The labor journal. [volume], February 04, 1921, Image 1

About The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976

Image provided by: Washington State Library; Olympia, WA

                
OFFICIAL PAPER
EVERETT CENTRAL
LABOR COUNCIL
VOL. XXIX.
INDIVIDUAL BARGAINING HAS BEEN
"WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING"
Individual bargaining has "been
weighed and found wanting."
For centuries employers dealt with
workers as individuals, while organ
izations of laborers were declared
conspiracies and treated as such by
the state.
During all this period, down to
but a comparatively few years ago,
the power of these employers to ap
ply their individual bargaining the
ory was unchallenged.
Who is responsible for the change?
Why have 5,000,000 wage-earners re
jected the "free and independent"
status favored by employers?
At one time these employers had
individual bargaining in their plants.
They alone set wages and hours.
They dictated working conditions.
They were as complete masters of
their employes as is Garyism in the
steel trust's mills.
If this was an ideal condition,
what changed it ?
Could a few "agitators" or labor
"leaders" overthrow a system sup
ported by the state and every o f her
power at the command of the mas
ter?
Or did the system collapse be
cause it rested on greed ?
The history of production and dis
tribution in every country convicts
the individual bargaining employer.
He had a free hand in dealing with
"free and independent" workers and
these employes were driven into
OUT-OF-WORKS TOTAL 3,473,446
OVER LAST YEAR'S UNEMPLOYED
Washington, Jan. 29.—The first
of this year there were 3,473,446
less workers employed in industry
than in January, 1920, according to
reports published by the United
States Department of Labor as a
result of a nation-wide survey. This
estimate applies only to "industry."
Michigan reports the largest out
of-work army with a reduction of
82 per cent in employment over last
year. Ohio and Indiana follow with
50 per cent reduction, Illinois is
next with 44 per cent reduction, Con
necticut with 43 per cent reduction,
Massachusetts 38 per cent, New
York 28 per cent, Wisconcin 32 per
cent and New Jersey 22 per cent.
The largest number of unemployed
is in the automobile industry, which
reports 69 per cent unemployed over
a year ago. This industry employs
THE FEDERATION
BULLETIN
Labor Loses In Scandinavian
American Bank Failure
At Tacoma
The Scandinavian-American bank
at Tacoma failed a week ago and
tied up the funds of practically
every labor union in the city of
Tacoma. Deposits ranging up to
several thousand dollars in some
cases have been completely tied up
and a great deal of confusion has
been created as a result.
A plan is being worked out and
will be presented to a committee of
the depositors for the reorganiza
tion of the bank in such a way as to
fully protect the interests of the
depositors and provide a means for
completing the new bank building at
Eleventh and Pacific avenue.
It seems evident that a great deal
of questionable methods have been
employed by eel tain interests to in
jure the bank. Ole Larson, its pres
ident, has been for many years one'
of labor's best friends in the city,
and despite all pressure brought to
bear from anti-labor forces 4he
building was being completed on an
entirely closed shop union basis.
Labor is finally coming to see
that not only is it not securing all
that its money can earn in financial
institutions, but that its deposits are
not as thoroughly safeguarded as
could be made the case were labor
actively participating in the direc
tion and management of these in
stitutions. This idea is finally tak
ing root throughout the general la
bor movement and banks have al
ready been successfully established
in different sections of the coun
try, principally at Cleveland, Ohio,
where the National Union of Kail
way Engineers have built and
launched a national bank of their
own.' There is more than enough
trades union money on deposit in
the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and
Spokane to successfully operate
banks of their own. A number of
leading trades unionists of the state
have been working out plans in
recent months for the carrying into
effect of this valuable and now
necessary plan in the interests of
labor and the* producers generally.
BRIEF NOTES
Secretary Buck, of the Federation,
has been confined to his home slight
ly "under the weather" for several
days.
Fred B. Norman, of Raymond, for
mer chairman of the labor commit
tee in the House, is still at Olympia
co-operating with President Short as
legislative agent. He made a very
t'ble talk in opposition to the code
at the public hearing held last week,
Tuesday, and is rendering exceed
ingly valuable service day and night
during the sessions in the interests
of the labor movement of our state.
Court Reverses
Landis Decision
In Berger's Case
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—Convic
tion of Victor L. Berger and four
Others, members of the socialist par
El}? lEabor Journal
unions like wild horses on the
prairies, who are forced to form a
circle, with heads in and heels out,
to protect themselves from the
wolves.
When wage-earners had no voice
in working Conditions they were
ground down as are the steel trust's
11 anil 18-hour serfs in 1921.
If individual bargaining means
justice to the workers, why must it
be protected by spies, gunmen and
che injunction judge.
Why does it succumb to trade
nionism when workers are per
nitted free choice?
Workers unite because of neces
sity.
ihey unite when they find that
fairy tales, broken promises, injus
tice and deceit arc poor substitutes
for economic need.
The employer who talks of indi
vidual bargaining has had his day
in court. He had indiviudal bargain
ing and his employes were com
pelled to organize.
He feudalized his employes once,
now he wants to feudalize them
again. ,
Does he imagine that workers for
get when he talks of the "glories" of
individual bargaining?
"A burnt child dreads the fire."
Agitate! Educate! Organize!—
American Federation of Labor News
Letter.
about 8 per cent of the total num
ber employed in all industry. Sec
ond in rank in unemployment is the
building trades with about 52 per
cent reduction. In January, 1920,
the building trades employed about
11 per cent of the total number em
ployed in industry.
Textiles report a per cent
reduction in unemployment over last
year; leather and boots and shoes,
35 per cent reduction; lumber and
wood products, 32 per cent; meats,
machinery and electric goods, 30Vz
per cent; clay, glass, cement and
stone products, 19 per cent; pack
ing and food products, 19 per cent.
This report should indicate why
organized labor is urging Congress
to prohibit immigration for two
years.
ty, for violation of the espionage
act, was reversed today by the su
preme court on -the ground that
Judge Landis should not have heard
.he suit after his eligibility had been
attacked.
Those convicted with Berger in
the federal court at Chicago were:
Adolph Germer, national secretary
of the party; William F. Kruse, edi
tor of the Young Socialists maga
zine; J. Louis Engdahl and Irwin S.
John Tucker.
Berger and the other four were
convicted under the section prohibit
ing attempts to cause insubordina
tion and disloyalty in the naval and
military forces. Sentences of from
10 to 20 years' imprisonment were
imposed.
The appeal was brought to the
supreme court on the ground that
Judge Landis had shown "personal
bias and prejudice" against the de
fendants because of their national
ity.
The court divided 6 to 3, Justices
Day, Pitney and Mcßeynolds dis
senting.
Mr. Mcßeynolds added to the dis
senting opinion a strong approba
tion of Judge Landis' sentiments as
merely showing his detestation of
the "Hunnish warfare which was
beinp backed by compatriots in
America."
Seattle to Vote on
Municipal Ry. Tax
Councilman Oliver T. Eriekson's
bill for payment of the maintenance
anil operation cost of the Seattle
municipal street railway by an an
nual levy of taxes will be submitted
to a public vote as soon as a suffi
cient number of signatures can be
obtained for it as an initiative meas
ure, according to announcement of
the new Public Ownership League
last Monday.
Following its formation last week
and its indorsement of the Erickson
plan, the league commenced the cir
culation of petitions in the hope of
having the bill placed before the
people early this summer, if names
could not be secured soon enough
to I lace it on the March election
ballot.
The city charter provides that if
the number of signatures is not over
20 per cent nor under 10 per cent
of the number of votes cast for
mayor in the preceding election, the
ordinance must be submitted at the
first subsequent election. However,
if the number of signatures exceeds
20 per per cent, the council must
order a special election within 20
days.
The city's contract with Stone-
Webster would be carried out under
the Erickson plan in that the line's
bonded indebtedness would be paid
out of the gross earnings of the
system. Current expenses would be
lefrayed from proceeds of the gen
ual taxes. This would gradually
• educe fares to 2Vi to 3 cents, Erick
son explain! in his proposition,
vhich includes complete financial
estimates. When the debt is paid,
he poitl out, free car rides would be
available.
Smoke CHALLENGE 10v Cigar.
King Louis admits, according to
state senators, that his administra
tive code will not reduce taxes, but
will cheapen the expensce to people
having business in Olympia with the
state offices.
PALMER GETS A
CALL DOWN BY
ABLE LAWYERS
Washington, Feb. 2—At least 10,
--000, and possibly twice that number,
was the estimate placed upon the
''bag" of aliens and citizens illegally
arrested in Palmer's "red raids" from
December, 1919, to April, 1920, by
Attorney Charles T. Clayton, testi
fying yesterday before the senate
judiciary committee,
Clayton went over the papers in
hundreds of these cases, and for
merly handled immigration cases in
he department of labor. He found
hat of 6,850 warrants issued during
his raiding period, only about 3,000
>f the persons named were ever ap
prehended.
Reports from immigration inspec
tors in some cases showed that they
lad held their prisoners a day with
>ut food, and some of them were
held as long as 57 days incommuni
cado. The only case against many
prisoners was an unsigned, unsworn
yi ewritten memorandum of charges
which might be applied wholesale.
A statement laid before the com
mittee by Judson King, secretary
if the National Popular Govern
nent League, conducting the case
igainst Palmer, from Dr. Harlan F.
■>tone, dean of Columbia University
Law School, upheld the committee
if 12 lawyers and law school deans
vho have denounced Palmer's pract
ices as lawless and subversive of
(institutional liberty for citizens
md aliens alike.
Palmer Riddled
By Judson King, Executive Secre
tary, National Popular Govern
ment League, 637 Munsey Build
ing, Washington, D. C.
A hot fight has developed before
he Senate Judiciary Gommittee over
he "Report upon the Illegal Prac
ices of the Department of Justice,"
nade by twelve eminent lawyers
ast summer and made public by the
National Popular Government League.
This same twelve, among whom are
")ean Pound, of the Harvard Law
School, Dean Williams, of the St.
Louis Law School, Frank P. Walsh,
>f New York, Jackson H. Ralston,
>f Washington, and Professors
frankfurter and Chafee, of Havard,
lave recently filed a brief with the
ludieiary Committee claiming that
'aimer in his answer to their charges
■as sidestepped a mass of evidence
ufficient to convict him of overrid
ng the Constitution, introducing the
iracticea of European tyranny in
America, and starting a bad public
tolicy.
The brief claims that not only
tliens but a large number of Amer
can citizens were illegally arrested
;nd persecuted by Palmer's agents
md spies in his raids, and warns the
ountry that these precedents must
iot be allowed to stand.
They tell Congress in effect that
f it keeps silent it will sanction
hese illegal acts; therefore the
ommittee and the National Popu
ar Government League, publishing
heir report, demand that Congress
it once investigate Palmer, and fur
her, that they pass a law which will
nake more easy the punishment of
my attorney general, secret service
'gent, spy, or officer of the gov
rnment who in the future invades
he civil rights of citizens. Aliens
vithin the country, they claim, are
indeniably protected by the Consti
ution, and Palmer's contention that
hey are not is an attempt to over
urn a long established principle of
Vmerican constitutional law and
cads directly to tyranny.
Several of these lawyers appeared
before the Senate Judiciary Commit
ee last Tuesday and refute Palmer's
; nterpretation of law as against de
dsions of the U. S. Supreme Court.
Unemployed Relief
Report
Bro. F. E. Craig makes the fol
owing report of the moneys and
>rovisions received and distributed
ijy him for aid to the unemployed
ip to Wednesday noon, February 2:
Cash, $177.10; disbursed, $171.80,
'caving a balance of $5.30. ■
Received from farmers, 128 sacks
>f potatoes and other vegetables;
listributed, 116 sacks; 12 sacks on
'land.
Relief was given to 37 families.
Mr. Deering's dances have netted
n six weeks and turned over to Bro.
Craig the sum of $114.30.
Dies At Age of 104;
Saw Lincoln Killed
VANCOUVER, Wash., Feb. 1. —
Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret
McLaughlin, who died Friday at her
home on Fifth Plain at the age of
104, were held yesterday from St.
lames church, Rev. Father Sweens
officiating. Interment was in the
Catholic cemetery beside the body of
her husband, the late Michael Mc-
Laughlin.
Mrs. McLaughlin had lived at
her home on Fifth Plain for the
past 40 years, coming west imme
diately after the Civil war from the
Atlantic Coast. For many years she
was celebrated locally as being
imong the "few now living who were
in the audience at the theatre the
evening President Lincoln was as
sassinated. She was an eye-witness
>f this affair.
She is survived by one son, Mike
McLaughlin, who lives at Fifth
Plain.
KING COUNTY
FARMER-LABOR
HEADQUARTERS
The King County Farmer-Labor
Party headquarters have been moved
from the Triangle Building and the
Labor Temple to rooms on the third
floor of the Union Record Building,
1915 First Avenue, Seattle.
EVERETT, WASHINGTON. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, 4, L 921
THE CENTRAL
LABOR COUNCIL
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1921.
Vice-President rortson called the
meeting to order at 8 p. ni.
Credentials were presented by C.
E. Goldthorpe of the Theatrical
Stage Employes and .Moving Picture
Operators; Frank BriggS and Fred
Stone of the Railway Car Men. The
credentials were accepted and the
delegates seated.
On request of the Building Trades
Council and Plumbers' Union, Mr.
Plamback was placed on the unfair
list.
A motion was adopted instructing
the secretary to write to the Sno
homish county representatives and
senators demanding that they vote
against the bill providing for con
solidation of the industrial depart
ments framed on the recommenda
tions of the industrial code commis
sion.
A plan for safety campaign in Se
attle was received from the Seattle
lentral Labor Council. Among other
hings the plan provides for the
diminution of carelessness. Referred
o a committee comprising Dele
ates Riggins, Wefferling and
Locke.
Committee Reports.
The Workers' College reported an
•.ttendance of about 150 last. Thurs
day night. On next Thursday night
he subject taken up will be "Mod
rn Day Economics."
The committee appointed on ar
angements for the St. John Tucker
scture reported that all was in read
aess.
Bro. P. E. Craig reported that he
ad received $177.10 in cash and
lad disbursed $171.80, leaving a
alance of $5.30, for the relief of the
nemployed. He received from farm
is 128 sacks of potatoes and other
egetables and had distributed 116
icks, leaving 12 sacks on hand,
here was received from Mr. Deer
lg's dances $114.30 in six weeks,
'he secretary was instructed to
rite a letter to Mr. Deering ex
ressing the Council's appreciation
f his generosity.
The Irish committee reported prog
88S and was continued.
The committee on the Farrell meat
tarket was given further time.
Reports by Unions.
The Butchers reported a good
aeeting and that they would hold
special to assess their members
1 per capita for the benefit of their
>wn unemployed.
The Structural Iron Workers re
orted that there is no work in their
ne at present.
The Printers had a large attend
nce at which was considered the
ob scale.
The Teamsters had a good meet
ig and donated $3.45 cents for pay
ment of labor jury.
The Railway Car Men had a good
teeting. They listened to a report
■y Bro. Percy Tyler who had re
urned from St. Paul where he at
ended the meeting of the gievance
ommittee of the Great Northern
ystem. The Great Northern "bunch"
s the only one which has stood pat
>n wages and working conditions.
Chis report brought forth a discus
ion which gave the Council some
seful information.
The Building Laborers reported
laving a little trouble with one of
heir members who was charged
vith scabbing on the job. His fail
re to attend a meeting held to con
ider his case resulted in the union
ssessing a fine of $25 against him.
The Auto Drivers reported a good
neeting and that their members
vere still driving.
A motion was passed instructing
he legislative committee to draft
esolutions covering the subject of
ugh rents.
A current report that the Laun
lry Workers were forced against
heir will to accept lower wages was
lenied. They agreed to accept 50
ler cent of the net earnings of the
•ompany until the latter had got
en over past embarrassing troubles.
The Council adjourned.
SEATTLE PORT
WINNER OVER
0.-W.-R. & N. Ry.
Supreme Court Upholds Act
Legislature in Conferring
Title.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31. — The
port of Seattle won its fight in the
.supreme court today for title to
valuable waterway rights in Se
attle harbor.
Lower court decrees upholding the
claims of railroads having terminals
on the harbor to riparian rights
through ownership of land adjacent
to the improved harbor, were re
versed, higher court holding that no
such rights existed under Washing
ton state laws.
The area in dispute was described
is being "within the boundaries of
the east waterway in the harbor of
Seattle and lying between the west
boundary and the United States
government pier headline in the wa
terway."
SEATTLE, Jan. 31.—The decision
of the United States supreme court,
announced today, tn the Seattle wa
terway case, sustains the act of the
1913 state legislature in granting
title to the Seattle port commission
to waterway areas between the
property line of upland owners and
the pier head line on the east and
west waterways in Seattle harbor.
The Oregon-Washington Railroad
■ft Navigation company refused to
admit the port commission's title
to the land, and refused to pay
rental on waterway area, it was us
ing abutting on its upland holdings
on the east waterway. Three years
ago the case went to the United
States district' court here, the lower
court deciding against the conten
tion of the commission. The appeal
to the supreme court was argued
December 6, 1920.
DEVISING WAYS
AND MEANS FOR
IRISH RELIEF
Appalled and grieved at the con
ditions existing in Ireland the liber
ty-loving people of America have
formed an organization to raise
funds for the relief of the suffer
ings of the Irish people, particularly
uf women and children,
The organisation had its inception
in New York City and is now
s] reading to all the states and cities
of the union. The organization is
itl'ictly non-sectarian, non-political
md non-racial and is formed for re
lief of the sufferings of a people
who are victims of a state of "un
civilized" war.
The Irish, like ourselves in Amer
ica, believe in self-government and
lave been endeavoring to impress
ipon the British government the
righteousness of the principle of
self-determination.
For this they have lost many lives
md are driven out to exist as do
he beasts of the field — without
shelter or clothing sufficient to pro
ject them from the rigors of winter.
Very many of the people of Ire
land are as much in need of help as
vere and are the Belgians and Serbs.
The relief clubs ask only that the
lame consideration be given to the
sufferers in Ireland as is given by
>ur countrymen to the sufferers of
ithor nations.
The relief has been organized na
ionally and is being extended to
states and countries. Mr. Piggott.
if Seattle, has been made the bead
if the relief clubs in Washington,
md Mr. John B. Fogarty has been
ippointed to a like position in this
■ounty.
Last Tuesday evening the Snoho
nish County Club held its initial
neeting and appointed the follow
ng committee to devise ways and
neana of raising funds for the pur
>ose stated:
.1. 15. Fogarty, chairman; P. ,1.
tforrissey, P. J. Moran, P. J. John
ton, J. P. Foley, J. A. Hartney of
3tanwood and J. B. McCann.
Chairmen will be appointed for all
he towns in the county.
Due notice will be given of the
text meeting of the club, at which
meeting the plan of campaign agreed
ipon will be announced and pub
ished.
HOW DUSTY IS
YOUR PLANT?
All industrial plants are dusty.
3ut how dusty is the air in any par
icular plant? Knowledge as to the
legree and composition of such dust
s important, for certain amounts
md sorts of air dust seriously af
fect the lungs and predispose those
vho breathe them to tuberculosis
md other diseases.
Dr. O. M. Spencer, of the United
states Public Health Service, dis
misses the matter in a recent report
>f the service. He shows that
leither the fact that the exhaust
lipes, etc., required by law appear
o be properly functioning nor the
lse of wet instead of dry processes
n grinding, polishing, and the like
nake it at all certain that the dusti
tess in a given plant is what it
should theoretically he. He finds
hat many exhaust pipes do not in
fact exhaust as they are supposed
o do; and that under certain con
litions some wet processes create
nuch more dust than dry ones. Only
ictual "dust counts" at the plant
f the work show the real dustiness
if the air that the workman must
'ireathe; and such counts should be
made periodically to check the the
uetical conditions.
To determine how unhoalthful the
lustiness of any particular plant
process may be, the composition of
its dust should be ascertained and
its effects interpreted by standard
"ables, which Dr. Spencer urges
should be worked out for the various
industries. Different industrial proc
esses produce dusts which differ
rreatly in injurious properties.
Health Hazards in Lumbering Regions
Health problems in lumbering re
dons are being investigated by the
United States Public Health Service
is part of a general study into oc
cupational diseases and industrial
hygiene undertaken in Florida at
the request of the state board of
health. The work has not yet gone
far enough to permit important de
ductions to be drawn; but it seems
to show that the problems are not
essentially different from those ob
taining in other lumbering districts
if the south and, indeed, in other
Darts of the country, except in that
they show a high incidence of ma
'aria and hookworm diseases. The
•esults should be generally interest
ing.
Dr. J. A. Turner, of the public
health service, who was sent to
Florida with instructions to ascer
tain the special needs of the work
■rs and to make recommendations to
the state board of health as to the
best ways of meeting them, has first
aken up the lumbering industre and
has, found that this involves two
sorts of problems, the first pertain
ing to the actual working conditions,
and the second to the reactions of
'h»» more or less transitory lumber
ing population and of the permanent
residents on each other.
Study of working conditions in
volves investigation of processes of
nroduction, medical anil surgical
care, sanitation of camps, and food
supply; and study of reactions in
cludes investigations into the eco
nomic conditions of the residents,
prevalence of transmissible diseases,
mtlaria. and venereal infection and
possibilities of soil pollution.
The object of the work is, of
course, to reduce sickness, accidents,
absenteeism, and labor turnover; and
thereby to obtain increased efficiency
and greater economic prosperity for
both workers and employers.
Smoke OLYMPIC 10c Cigar.
CHURCH ALONE STANDS WITH LABOR
AGAINST THE BENCH, BAR AND PRESS
Washington, .lan. 29.—"The so
called 'open' shop is supported by
the bench, the bar, politicians and
practically all of the daily news
papers, but it Is significant that the
greatest moral force in the country
stands with labor on this question,
writes Frank Morrison, secretary of
the A. F. of L., to a Philadelphia
newspaper.
"The theory of big business is re
jected by the church," says the trade
unionist. "The representatives of the
church, regardless of creed, de
nounce the so-called 'open' shop and
declare it is an attempt to 'rush
organized labor. The commission
on church and social service of the
Council of churches of Christ in Am
erica, re] resenting ,'il Protestant de
nominations with a membership of
18,620,186 in 142,000 churches, has
taken this position, and the National
Catholic Welfare Council, composed
of representative bishops of that
church, declare that the 'open' shop
is a mask for non-unionism and is
not only a menace to wage-earners,
but threatens the whole structure of
industrial peace.
"These church men have probed
the 'open' shop. They have treated
.his subject from the standpoint ol
principle rather than terms. They
find that the 'open' shop is non-
"KING LOUIS"
CODE WINS OUT
The Civil Administrative Code
| assed the Senate Monday afternoon.
riving to Governor Louis F. Hart
more autocratic powei than was
ever held by any chief executive of
his or any other state in the Amer
ican union. Frank Walklin, special
correspondent of the Union Record,
tells the story with its steam roller
embelishments:
Olympia, Jan. 31. —Governor Hart's
Civil Administrative Code late today
passed the Senate with but three
dissenting votes, O'Harra, Ryan and
Landon answering "nay" on roll call.
The only admendments placed in
he code related to the state educa
tional institutions. These are ex
smpted from coming under the "se
•rct police" of Governor Hart, and
will not be subject to investigation
for the purpose of fixing salaries or
■lassifying jobs.
Also an amendment took away
from the department of business
control power of drawing plans for
buildings and mapping out building
programs for state educational in
stitutions.
These amendments went
through w-ithout a dissenting
vote, and from that moment the
steam roller came into play.
W. Lon Johnson of Spokane coun
ty, moved that not more than one
nember of the fisheries board should
! >e engaged in the fishing industry
or any of its allied industries.
Johnson said that at this time
here were more than 3.000,000 cases
if salmon in Seattle in storage and
hat in case the three members of
he boatd were cannery men they
night use their jobs to manipulate
he market, but added that any pro
test he might make at this time
was useless.
His amendment was defeated.
Rockwell of King moved an amend
rent to make the two supervisors
inder the director of public works
ippointeea of the governor instead
if appointees of the director. He
stated that this would make the de
partment absolutely under the gov
srnor. Morthland of Lincoln took
he stand saying that under the
present plan the two supervisors
were merely men to whom the gov
ernment might pass the buck in case
>f controversy. The amendment was
lost.
Sinclair of Pacific county of
fered an amendment to the fish
eries section whereby it would
be obligatory on the fishing
board to give <>0 days' notice be
fore rules governing the sea
sons should go into effect.
Under the present section. Sin
lair said, the fishermen would get
heir tackle and equipment ready
tnd then find the fishing board had
•losed their business. Sinclair show
>d his idea was to protect the bank
ers, for he added that men in loan
ng money on this industry would
face possible heavy loss, and that a
Sanker who failed either went to
hades or to jail, and he didn't pro
nose to do either through his bank
becoming so involved.
The amendment was lost, 30 to 10.
Sinclair then moved the previous
If.estion, which meant the bill
should go before the Senate on its
merits. A roll call was demanded,
tnd the vote was 21 to 18 against
trdering the "previous question."
Morthland then sought to get
in an amendment which would
refuse permission to the admin
istrative board to authorize defi
cits. This too was lost.
Johnson then moved to strike the
last section, covering the emer
gency clause.
Groff of Spokane then moved that
he Johnson amendment be laid upon
•he table, "hut that it do not take
the bill with it.'
This shut off all debate on the
■mei-gency clause. Johnson's aniend
nent was tabled, 27 to 13.
Senator Ryan, Tacoma, of
fered an amendment to strike
section 74, relating to the de
partment of industry, and to
substitute a section giving labor
joint control.
Metcalf then read letters purport
ing to be from Samuel tionipers, W.
B. Wilson, secretary of Labor; Her
bert Hoover and others, in which the
labor section was given sanction.
O'Haia then read a telegram from
'he Brotherhood of Locomotive En
rineers and Firemen, protesting
igninst the code.
Lon Johnson arose and said he was
for the hill, but still believed it
should be amended. He stated the
bill would 00 through and he held
PUBLISHED IN
THE INTEREST OF
ORGANIZED LABOR
union, both in practice and intent.
"The keystone of trade Unionism
is collective bargaining through rep
resentatives of the workers' (boos,
ing. The 'open' shopper demands
that each individual worker treat
with employers.
" I'o state this case would seem
sufficient to prove the ineffective
ness of individual bargaining in an
age of gigantic corporations whose
owners never see the plant, do not
even know where it is located, and
are only interested in dividends.
"Stripped of its pretense) the
'open' shop is anti-union because it
denies workers the very thing that
forces them to unite. The fact that
trade unionism exists is proof that
individual bargaining has failed.
Workers join trade unions because
economic necessity fortes them to
unite. When they fail as individuals
to secure justice, they unite with
their fellows. Our opponents refuse
to recognise this fact.
"The 'open' shop agitation will
run its course. Organized Workers
are too well acquainted with his-
lory, with anti-conspiracy laws and
other attempts to stop organization,
to be discouraged at this late-day
antagonism that is based on such
self-evident deceit."
lup in the House.
i Johnson insisted a substitute bill
I was being written to take its place.
The motion was lost, but not un
til after O'Hara had declared the
letters quoted by Metcalf were not
accurately quoted and that they were
secured by snap judgment.
"I want to show where this
code is against the constitution
of the state," said O'Hara. "I
have looked for opinions from
the lawyers here. They always
have been anxious to enlighten
us on constitutional points
heretofore, but now I see this
legal fraternity is silent.
"When I heard there was going
!o be an administrative code. I was
for it, but that thing (pointing to
McArdle's chart of the code), is the
best political machine ever drafted
and shown to any legislature in the
United States. It is a golden char
lot, but I don't know where it is
going or who is going to ride in it.
"You are putting a crown on the
head of the state government. A
man whose every whim would be
felt by us all. The iramers of our
constitution planned it so this would
never be a monarchy. You are
iloing things that men have been
thrown into jail for suggesting. You
are grooming a candidate for king
of the United States.
"This code is absolutely uncon
stitutional," continued O'Hara, as
he read quotations from various
courts to substantiate his claim.
TAX-DODGING
MILLIONAIRES
The year lit 18 was the banner
year in the United States for the
production of millionaires. That was
the year of big war contracts, of
the Hog Island deal, of the sale
and lease of camp sites, of the
creation of new towns through war
industries, and of similar transac
tions. Yet, in spite of this fact,
income tax returns for 1018 show
that there were 5,248 fewer persons
paying on a millionaire's income
than in the previous year. How
did this happen? The New York
Times explains as follows in its is
sue of November 21:
"Millionaires know how to pay
their taxes in strict accordance to
the law, and in such manner that
they do not pay too much in pun
ishment for their wealth according
to lawful standards. By putting
their money in exempt securities
provided for the purpose they keep
their income intact, but also divert
their wealth from more remuner
ative investments."
In other words, the income tax
law bears lightly on millionaires,
although supposed to bear heavily
upon them. There is nothing sur
prising about this. All efforts to
levy taxes according to ability to
pay must turn out that way. One
would think that for that reason
alone legislators and people should
long ago have decided to follow
some other rule. More millionaires
would be reached by abandoning the
income tax and similar taxes and
! levying all taxation on land values.
That would reach the unearned in
come at its source. The millionaire
might invest in stocks, bonds or
other securities, but these have no
value except what is given them by
j the property which they represent.
!In most cases this property is land.
1 and by taxing the value of this land,
the securities based upon it will be
taxed. Such a tax cannot be evad
ed or shifted. That this is known
to millionaire taxdodgers is clear
enough from the opposition of the
papers they control to single tax
measures wherever proposed. When
it comes to a choice between the in
come tax and a land value tax the
recipient of unearned incomes who
wants his privilege to continue is
sure to prefer the former. He knows
which one he can evade.
Everett Trades
Building Ass'n.
Notice of Stockholders Mooting.
A called meeting of the Stockhold
ers of the Everett Trades Building
Association will be held Saturday,
February 12. 1921, at 7 P. M. in the
Labor Temple.
Business of importance to come
up.
WM DAVIS,
Secretary-Treasurer.
■mirlti BLUE KIHBON b Ckfnr,
Number 41.