate, would work hardship on such enterprises and might re- suit in forcing some of the smaller plants to cease operations, according to statements made by witnesses ap- bearing this morning before the Senate in Committee of the Whole. Those testifying were H. L. Faulk- ner, F. H. Bailey and R. E. Robert- son.
 Mir. Faulkner said it would be- virtually impossible for many of the smaller operators to meet such re- quirement These plants, he added, are operated on borrowed capital and only partly financed, being forced to ship their products to mar ket before funds for completing the seasons work and settling wage bills, etc, in their entirety. In an swer to a question from Mir. Aver as to the constitutionality of the pro- posed law Mr Faulkner said he had not studied that phase, but in his opinion 1t Is clearly class legislation and for that reason and for thel further fact that 1t might operate to impair contracts between canneries and their workers, il might prove to be invalid.
 Robertson Says Unwanted.
 There is no general demand by cannery workers for monthly pay day, according to Mr Robertson, who urged that the contemplated law would work a hardship on many canneries, especially those operat- ing In Bristoy Bay and on the Al aska Peninsula. He also said the method now necessarily used by small operators to finance their op- erations made monthly system of payments impracticable.
 MT. Bailey said employees of hi3 company were paid now as they wanted to be. Some of them are paid monthly, particularly those whom the company had to bring North for the season Many of these make arrangements for monthly pay ments to families and dependents in the States and these are made from the Seattle offices
 The company desired to employ all local help but had found it im- possible to get enough workers here to operate it's plants, he added. During the last few weeks. he point ed out, he had made an effort to get 20 men here, but could get but eight, being forced to go to Seattle to get the remainder.
 Rustgard Gives Opinion.
 Supporting an opinion given in writing to the Senate, Attorney General Rustgard declared the bill is .unquestionably class legislation. He added, however, that it is his belief, in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case aris- ing out of the Merchant Marine Act of June 5, 1920, that the Terri torial Legislature has the power to pass such legislation. He doubted the advisability, however, of doing 50 on account of the general senti- ment in Washington against the enactment of class legislation.
 ?. The bill was recommitted, on a motion by Senator Aldrich, to the Judiciary Committee for further recommendations and amendment.
 Pass One Measure.
 Senate Bill No. '97, broadening the scope of the present Territorial law prohibiting the importation of livestock into the Territory, requir- ing the inspection of such stock be- l fore shipment for either dairy or slaughtering purposes, and making 1t necessary to inspect hogs forI cholera before shipment, passed it's second reading, and under sus- pended rules, passed the Sanate un- animously.
 Mr. Ayers memorial asking Con gress to repeal the Act of Congress of August 1. 1912, relative to the location of placer claims in Alaska, passed it's second reading. It also asks that the Territorial Legislature be empowered to pass the necessary legislation covering this subject
 The committee substitute for Senator Aldrich's bill for the crea- lion of Territorial Board of Con .- - ------