Labor’s Legislative Hopes Fade as House Committee Buries Key Bills

SEATTLE, Feb. 8.—Hopes for the enactment of remedial labor and progressive measures are growing dimmer. Up to date not a single measure of importance to the general welfare of the state has passed both houses, excepting the anti-narcotic bill, which passed the lower house but is being held up in the Senate.

The barbers’ compensation bill will be reported out this week and stands a reasonable chance of passage.

The labor committee of the House has reported out the eight-hour bill for the lumber industry with a recommendation that it do not pass. This will mean its defeat.

The committee has also reported out the State Federation’s bill compelling contractors working for the state to pay the prevailing scale of wages for all work done by them in the closest industrial center. Their recommendation is that it do not pass. However, a promise for a further hearing on the measure has been obtained and the report of the committee has been held up meanwhile.

Industrial Insurance.

Both these measures were acted on by the committee without labor’s representatives being given a hearing, although they had appeared before the committee and asked if any labor measures would come before the committee, and were told they would not. A number of anti-labor employers are on the labor committee, although several of its members are outspoken in their support of labor measures.

The daylight kitchen bill was given a hearing last week-end, but the committee divided 4 to 4 on the measure and no recommendation was made. A rehearing by the committee will be held, when it is hoped to obtain a favorable report for the measure.

The industrial insurance committee of the House has not yet met to consider any of the measures provided.