Washington Moves to Ban Picketing
A legislative act aims to criminalize labor picketing, targeting those who stand near businesses during strikes or disputes.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
AN ACT defining picketing, prohibiting the same, and providing a penalty for the violation thereof. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. Whoever shall, for the purpose of carrying on, calling attention to, or advertising, directly or indirectly, any controversy, disagreement or dispute between any labor union or organization, or member or members thereof, and any person engaged in any lawful business, or his employe, or for the purpose of hindering or preventing such person from conducting his business in any lawful way, or employing or retaining in his employ any person who may lawfully engage in such business. (1) Stand or continuously move back and forth, on the sidewalk, street, public place or private property, in front of or within five hundred feet of, any place in which any lawful business is conducted.
“Whoever shall... stand or continuously move back and forth... in front of or within five hundred feet of, any place in which any lawful business is conducted.”
This 1915 legislation reflects the intense historical struggle over labor rights in Washington. The battle over the legality of picketing continues to resonate today as current labor movements navigate complex laws regarding public protest and workplace organizing.
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