Schuffenhauer v. Department of Employment Security

Appellant, Verne Schuffenhauer, is a wholesaler of clams. The Washington Employment Security Department levied an assessment on him for unemployment compensation fund contributions. The department claimed individuals who dug clams for him on his leased tidelands were employed by him within the scope of RCW 50.01 et seq., the Employment Security Act. This order of assessment was upheld by an appeal examiner at a departmental hearing, by the commissioner of the' department and on appeal by the superior court.

The two issues before us are whether the services performed by clam diggers for…