Labor’s Olympia Push: A Fight Over What an Injured Worker’s Life Is Worth

(Special Federation Bulletin.)

SEATTLE, Jan. 17.—The state legislature was in session all of last week, and while the legislative agent of the federation was confined to his home due to a severe attack of grippe, nevertheless prior preparations made brought some of labor’s plans to the forefront during the early days of the legislative session.

In a recent conference held between Governor Hart and the president of the State Federation of Labor several important questions were discussed, and in the governor’s address delivered on the third day of the session it was recommended that the legislature memorialize congress to enact an adequate child labor law; also that the legislature revise upwards the awards under the state workmen’s compensation law; and the declaration made on behalf of the state administration that they were opposed to the manufacture of any commodities at the state prison that could possibly enter the open market in competition with the products of free labor. These three measures constituted an important part of the governor’s message to the legislature and cover three of the important planks laid down in the State Federation of Labor’s legislative program.

The question of increasing the awards under the workmen’s compensation law bids fair to become the biggest issue before the state legislature with labor marshalling its forces for an effective fight on behalf of the widows and orphans and the maimed and injured workmen of the state. The Federated Industries of the state, which takes the place of the former employers’ association, held a meeting in the Frye hotel at Seattle last week and selected a large lobby of employers to go to Olympia to combat any attempt to increase in any way the awards for injured workmen or widows and children. The employers’ lobby includes some of the notorious labor haters in the state, among whom are J. C. H. Reynolds of Spokane, and many others of a like character.

The proponents for substantial increases in all awards under the law have many friends in both houses, and a bitter fight is in prospect with the odds favoring the labor and liberal forces.

A large number of labor measures, including the bill for providing a mine examining board, an anti-injunction bill, the eight-hour kitchen measure, and the measure aiming to abolish night work in bakeries, may all be introduced during the next week or ten days. Before the legislature adjourns the entire legislative program of the State Federation of Labor will be submitted to the legislature.

The president of the State Federation has recovered from his illness, and is on the job this week at Olympia, heading the labor lobby and organizing the forces on behalf of labor’s interests.