The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1949-02-02

An urgent appeal to citizens to
contribute funds to the Washing
ton State Committee Against Dis
elimination IN Employment was
made this week through Charles
NJ. Stokes. member of the Execu-
tive Committee. The committee
is made up Of responsible citizens
throughout the state and headed
by Frank P. Helshell. prominent
Seattle attorney. The purpose is to
secure passage of Senate Bill II
and House Bill 90. a proposed
law against discrimination in en-
ployment because of race, creed,
color or national origin. The bill
is modelled on the New York
State law but modified to meet
the needs of the State of Wash
ington.
I'VE are very optimistic about
passage OF the BILL" Stokes said
this week. but 1t is important
for all interested citizens to do
their part" The committee has
opened offices at 419 e. Pine,
and has secured e. w. Van Wal
kenburg as executive director.
Copies of the bill and informa-
tional pamphlets may be secured
at the office, or by calling Frank
lin s1s1. Senate Bill IL and House
Bil192 have been referred to labor
committee in both chambers and
hearings will be held In the near
future.
The proposed will was drafted
by a subcommittee Of the state
committee after careful study of
comparable legislation in other
states. The legislative committee
is headed by George Reyelle and
includes Charles NJ. Stokes, Frank
Bayley. Jr., and Judge James
Hodson. The sponsor, in addition
to Mr.. Helsell and the members
Of the legislative committee, in
clude:
George Revelle, Roy w. Atkin-
son, Arthur G. Barnett, Frank s.
Bayley, Jr., Bishop s. F. Bayne,
Jr., Frederick A. Burwell, Mayor
William F. Devin, N. P. Dotson,
Jr., Henry Elliott, Sidney Gerber
James w. Hodson, John L. King,
Harry M. Myers. William Mimbu
Mrs. F. F. Powell, Reginald IL
Parsons, Morton L. Schwabacher
and Charles M. Stokes.
The proposed Washington State
Law Against Discrimination in
Employment is intended as a step
toward preventing and eliminating
discrimination in employment, up
grading, or dismissal because OF
race, creed, color or national an
cestry.
This bill forbids an employer
Except domestic servant, relig-
ious, charitable. educational, social
and fraternal associations, and
those employing less than eight
persons), employment agency Ia
Dor union, political and civil sub
divisions of the state. from discri-
mination because of race, color,
creed or national origin. The bill
does not dictate to an employer
whom he shall employ. He himself
decides as to the qualifications
of the employee; the bill does not
usurp this prerogative of an en-
ployer The bill is based on the
concept that opportunity for en-
ployment without discrimination is
civil right.
The bill will create a non-sal
aried board of five members to
be appointed by the governor and
to be known as the State Board
Against Unfair Employment Pract-
ices.
The board will be charged with
the responsibility of eliminating
discrimination by Cancellation, per-
suasion and education. In event
that Cancellation fails, the board
may hold hearings, has the power
of subpoena and may issue cease
and desist" orders. These actions
are renewable by the courts which
may impose penalties in case OF
willful violations or dismiss the
case.