Ir aU H E D i
______ ____
P ortland L abor P ress
Volume XI.
Number 44
J’
Portland, Oregon, January 18, 1912
Whole Number 624
•
President Daly Makes Interesting, Comprehensive Report to State Federation Convention
though the densest intellect can discern of idle people or start soup k-'chcns as a ness an«l injuries, that the employees Department of Commerce and Labor is
shall have equal voice in tht* election of submitted to this convention and com-
that
the primal cause of the Los Angeles relief measure.
To the Delegates of the Dreg >n State Fed­
This method of deception 01
rking officers of hospital department and dis­ meiuied to give you for your most earnest
dynamiting
and
the
great
loss
of
life
eration of Labor. Ninth Annual Con-,
therein is definitely chargeable to the an­ people has been resorted to at times in bursing funds; that the reserve fund shall consideration, also a proposed bill to
vention—Fellow Workers:
archistic sentiments expressed by that different localities throughout the United never exceed a detine«! per capita, and sur­ provide security for laborers and the
1 herewith submit my annual report as I publication and its editor.
States. It has rendered more working­ plus shall be reduced by reduction in as­ traveling public :
Department of Commerce and Labor,
President of this Federation, together with
men
homeless and penniless than any sessment or contributions.
In diagnosing disease, and crime is a
Immigration Service.
suggestions.
At
the
last
session
of
Congress
an
'other
agency.
In
view
of
the
criminal
disease, the experienced physician first en­
The year 1911, from the standpoint of deavors to locate and remove the cause, nature of this practice I believe this con­ amendment extending the provisions of Office of Immigration Inspector (Sec. 24)
Moscow, Idaho.
organization, has been a banner year in knowing full well that the cause removed, vention should submit a most drastic law the federal eight-hour law to contractors
the history of this Federation. The ros­ nature will prove a powerful help in cur­ which will prescribe a penalty for such, and sub-contractors was passed by the Officers and Members of Oregon. State
Federation of Labor.
lower House. The passage of this law
ter will show not only a considerable num­ ing the ill. But what newspaper through­ crimes against the human family.
Portland, Oregon.
shows
the
trend
of
public
opinion
to
be
ber of new organizations formed through­ out the land has ever suggested the pos­
Convict Labor.
Gentlemen : The Immigration Act of
in favor of the est "blishment of eight
out the state, but the affiliattsl locals of sible propriety of investigating the cru­
The year 1911 marked the passing of hours as the basis for a «lav’s work an«l February 20, 1907, contains the following
this Federation is far greater than ever sade of the Times and its editor against
the
convict contract labor system in this does much to forward one of the cardinal provisions :
before in its history. There have been the trades-union. Union men have been
several labor controversies «luring the villified, their wives and children declared State. The stove foundry contract has principals «if our organization. I recoin-, Section 2: That the following classes
of aliens shall be excluded from admis­
year, and in the great majority the wage to be wantons, the very act of organiza­ been terminated, and the Governor has mend that all the power at our command ! sion
into the United States: All idiots,
demonstrated
his
resourcefulness
in
pro­
b
«
*
brought
to
bear
upon
our
representa­
earners have been successful in securing tion itself declared to be criminal by this
imbeciles,
feeble-minded persons, epilep­
viding
labor
for
the
convicts.
Governor
tives
in
the
Senate
to
the
end
that
this
either increase in wages or shorter hours, publication, and still no great newspaper West deserves the everlasting gratitude
tics, insane persons, and persons who
bill
may
pass
the
Senate,
be
signed
by
the
and sometimes both. Never have we had has-been able to find this festering sore. of the working people for his conscientious
have been jn«ane within five years prev­
such perfect co-operation between the dif­
The crime of the McNamaras is not con­ effort to solve the problem of convicts President an«l become a law. That the ious; person who have had two or more
enactment
of
this
law
will
have
a
gootl
feren t erafts as now. Jurisdictional dis­ doned, but under great provocation even competing with free labor.
moral effect upon State Legislatures, attacks of insanity at any time previous­
putes have been almost unknown and the rational men have committed violence, and
During the year a Convict Labor Com­ county commissioners and city councils ly; paupers; persons likely to become a
harmony of effort has been most notice­ since there arc irrational men and violent mittee was appointed by the Governor of
public charge; professional beggars; per­
men in every class of society, it is remark­ which your president was m ade a member is beyond dispute. The passage of this sons afflicted with tuberculosis or with u
able.
bill
by
the
House
of
Kcpresentativ«
s
was
able that some deluded, misguided, over- and elected as its secretary. This com­
The McNamaras.
largely due to the activities of the fifteen loathsome or dangerous contagious dis­
Mv last report to this Federation dwelt zealous individual had not resorted to vio­ mittee has not done a great deal of defi­ representatives who hold union curds, ease ; persons not comprehended within
any of the foregoing excluded classes who
nite work other than compiling data up
at some length on the horrible disaster lent acts ere this.
Let us hope there will be no more Mc­ to the present time, but has given most and emphasizes the fact that the election are found to be and are certified by the
in which the Los Angeles Times building
of
our
members
to
this
and
similar
posi­
was destroyed and more than a score of Namaras, no more Otises, one the effect, enthusiastic and earnest support to the tions makes the establishment of the examining surgeon as being mentally or
Governor in his efforts in this direction. great economic principles underlviqg our physically defective, such mental or phy­
human lives snuffed out. In that report the other the cause.
On the whole, let us be thankful to Mc­
sical defect being of a nature which may
I cannot pass this subject without call­
I exo^essed the horror felt by the trades-
Namara for his confession. Had his lips ing the attention of the Federation to the organization more easily accomplished.
affect the ability of such alien to earn u
union movement at the then supposed ac­ remained
I
recommend
that
this
Federation
en­
closed and he executed for this great work the Governor has done in his
living; persons who have been convicted
cidental explosion. From the character
deavor
to
secure
the
adoption
of
an
so firm were the unionists in their inauguration of the parole or “ honor
of the Times in its villifving campaign crime,
amendment the present IB-hour law for of or admit having committed a felony or
against trades-unions, and the vindictive belief of his innocence, the great chasm i t ; system’’ among the convicts. The chief women, limiting the hours of labor for other crime or misdemeanor involving
have opened between capital and ] executive of Oregon is a pioneer in this
moral turpitude; polygamists, or persons
attitude of its editor, who openly and bra­ would
labor
and
its possible consequences we are line of endeavor and the splendid results women to eight hours per day and 48 who admit their belief in the practice of
zenly boasted that his mission in life and loath to anticipate.
hours
per
week.
In
this
connection
I
The press has blat­
the mission of the Times was the annihila­ antly pointed out the effect. Will it now thus early realized have attract«*«! the at­ would call your attention to the fact that polygamy; anarchists, or persons who be­
tention of the entire country. Certainly two Northwest States, Washington and lieve in or advocate the overthrow by
tion of the labor movement, fiom the atti­
it required a man of more than ordinary California, have already established the force or violence of the Government of
tude of bitter antagonism of the M. and define the cause?
The Grange.
moral courage and fortitude to so far eight-hour day for women, and while t'.e United States, or of all government,
M. Association of Los Angeles, combined
together for the express purpose of exter­
The State Federation of Labor is to be digress from the beaten path of govern­ their laws have not as yet stood the or of all forms of law, or the assassination
minating any combinations of labor; con­ congratulated upon its continued amicable1 ing prisoners through brute force; cour­ test to which our law has been submit­ of public officials; prostitutes, or women
scious of these conditions in Los Angeles, relations with the Oregon State Grange. age to withstand the criticism of enemies ted, we should not permit ourselves to or girls coming into the United States
every trades-unionist had reason to antici­ We can hardly exaggerate the value of ¡and the skepticism of friends; and only be outdone in this particular line of en­ for the purpose of prostitution or for any
pate that should any untoward accident this great organization as an ally in the conviction of right could nerve a man deavor which means so much to the tra«le other immoral purpose; persons who pro­
either of God, man or the elements, hap­ securing progressive legislation. During to hazard so much in tin* cause if hu­ union movement in general, and to the cure or attempt to bring in prostitutes or
women of our State in particular. I also women or girls for the purpose of prosti­
pen to the Los Angeles Times, the blame the last general election, the members of manity.
Free Text Books.
recommend that we endeavor to secure tution or for any other immoral purpose;
would be laid at the door of trades-union­ the Grange throughout the State did val­
ists. Therefore, we were not greatly sur­ uable service for labor’s measure, and
I call the attention of the convention to the enactment of a minimum wage law persons hereinafter called contract labor­
prised when a crime was lodged against contributed in no small degree to its the great need of a law providing free for women, which would be of great ers, who have been induced or solicited
a prominent member of organized labor. splendid majority.
text books for the school children of the benefit in relieving the disgraceful condi­ to migrate to this country by offer or
We believed then that McNamara wai the
At the coming general election the State. With all our progressive legisla­ tions under which many of the women of promises of employment or in conse­
victim of a conspiracy, by the co: viction Grange will doubtless submit a good-roads tion, Oregon is lagging behind many j the State are now compelled to labor, i quence of agreements, oral, written or
and which in many instances are condu-1 printed, express or implied, to perform
of whom it wa- hoped to disrupt trades- law which will be of definite benefit to ■ States in this respect.
unions.
producer -and consumer. It is equally
The education of the children of this cive to immorality. Similar laws are now labor in this country of any kind, skilled
Labor, with the deep-rooted conviction certain that a -wealthy group of citizens ' commonwealth is an essential, and it propose«! in many parts of the United or unskilled; those who have been, within
of the innocence of these men, having do­ will submit a plan for good roads with I therefore devolves upon the citizenship States and are in operation in many for­ one year from the date of application for
admission to the United States, deported
eign countries.
nated its treasure and talent to secure for the object of developing a magnificent , to provide it at the smallest cost.
us
having been induced or solicited to
In
accordance
with
instructions
issued
them a fair trial, was dumbfounded when ! system of boulevards or speed-ways of
I would advocate the submission by
the news was flashed throughout the coun­ doubtful benefit to the general citizen­ , initiative the bill submitted to the last by the last convention to the Executive) migrate as above described; any person
try that the McNamaras at Los Angeles ship. Therefore this Federation should Legislature providing a system of free Board engrossed resolutions, expressing whose ticket or passage is paid for with
bad confesseil the heinous crime charged in appreciation of the Grange and the text books to the school children. I be­ our appreciation of the work done in con­ the money of another, or who is assisted
to them. This news was almost paralyz­ honesty of its measure give our ally its lieve the adoption of that measure will nection with the passage of the Employ­ by others to come, unless it is affirmative­
ing and it required days to comprehend most enthusiastic support in its effort go far toward breaking the combine in ers’ Liability Law, were presented t o 1 ly and satisfactorily shown that such per­
Hon. Henry F McGinn, Hon. C. E. 8. son does not belong to one of the forego­
its real significance. Labor now realizes to secure better roads for the legitimate I text books. «
Wood and Janies Cassidy. ex-Secretar.v of ing excluded classes, and that said ticket
Lien Law.
that these misguided men not only com­ traffic of the commonwealth.
A former conventon of the State Fed­ Our last convention instructed the this Federation. The resolutions were or passage was not paid for by any cor­
mitted the great sin of taking human life,
not only jeopardized the most sacred eration of Labor entered into a compact Executive Board to formulate and submit presented at an open meeting of the Cen­ poration, association, society, municipal­
movement for the uplift of humanity— with the State Orange wherein it ple«lged a lien law that would more definitely and tral Labor Council of Portland. The) ity, or foreign government, either directly
indirectly; all children under 16 years
the organization of the toiling masses— its proportion of a fund to employ attor­ surely secure the interests of working­ meeting was well attended and all those or
age, unaccompanied by one or both of
but cruelly deceived their truest and best neys to defend the initiative and referen­ men. This matter has been taken up a who were fortunate enough to hear theI of
parents, at the discretion of the Sec­
friends, who believed irtiplicitly in their dum in a case on appeal in the United number of times with attorneys and the speeches of acceptance can verify theI their
retary
of Commerce and Labor or under
statement
that
the
resolutions
were
ap-1
innocence, and whose confidence naming States Supr me Court. This case is now maze of lien laws of other States can-
such
regulations
as he may from time to
on earth could have shaken save their own up for hearing before the Supreme Bench i vassed, but we are unable to submit a preciated. In view of the results hereI time pres ribe. Provided, that nothing iu
obtained
I
recommend
that
organized
la
-,
and the Executive Committee of the State measure at tliis time. However, our at-
confession.
this Act shall exclude, if otherwise ad­
Labor was deceived. It has nothing to Grange has requested the amount pledged } torney is drafting a law which he be-, bor never fail to publicly acknowledge } missible, persons convicted of an offense
assistance
rendered
to
our
cause
by
dis­
apologize for. The law of humanity and | by the State Federation of Labor which lieves will amply protect the interests of
purely political, not involving moral tur­
justice deems every man innocent until is $500. This convention should take up ! workingmen under both contracts and interested parties.
pitude: Provided, further, that the pro­
I
wish
to
call
especial
attention
to
the
this
subject
and
provide
the
necessary
proven guilty. Then in view of all these
sub-contracts, and in which negligence
visions of this section relating to the pay­
efficient
work
of
the
Portland
Labor
considerations, why should labor be cen­ funds to discharge this obligation.
of the contractor will not abrogate the
ments for tickets of passage by any cor­
PresN,
the
official
organ
of
organizer
la-
sured for defending those they believed
rights of the employe.
Fanners’ Union.
poration,
association, society, municipal­
lair in Oregon.
innocent?
ity, or foreign government shall not ap­
M ileage of Delegates.
Th«>
paper
now
has
a
circulation
of
ap-
For
the
first
time
the
Farm
ers’
Union
Now comes a great clamor from all
The Executive Board was instructed to pr< ximately 7.000, the largest of any local ply to the tickets or passage of aliens in
quarters that the labor unions should be is represented in this convention by fra­
immediate and ct ntinuous transit through
purged of the radical element; that they ternal delegates. This action is a sub­ submit to this convention a plan whereby labor paper in the Unite«l States, and the United States to foreign contiguous
numbers
among
its
readers
many
who
are
the
mileage
of
delegates
to
our
conven­
stantial
step
toward
co-operation
be­
should be converted into admiration so­
territory: And provided further, that
cieties and pink tea socials; that they tween the members of the two organiza­ tion would be paid out of the general not trade unionists but are interested in skilled labor may be imported if labor of
the
work.
The
paper
through
its
broad
!
fund
of
the
State
Federation
of
Labor
should abandon by a policy of indolence ' tions and will no doubt result in great
like kind unemployed can not be found
and passiveness the great objects for benefit to all concerned. Your Executive and the per capita dues increased to policy i.ml liberal treatment of questions in this country: And provided further,
affecting
the
relations
of
the
workers
and
provide
therefor.
Board,
lacking
information
as
to
the
time
which they have striven for half a cen­
After mature consideration, your Boar«! employers has come to be recognized as a that the provisions of this law applicable
and place of the last meeting of the Farm­
tury.
!
begs
to report that the problem is so dif­ power in the affairs of the State. 1 urge to contraot labor shall not be held to ex­
ers’
Union,
did
not
select
a
fraternal
dele­
It is apropos in this connection to pro­
and indefinite that it is unable to that each and every unionist in the State} clude professional actors, artists, lec­
pose a local parallel for your considera­ gate to represent the Federation at their ' ficult
reduce
the proposition to a practicable set* to it that he receives the paper each I turers, singers, ministers of any religious
tion. Only a few weeks ago in the City convention, but I recommend that a fra­ plan. The
very fact that the conventions week to the end that its influence may be denomination, professors for colleges of
ternal
delegate
be
nominated
and
elected
of Portland a workingman, a striking ma­
are held at different points in the State increased. I urge that the paper be more seminaries, persons belonging to uny rec­
chinist, a picket, was shot down by an to attend the next convention of the Farm­ i
¡
and the great bulk of our membership is generally lists! by the membership as a ognized learned profession, or persons
employer, a member of the Association of ers’ Union.
¡located in Portland, precludes the possi- medium for discussing questions in rela­ employed strictly as personal or domestic
Employers, in cold blood. From all the
Labbr Exploitation.
! bilitv of presenting a plan of any value tion to the trade union movement. servants.
evidence thus far available this man was
During the past spring and summer a to tiic convention. If our annual meet­ Through no other medium can the mem­
Section 4: That it shall be a misde­
killed because he was a striker and a pick­ group of employers and real estate pro­ ings were held at any one place it would bership keep in touch, with affairs of in­ meanor for any person, company, part­
et. When the ease came to preliminary moters, with a view to flooding the labor be a simple matter to compute the cost of terest to them. The management is de- nership, or corporation, in any manner
examination and a charge of murder had market on the Pacific Coast, ami thereby transporting delegates to and from the serving of the fullest confidence and whatsoever, to prepay the transportation
been found by the grand jury, dozens of creating such keen competition among the convention. But the differential in car­ hearty support of all.
or in any wav to assist or encourage the
employers, members of the employers’ working people as to reduce present rying delegates to Portland and carrying
importation or migration of nny contract
Enforcement of Labor Laws.
unions, openly proffered both wealth and wages and increase hours of labor, tiiem to Medford or Astoria or The Dalles
laborer or contract laborers into the
The Federation should acknowledge United States, unless such contract la­
influence to defend a confessed murderer, launched a system of advertising in the or Pendleton is so great as to preclude an
its obligation to the efforts of the State borer or contract laborers are exempted
saying they were glad to shake the hand newspapers and magazines <»f the Middle accurate or satisfying estimate.
Labor Commissioner in the enforcement under the terms of the last two provisos
of the murderer of a striker. As an after- West and Eastern States, inviting and
Hospital
Fees.
of
the industrial laws of the State. Never contained in section 2 of this Act.
math, both the press and some citizens urging mechanics and laborers to come
I wish to suggest to this convention has there been so many successful prose­
clamored wildly for the suppression of to the Pacific Coast. These advertisements
Section 5: That for every violation of
strikers and the abolition of pickets, ban­ were almost without exception gross ex­ that a law be formulated regulating hos­ cutions of the violations of the labor laws any of the provisions of section 4 of this
ners. or any of the methods employed by aggerations and misstatements of fact, pital enterprises or departments conduct­ than during the past year. A multiplic­ Act, the person, partnership, company,
trader unionists to win the co-operation but to make them more convincing an ed by corporations. A number of large ity of laws is of no value to workingmen or corporation violating the same, by
and support of their friends and the gen­ address was appended in Portland, Ore­ ¡concerns within the State of Oregon are unless we have officials who will enforce knowingly assisting, cncournging, or so­
arbitrarily collecting from their em­ their provisions without fear or favor. I liciting the migration or importation of
gon.
eral public.
While this clamor arose in this city,
This advertising plan was productive ployees fees in some cases excessive. The Oregon has been especially fortunate in any contract laborer into the United
churning that the picket and the strike in- of results in a measure. Thousands of employees have neither voice nor vote in this regard and while we have few labor States shall forfeit and pay for every
ci?!«l lawlessness and riot, and therefore working peopb* there come to the coast, the disbursing of the funds thus ac­ laws, it is gratifying to note a closer ob­ such offense, the sum of one thousand dol­
lars, which may be sued for and recover­
should be abandoned, not one word has particularly Portland, and while the ob­ cumulated. I would suggest State super­ servation from year to year.
Submitted by Executive Board.
ed by the United States, or by any person
been uttered that the Los Angeles Times ject of reducing wages has not been real­ vision over all such departments, pre­
Following request, for co-operation in i who shall first bring his action therefor
tr its editor Otis should abandon their ized. the city is now facing the problem scribing that such funds shall be used
(Continued on Pa<o l our)
policy of villification of trades-unions, al­ of providing employment for a vast horde solely for the purposes of relief of sick- I enforcing Contract Labor Law from the!
Introductory.
,