Kahn, baker, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911; Michael Katzban, molder, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911; Ed. Kiefer, painter, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911; George Klenzendorff, architect, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911; Frank B. Metcalfe, glass blower, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911, and James H. Vint, machinist, member of the Legislature, one term, 1911. Fraternally submitted, FRED BROCKHAUSEN, Secretary-Treasurer, Wisconsin State Federation of Labor. In the October number of AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST we published an article, "Demand Workable Initiative a and Referendum," by Mr. Judson King. In that article was this sentence which did not seem to be quite clear: "Are you in favor of the standard percentages on petitions not more than 5 per cent for the Referendum, and not more than 8 per cent for the Initiative, and with no distribution in counties?" We wrote to Mr. King for further information, but as he was engaged in field work his reply came too late for publication in that issue. Feeling that his article would be of such immediate and vital importance to the campaign then in progress, we published the article as written. The following letter from Mr. King since received, also contains important experimental data deduced from the operation of Initiative and Referendum laws. PHILADELPHIA, PA.. Sept. 9, 1912. Responding to your letter of the 7th regarding the term "distribution of petitions" in the Initiative and Referendum amendments, permit me to say that this refers to the requirement now being urged by opponents of the system, that petitions be signed by the required per cents in each of a specified number of counties, or other districts in the State. For example: Montana requires an 8 per cent petition for the Initiative. That is, 8 per cent of the total vote. But it must also be secured in each of two-fifths of the counties of the State. This "distribution" requires our boys to first see to it that 8 per cent of the voters in each of two-fifths of the counties sign up. Then they can complete their petition by getting enough signers to equal 8 per cent of the total vote of the State anywhere they can. Missouri requires such a distribution in each of two-thirds of the congressional districts. The proposed Nebraska amendment has a 10 per cent Initiative. But this petition must be distributed in such wise that 5 per cent of the voters in each of two-fifths of the counties (thirty-seven counties, in this instance) sign it. The amendment just adopted in Ohio requires as follows for an Initiative on a statute law: First, a petition of 3 per cent introduces a bill in the Legislature. But this must be distributed so as to be signed by 1.5 in each of one-half the counties of the State (equals forty-four counties in Ohio). The remaining 1.5 can be secured anywhere. Second, if the action of the Legislature is not satisfactory, another petition of 3 per cent of the total vote, distributed as above, must be secured to bring the bill to a vote. There are 1,125,000 voters in Ohio. A 3 per cent petition, to be safe and able to withstand the familiar injunction against it for "insufficiency," should have 40,000 signatures, all sworn to, etc. If Labor tries to get this petition under favorable conditions it will be a big task. But when you go to securing 1.5 in each of fortyfour counties as an additional burden, I need not instruct so experienced a general as you to impress what that means in correspondence, and the sending of special paid men to several counties to stir things up and get that final 1.5. in the last of the forty-four counties. Those who are not familiar with the real work can easily solve this percentage problem from the depths of an easy chair, but when they get into the work of financing a petition of 40,000 names they will have their eyes opened. Then, when in Ohio they have to get to work and get another petition of 40,000 names, of different men, and “distributed" as above, it is clear that Ohio has not secured "the best yet." A letter in this mail from L. H. Moore, Secretary of the Arkansas State Federation of Labor, says that the two petitions secured by the Federation in Arkansas this year "will cost the Federation about $800. This includes our own committee work and all." Arkansas has 160,000 voters and an 8 per cent petition clean and straight with none of Teddy Roosevelt's "safeguards and restrictions," means only 13,000 signatures, and costs that in cash in addition to a large amount of free voluntary work. And we must remember that the more populous the State, the greater the relative difficulty of getting the required percentages. In our work, Dr. Taylor and I are always looking ahead to the actual usage of an amendment providing for the Initiative and Referendum, as we are not concerned like the politicians with getting political glory and capital out of championing this great reform. Let me suggest the following as a substitute for the question in hand: "2. Are you in favor of the standard percentages on petitions? Not more than 5 per cent for the Referendum. Not more than 8 per cent for the Initiative, with no "distribution" jokers which require these percentages to be secured in each of a certain number of counties or districts in the State. That is, the signature of a legal voter of the State shall be valid and count toward the petition, whereever his place of residence may be." I am heartily glad for your splendid articles in the FEDERATIONIST on the Initiative and Referendum, as well as other vital subjects, and if we can cooperate in getting the people Initiative and Referendum amendments with which they can do business, I shall be happy. Sincerely yours, JUDSON KING. P. S.-I might add that some of the best students of the Initiative and Referendum are now favoring the Swiss system of requiring a definite number of signatures on petitions instead of using the percentage system. This has already been adopted in Maine which requires 12,000 flat signatures for the Initiative and 10,000 for the Referendum. Here in Pennsylvania we are urging upon the State Grange and the Pennsylvania State Federation of Labor the advisability of setting up their demands for 25,000 signatures for the Referendum and 40,000 for the Initiative. This, with the expectation of having them raised to 30,000 and 50,000, the limit set by Mr. U'Ren and the Oregon experts. In the Washington amendment it is required that petitions be signed by 5 per cent for the Referendum, "but not to exceed 30,000 signatures." With the same provision for the Initiative with 50,000 set as the actual limit. If this is agreeable to your way of thinking we might alter our question to read: "2. Are you in favor of the standard percentages on petitions? Not more than per cent, and in no case more than 30,000, for the Referendum. Not more than 8 per cent, and in no case more than 50,000, for the Initiative, with no "distribution" jokers which require these percentages to be secured in each of a certain number of counties or districts in the State. That is, the signature of a legal voter of the State shall be valid and count toward the petition, wherever his place of residence may be." The trouble with the per cent system is that: 1. It is indefinite to the average man, 5 per cent sounds small, but when we say 15,000 or 45,000, though it may be less than 5 per cent, it rings big and gives him an adequate and truthful idea and impression of what the petition is. Hence, we spike the guns of the opposition. 2. The percentage system, in many States, causes the actual petition to fluctuate violently from year to year. Pennsylvania will cast 250,000 more votes this year than last election.-J. K. These letters conclude the story of the part organized labor has taken in the movement to democratize the government by securing for the people an effective and permanent channel whereby legislation shall be in accord with their needs and ideals. It was trade union men who first realized the value of the principles underlying the Initiative and Referendum and advocated its application to our political evils. was trade union men who inaugurated the campaign of education which preceded the adoption of the Initiative and Referendum; who incurred the ridicule heaped upon the pioneers in the movement; who bore the brunt of the fight against the "interests," the political machines, and political "regularity." They went in at the beginning of the battle, fought where the battle was thickest, stayed till the victory was won. But we have found that the wiles of the enemy are manifold, that he does not always fight in the open. Often when we thought the victory won, we found the opposing force had merely negotiated for a more advantageous position. Some of their wiles Mr. Judson King pointed out in his article published in the October issue of the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST. He warned advocates and workers not to accept an Initiative and Referendum law that does not apply to constitutional amendments as well as to statute laws; not to accept a law that is not workable because the percentage required is so high or is so distributed in counties as to entail prohibitive expense; not to accept a law that the Legislature can nullify through the interposition of an "emergency clause;" not to accept a law that stipulates a majority of "all votes cast in the election" instead of a majority of the "vote cast thereon;" not to accept a law which does not provide for a Publicity Pamphlet free from corrupt press influence. Let all the toilers gird themselves for the contest, let both those already in the fight and those who have not yet entered, but who will enter, unite in demanding at the hands of our Legislatures effective, workable laws, which will vest in the people ultimate authority both as to constitutional and statutory laws, requiring not more than 5 per cent on petitions for the Referendum, and not more than 8 per cent for the Initiative. Let us insist that we may repeal any law passed by the Legislatures, even though an emergency clause has allowed it to go into effect. Let us insist that a majority of those interested may adopt a law despite the ignorant, careless or doubtful voters who do not vote on the measures. Let us insist that the law shall provide a method whereby the arguments for and against all measures may be impartially presented. United, enlightened, and insistent action will place upon the statute books of every State this potent provision for democracy, for justice, and for human uplift. (Concluded.) WHAT OUR ORGANIZERS ARE DOING. FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC. In this department is presented a comprehensive review of industrial conditions throughout the country. This includes: A statement by American Federation of Labor general and local organizers of labor conditions in their vicinity. Increases in wages, reduction of hours, or improved conditions gained without strikes. Work done for union labels. Unions organized during the last month. City ordinances or state laws passed favorable to labor. Strikes or lockouts; causes, results. A report of this sort is rather a formidable task when it is remembered that nearly 1,000 of the organizers are volunteers, doing the organizing work and writing their reports after the day's toil is finished in factory, mill, or mine. The matter herewith presented is valuable to all who take an intelligent interest in the industrial development of the country. It is accurate, varied, and comprehensive. The information comes from those familiar with the conditions of which they write. These organizers are themselves wage-workers. They participate in the struggles of the people for better conditions, help to win the victories, aid in securing legislation—in short, do the thousand and one things that go to round out the practical labor movement. Through an exchange of views in this department the wage-workers in various sections of the country and the manifold branches of trade are kept in close touch with each other. Taken in connection with the reports from secretaries of international unions, this department gives a luminous vision of industrial advancement throughout the country. splendid shape. A federal union was organized at Virden and have several other unions under way at Virden. Decatur.-D. C. Simpson: Labor conditions fair and employment steady. A building trades department has been organized since last report. Concrete workers and helpers are organizing. Good work is done for the union labels. Du Quoin.-Geo. A. Pflauz: Practically all labor here is organized. Employment is steady. Our central body will hold a mass meeting during the month. No strikes or troubles here to report. Kankakee-Norris Stone: Organized labor is in good shape. All the organized building trades have the eight-hour day while the unorganized trades work nine-hour day. In the building industry, carpenters, painters, plumbers, plasterers, lathers, electricians are organized. Other organized trades here are cigarmakers, bartenders, railroad clerks, musicians, brewery workers, piano workers, and machinists. Work is booming. All men steadily employed. Nearly every trade has secured increased wages from 2% to 10 cents per hour without strike. Building trades have formed a council and doing good work. We have a city ordinance calling for building inspectors in the city. Piano builders and wood, wire, and metal lathers organized recently. Hodcarriers and building lathers and sheet metal workers are organizing. Lincoln.-H. A. Crawford: Practically every trade here is organized, with the exception of the plumbers and laundry workers. Wages have advanced somewhat without strike. Carpenters will make a stand for increased wages and shorter hours next spring. Laundry workers are organizing. Pekin.-P. Klein: Organized labor is holding its own and the unorganized workers are coming in line. A strike of the unorganized workers here resulted in the formation of an organization. The union labels are demanded. A federal labor union is being organized. Peoria.-Walter S. Bush: Cooks and waiters organized recently. Steamfitters here are on strike for better conditions. INDIANA. Elkhart.-J. O. Vance: Organized labor in good shape and steadily employed. The workers are awakening to their own interest. There is an increased demand for the union labels. Evansville.-G. J. Schwab: Carriage, wagon, and automobile workers have been organized here and a central labor union was recently organized in Clinton. Indianapolis.-Frank Duffy: Condition of organized trades here is good. Better than ever before. Work is steady and not enough men to supply the demand in the building industry. Indianapolis.-Geo. A. Nolte: Railroad work is steady in this section. Two unions of carmen were organized at Cumberland, Md., during the month. MASSACHUSETTS. Bridgewater.-W. H. Swift: There is plenty of work in the building trades. Organized labor in good shape, but unorganized workers are poorly paid. Nearly all organized workers are busily employed. Hope to report organization of the unskilled laborers shortly. Brockton.-Francis J. Clarke: Building trades have been busy, but shoe industry quiet at this time. The organized workers have in many instances improved their conditions without strike. Am devoting my time to union label agitation. Fitchburg.-R. E. Anderson: Condition of organized labor is far better than the condition of the unorganized workers. Everybody is working steady at this time. Papermakers' union reports an increase in members from 40 to 300. Teamsters organized recently. Have a union of stationary engineers under way. |