Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Five hundred students from Washington State College formed an impromptu “army” and marched through Pullman in a show of patriotism in the midst of the ongoing Mexico crisis.

They armed themselves with “boards, barrel staves and fence rails in lieu of army rifles.” When they reached downtown Pullman, they burned Mexican President Victoriano Huerta in effigy “amid cheers.” One student mounted a soapbox and called for a cheer – “nine rahs and a tiger” – for U.S. President Wilson.

The commandant of the college’s cadet corps gave a short speech in which he said that most Americans were unaware of the gravity of the situation in Mexico. 

From the labor beat: A new minimum wage – $10 – went into effect for women store clerks and shopkeepers in Washington.

That is, $10 per week. 

This new minimum applied strictly to women over 18. The minimum for minors was fixed at $6 per week.

The Industrial Welfare Commission in Olympia also issued new rules for store workers. Women were to be allowed one hour for lunch every day, and minors were not allowed to work past 7:30 p.m. New rules of sanitation and ventilation were also issued.

The commission intended to issue new minimums for factory workers and laundry workers soon.