Title: "Are Forced to Take Vacations," Seattle Times, 6/28/1903, (ddr-densho-56-32)
Densho ID: ddr-densho-56-32

ARE FORCED TO TAKE VACATIONS

Number of Seattle Barbers Had Their Licenses Revoked for Violating the Sanitary Law.

The state board of examining barbers yesterday afternoon mailed notices of suspension for ninety days to eight American barbers and nineteen Japanese barbers doing business in this city, on account of violation of the state barber's law as to sanitary conditions. These suspensions are a result of the investigation begun the first of this month. Hearings were held on June 19 and 23 in the King County court house, where the accused barbers were given opportunity to defend themselves.

The notices of suspension sent out yesterday afternoon included the following barbers other than Japanese:

H. Lindstrom, Railroad Avenue and Marion Street; A.O. Smith, 523 Sixth Avenue South; R.G.W. Russell and R.L. Chaney, 171 Washington Street; C.T. Knox, 2227 First Avenue; Fred Kimple, U. John, of 403 Main Street; F.C. Wilson of 171 Washington Street and nineteen Japanese barbers, all doing business south of Yesler Way. The state barber's board is made up of R.L. Ireland, Tacoma, president; Carl Cook, Spokane, secretary, and F.C. Brown of Seattle, treasurer. The papers were made out and signed by the board yesterday afternoon in Mr. Brown's place of business at 119 Columbia Street, under Lee's drug store.

The board has already had an intimation that some of the suspended barbers would appeal to the courts in an effort to undo what the board has done. The only way this can be done is to attack the law, which leaves the board no alternative but to revoke licenses where the law is not complied with.

The board cannot reinstate any suspended barber, nor can it impose a longer or shorter penalty than ninety days. Ample warning was given to all offending barbers to clean up shops and to comply with the law. In the case of the Japanese barbers, at least, it is stated that their claim is that in running a 10-cent shop it is impossible for them to comply with the law without loss, but here again the board has no alternative.