The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-05-31
THE FACTS ABOUT THE WASHINGTON
STATE LAW AGAINST DISCRIMINATION


STATE LAW AGAINST ISCRMINATION
The Washington State law against Discrimination in en-
ployment was drafted by an interracial committee OF responsible
citizens after months of careful study of comparable legislation
in other states. It is a composite of the best features OF other
state laws and was supported by various organizations including
the NAA.CP Seattle Urban League, Seattle Civic Unity
Committee, Christian Friends for Racial Equality, Council OF
Churches, Anti Defamation League.
The purpose of the law is to prevent and eliminate discrim-
nation in employment against persons because OF race, creed,
color or national origin. The Board is charged with the re-
sponsibnity if investigating complaints and If there IS reason
able cause for believing that an unfair practice has been COM
mitted shall endavor to eliminate the unfair employment by
CONFERENCE, CANCELLATION and PERSUASION. When
conference fails the Board shall appoint a hearing tribunal
and serve the respondent with a written notice to appear for
a hearing. Unlike some of the state laws it does have teeth
and a violation is punishable as a misdemeanor.
Ten states now have laws against discrimination in employ
ment. There is a wide difference in how the laws are admins
tered, the appropriation and the enforcement powers.
NEW YORK:
New York was the first state to pass a law against discrim-
nation in employment in 1915. 1t is administered by a five
member commission and each receives a $4,000 annual salary
NO cases have reached the courts in the five years the law has
c oee8 : In epse eanon;at q a ! g persuasi { I Penalty iSas one e year year
and /or $4,000 fine.
CONNECTICUT:
The Connecticut law was passed in 1947 and has a ten member
alton three years, the first case will reach the Superior court
June 10 in New Haven County. The law provides no penalty
for violation.
member commission. The chairman draws a $1,000 salary and
the other two members $4,000. No cases have reached the.
courts The penalty for practise is one year and Tor 5000 fine.
NEW JrRsEY: -
by the state department of education, assistant commissioner of
education plus seven members. The annual appropriation is
$44,350. No cases have reached the courts. The maximum
penalty for violation is one year and, or 5000 fine.
INDIANA.
Indiana adopted a law in 1916 but the legislation carries
no enforcement powers 1t is administered oy the DIVISION Oh
advisory board "A Senators, 4 representatives plus the Lieu.
tenant Governor) The annual appropriation is $4,000 and
there is no penalty for violation.
WISCONSIN;
wisconsin's law was also passed in 1916 and has no enforce
ment powers. It is administered by an industrial commission
and a seven member advisory committee. 1t carries a $4,000
appropriation.
OREGON:
Oregon adopted a law in 1s49 which is administered by the
Bureau of Labor and an advisory committee OF seven members.
1t carries a $4,000 appropriation. Two professional persons
are employed.
RHODE ISLAND:
Rhode Island passed a law in 1s4s and is administered by a
five member commission and has a $4,000 appropriation.
They have had only a few complaints and there have BEEN
no public hearings. The penalty is a $100$5O0 fine for failure
to post notices of the Act.
On NAV Is. 1850. the executive secretary wrote as follows
Personally, I believe the law is not Of sufficient age to have
been truly absorbed for employers to have observed to any
employment. Present conditions in the labor market. have. in
my mind, prevented the Act from a real true test. Of cases
received to date, all have been settled through Cancellation. .
NEW MEXICO:
New Mexico passed a law in 1949 which is administered by
a five man commission. No appropriation is specified. The
penalty is $100$500 fine for failure to post notices of the Act.
On May 10, 1850, the State Labor Commission wrote as follows:
AT the present time we do not have a policy of operations
set up by the Fair Employment Practises commission. The
commission has always funcioned on the merits of the cases
presented. So far we have handled six cases through the com
mission and all have been disposed of satisfactorily to the en-
ployee and the employer
WASHINGTON:
The Washington law, passed in 1949, actually began to function
when the Commission appointed by the Governor, employed a
secretary and opened offices October ], 1919. The Commission
ers are David Lockwood, chairman, Rev. Fountain Penick, Mrs
Robert M. Jones of Seattle, Richard Axten, Spokane and Father
Jerome Toner, St. Martins College, Lacey, Washington.