United labor bulletin., January 30, 1915, Image 1

About United labor bulletin. (Denver, Colo.) 19??-1915

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In the Warfare Against Unjust Labor Conditions, Science, Business Enterprises , Labor and the Government Must All Unite
UNITED LABOR BULLETIN
VOL IX
Houston wins
ASSEMBLY RACE
b Chosen President Over
Bis Two Competitors
Anguta J. Frill eke Elected Vice
President; S. P. Op linger Lands
* for Organizer on Second Ballot
flint C. Houston of Denver Typo
graphical Union No. 40 wait chosen pres
ident of the Trade* and Labor A**em
bly at the semi-annual election held last
Sunday aftrrnoon in Painters’ Union
hall. lie defeated Henry M. Miinn. Ihib
iness agent of (hunters’ Union No. 79,
and Charlea Homburg of Cigarmaker#'
Union No. 129, receiving n majority of
I" over the combined votes of both con
testants on the first ballot. While much
interest was taken by friend* of the
•-ontestanta the best of feeling prevailed
and no “sore spots” wens in evidence
after the tellers had announced the re
sult.
Mr*. Augusta -I. Frincke of Bindery
Women’s Union No. 68 was elected vice
pfeffident, defeating John Salmond of
the United I a bore iUnion by a mar
gin of seven votes.
W. K. Welsh for recording anti corre
sponding secretary. Margaret N'aoiisn
for financial a«-« rotary Thomas I’. R«*lg
er* for reading clerk. Itufu- I*. Menus for
treasurer and James .1. Torpry tor librar
ian were re-elected with no opposition.
Two Ballots for Organiser.
A lively scrimmage r«n»e over the of
fice of organiser, and this »#• the only
i-«»»lt«**t that required a second ballot to
determine the choice for this honor.
lHdcgatr* distrlbutml their vote* on the
first bs I lot 10-taeen V. W. Hamilton of
the laundry Worker*. S. I\ Oplinger of
the Waiters and 11. I-. Wright of the
United laborers. Wright was low man
and dropped out on the second ballot,
when Oplinger defeated Hamilton bv a
majority of 12 votes.
On the first ballot Hamilton had M
wiU«, Oplingw 34 and Wright 12.
the Bindery Women for doorkeeper had
V "o opposition. There were four candi
\ .tea for throe places on the board of
’ directors, R. K. Uroskcy of the Cooks,
William Koch of the Brewery Workers
and Anna Ohg«- of the Garment Work
er* rend ring the high vote over T. 0-
Spry of the Barber*.
Fleet ion was by official printed bal
lot* and delegates walked to a bo* in
front of the president’s station and de
|tn*ited their votes as the roll of each
union was called. IV legate* W. C.
Thornton, llcnrv Lavoe and Michael
4 I‘llagan acted ns tellers.
Retiring iTesident Karl R. Ifoagc in
stalled the newly elected officials amid
considerable applause of the large
« ro*d of dcelgates and visitors present.
Vote for Candidates.
The vote in detail for the variona can
didates was a* follows:
ITesident —
«IJNTC. HOUSTON .. 00
If. M. Miinn . ... 2ft
* harlot llomhurg 8
Vice ITesident
\UGUKTA J. FRINCKE 45
-lohn Salmond ... .38
U.-cording Secretary—
M K. WELSH . 83
Financial Secretary—
MARGARET NOONAN 83
Heading Clerk—
THOMAS P. RODGERS 83
Troaaurer—
RUKi;S I*. MEANS 83
< *rganiaer—
s I* OPLINGER 4|l
1 W. Hamilton .. . . .34-
Librarian—
JAMES TORPKY 83
Srrgeantat-Arms
HAY I.OWDERRACK 83
noorkeeper--
MARY REED . v 83
Hoard of Dirrctors-
WTMJAM KOCH !. 03
K. K. CROSKEY 02
WNA OHOE M
T. O. Spacy 02
New President’s Policy.
In taking over the gnvcl. President
Houston made n brief address, comment
ing upon the elimination of factional
strife in the Assembly during the past
year. 41 We are now in splendid shape
for a general forward movement.” said
he. "and I hope, with the eo-operation
of all the delegates, to moke the Den
ver Trades and lailmr Assembly a con
struetive force for good in which every
labor organization of the city will be
proud to be affiliated.. This is labor’s
parliament in which questions of gen
eral concern to those who work for
wages in this community should be de
bated and acted upon in a spirit of mu
tual regard and elevation. la*gislntinn
mid public questions which affect the
city's builders should lie considered here
in such milliner of fairness and conscien
tious thought for each other’s welfare
that when a pronouncement is tnado it
will command attention and respect
among not only the workers but of all
elssses of citizens. The Denver Trades
anil Isibor Assembly lins a right to lie
mid must lie recognised ns one of tha
city's chief institutions in promoting
social and economic progress. This can
he n chived If the delegates and com-
{Continued on Page 'Six.)
OFFICIAL PAPER COLORADO STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR AND DENVER TRADES AND LABOR ASSEMBLY
Four New Officers of Trades Assembly
CLINT C. HOUSTON
Elected President
WILLIAM R. WELSH
_— .
A Journey , a Visit and Vivid Memories
Of Other Strenuous Days in Colorado
By DAVID C. COATES
Former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and Editor of The Colo
rado Chronicle. Ex-President of the Colorado State Federation
of Labor. Now Member of Spokane Typographical Union. Writ
ten During a Pleasant Social Call on The Bulletin Last Thursday
Here I am, sitting in the old place from which I edited the Colorado Chroni
cle, which took inch a part in the early labor struggle* of Denver and Colo
rado, and took part in the direction of the past great struggle* for “liberty, fra
ternity and equality.” What memories this spot brings back to mind, sad for
the past two days of my visit I have lived over agaia many incidents in twenty- j
five years of that struggle. The retrospect shows me a remarkable improve
ment in the condition of labor, for which the labor unions and their old pioneer
leaders are largely responsible, and I have the consolation that the fight was
worth while.
I find on the firing line yet many of the old warriors and the movement yet
in splendid condition. The Colorado labor movement has always had a large
influence on the general movement, and that position is still maintained. The
United Labor Bulletin is one of the largest and most influential labor journals
in the country, and will be so as long as the present management and policy is
maintained. My only regret is that our labor forces have never appreciated the
power of the labor press, for had they dSne so, and supported our labor papers
as they should, the movement would have been much further advanced and
more powerful for good than it is. „
The past few years have been serious times of industrial depression and
my present long trip from ocean to ocean has made me appreciate its extent
more than I dreamed. And in times like these the labor unions and their mem
bership are hit hard, as most of the ills of industry are laid by the unthinking 1
and selfish at the door of labor unions and labor agitation.
But through the storm our forces are splendidly showing their stability, and
I dread to think of the increased suffering there w*ould have been entailed had
not the trades unions in a large measure provided for their own unemployed
without the taint of charity.
The future holds much promise, especially to the labor organisations, and
only oncouragemeut for the cause of labot is the outlook. I attended for a
greater part of five days the hearings in New York before the United Sutes com
mission on industrial relations on the “cause and remedy for industrial unrest."
It’s the biggest thing for labor evei done in modern history, and out of the inves
tigation will come much good and a faster march of labor unions to their goal.
Labor unions will be recognised as beneficial institutions and as the real pre
servers of American life standards and institutions.
So I say in closing that we can say, “Courage and onward! in the cause of
human brotheihood," with a greatei confidence for immediate results.
To the many old Denver and Colorado comrades in the ranks whom I will be
unable to meet and greet, I send a word of greeting and courage, with assurance
that I will be with you to the end.
COAL MINES SHOW BIG DECREASE.
Inapector Dalrymple’s Report for 1914 j
Gives Figures on Mining.
The annual official statement of coal
produced in Colorado during 1914 was
issued this week by State CVml Mine
Inspeetor James Dnlrvmplc. The total
eoui tonnage mined last year was 8.1<i7,-
691. a decrease of 1,101,438 from the 0,-
208,030 tons produced during’ the pre
ceding year. The normal coal production
of (\>lorado is 11.500,000 tons, the de
crease since 1012 being dm* to the la
bor troubles.
With the strikes settled and new
mines being developed and old ones re
opened all over the state. Inspector Dai
ry mple say a he is confident that 1915
and the succeeding years will witness
DENVER, COLORADO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1915
I
AUGUSTA J. FRINCKE
Elected Vice President
RUFUS P. MEANS
Be slatted Treasurer
I great growth and prosperity for the Col-
I nrado coal industry.
] The average number of men employed
| during 1914 in the mines was 10,629. The
intpmvcnicnt in conditions is by
the fact that nearly 2.000 more than the
average were employed during the month
of December, after the strike had been I
called off. The mines wore worked an
average of 180 days during the year.
MINERS WIN PEACEABLE STRIKE.
Nearly 2.000 miners and mill men in
the Miami district of Arizona won a 12-
d«y strike, during which time there was
never a quarrel or even loud argument
on the streets of Miami. The Miami and
Inspiration companies agreed to raise
the wage* of their men and the strikers
will resume work.
ALPHONSE CRIES
OUT ‘TREASON’
Also Sedition; Demands
Gag on the Press
A Will Wrath Against Union Labor
ol Boulder Legislator Given Vent
Through Four Sulphuric BUIS
In L’.ii*- House of Representatives
Wedn* i \ Alphonse P. Ardourel of
; Bould* county presented four bill®
which ijivh will put union labor in
j Colon on the scrap heap. He wants
protest trades unionists tried for
1 treaeo: and shot, and the press gagged,
so tbe employers will not l>e exposed to I
public, orn To do ull this it will be
. neecen • y for the I.**gi*lature to pass
four jbiii- drawn by Alphonse, who
claim* to he a “progressive Democrat.” •
One ! ill provides the death penalty
| for Hreasou unnd defines treason as
’ “levying war against the state, or in
: odheri g to the enemies of the state,
giving them aid and comfort"
Would Gag Press and People.
] “Air. person wbn shall urge or ad
vise another to re*i«t or defy the civil
office*- of the state, or.who shall make j
any ||U‘hi- *|*eech or write or cause to
be |sbll-1,..i any book. |*amphlet or
newepi.-er <> r magazine article inflam-
in character aiul having a ,ten
denqp to incite public disorder or
Hie peace shall be deemed
guilty f sedition.** says a second bill.
Puniat <nt by from 81,000 to 85,000
. fine- in\pri-oument from one to five
year**! provided.
I fRK <iid hill provides heavy punish
ment I r “person*" found guilty of aid
. rug. a* -ting or participating with any
armed oree. with intent hv force of
I arms j « fistrurt. intimidate or resist
! any pfzne officer or member of the state
' militia u tbe |irrforinaiu*e of duty, or
• partie .ating iu the invasion by an
j armed force of any portion of the state.”
Tbe fourth bill provides a penalty lor
peesoi resisting u peace officer in the
i projp ~r o f *erving warrants.
“Law and Order” Program.
I The “safety clutch" designed to keep
J the poop I • of Colorado from saying by
their ballot- whether they approve of
such arbitrary method* of curbing free
speech and free pro-* is attached to ev
en hill.
\rdourel introduced the bills as part
of ;i “law and order" program. They are
designed not only t‘> muzzle the press,
hut to punish any |*erson who even in
, def. use of hi* uw n home takes up arms
, ag; .ust a mine guard militiaman or a
‘ cor j -oration paid deputy sheriff.
XrdoUrel’s hills are expected to die a
mi ''-iful death in the legislature. They
might do very well in Russia, progress
j ivelv inclined legislators say. but the
state of Colorado cannot afford to be
gin adopting laws that were discarded
n- un-American and opposed to the fun-
Ida mental principles of representative
• government more than a century ago.
JOHN DEE JUNIOR INVITES HAYES,
LAWSON, DOYLE AND 'MOTHER' JONES
FOR CONFERENCE AT 26 WALL STREET
Remarkable Change in Attitude of the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company Head Since the Federal Commission Probe Un
covered System Practiced By Agents in This State
I
It.,•«u*e Wclborn. Osgood and Brown,
he.uls’of the coal industry in Colorado,
refu-ed to confer with officers or com*
initti*e* of the United Mine Workers to
enn-ider grievances of the men working
in the mines they managed, came the
gn u strike, with its resultant deaths,
suffering nml disgrace to the stAto.
This w'cek John 1). Rockefeller. Jr., who
; owns a controlling interest in these
properties, invited Viet* l*resident Frank
J. 11 aye* of the United Mine Workers
.of Nmerica, John R. Lawson, national
i executive l*oard member; Ed L. Doyle,
scent ary-treasurer of District 15. and
“Mother” Jones to a conference nt the
IWkcfeller offices. 2(» Wall street. He
I had previously had a heart-to-heart talk
■ with “Mother” Jones in which his eyes
: were opened to the .inhuman method*
j pur-ned by the Colorado Fuel and Iron
j ( nnqtany in dealing with its thousands
j of i uiployes in which facts were relat
ed without any fancy dress covering.
I After his conference w ith the 83-year
j old -trike leader and agitator for human
| conditions of labor, young Rockefeller
i gnv. out a statement to the press in
; which he said:
Agreed with “Mother" Jones.
"In all matters our interview devel
oped the fact that so far from Wing
lu»|*clessly apart, as both of us proba
bly had supposed wo were until we be
gan to get better acquainted, we found
that in principle, at least, we substan
tially agreed as to the desirability of
practically the same things.
"I accordingly assured Mrs. Jones of
POST, NEWS AND TIMES SIGN UP
3-YEAR CONTRACT WITH TYPOS
REV. HUMBERD VISITS ASSEMBLY .
Head of City Charities Talks of Local
Unemployed Problem.
The Rev. I. A. Humberd, head of the
city board of eftaritie* and corrections,
addressed the Denver Trades and La
bor Assembly last Sunday afternoon on
the method being pursued in handling
the migratory unemployed. He said
that since the coming to Denver early
this month of some 700 of these men
the city had furnished a light breakfast
and one square ineal .a day to them.
Humberd said there were many really
good though unfortunate ones among
them, but that their leaders belonged
to the I. W. W. and were more anxious
to stir up a sensation than to procure
work. He is making n card record of
all who apply for assistance and believes
this system will prove helpful in the
• future. The movement on Denver, he
said, was similar to those of Los An
: geles and Portland last year.
“Some 200, including a number of the
leaders, have become disgusted with
their treatment here and moved on to
other fields." said Humberd.
ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION
SHOULD BE CURBED BY LAW
GOMPERS DECLARES PUBLIC SUS
PICIOUS OF WELFARE WORK
People Not Ready to Surrender Rights
to a Foundation Created by Methods
Pursued by Standard Oil.
Samuel Gompers does not believe that
any conclusion the Rockefeller Founda
tion might reach as to industrial condi
tion- would carry couvietion to the
workers of the country or greatly in
flueace the employers of labor. He said
»o in testifying before the inquiry be
ing conducted. v in New York by the
i United States comTmsoion ou industrial
relations into the adinmLV'atinu of
..the great philanthropic foundations to
the country and the cause of industrial
unrest.
The RnrkwfeHer ■fcmudatwwr -recently*
. appointed William Lyon MacKcnzie
• King, former Canadian minister of la
bor. to make a study of industrial re
’ } lations.
“ “The effort oi the Rockefeller Foun
dation to undertake to be an all-per
vading machinery for the molding of
the minds of the people in their con
■ stant human struggle." said Gomj>ers.
, “should Ik* curbed by law or regula
i tion. I do not think the people arc
i ready to surrender their rights, espe
i i cially to a Foundation w hich has such
a hi-tory behind if of the means by
i ; which the money was first made and
• ! later accumulated.”
(iomper* urged that immigration he
• restricted as a means of protecting the
workers of the United States.
'
The tabor problem is now the biggest
• question in the thought of the world
and will not down at anybody's bidding.
my intention to go to Colorado a> soon
as my engagement* will permit and
make a further thorough personal in
quiry on the ground. While there 1 hope
1 shall have the opportunity to meet
and talk freely with other men who
took conspicuous part in the strike last
year. In the meantime 1 assured Mrs.
Jones of my intention to do whatever
lav in my power, consistent with the
duties of a director and an owner, to
bring a Unit more harmonious relation*
and to insure more stable conditions of
industrial peace.
"There must be some way out of these
difficulties of ours. Industrial conflict
is so wasteful, so inhumane, so un
christian. so senseless. All conflict is
such. None of us. surely, can look at
the European war without regarding it
! unchristian and wasteful, f do not
-oo how we can refrain from that belief
, regarding industrial conflict."
Will Come to Colorado.
Mr. Rockefeller may In* piloted
through Colorado coal mines and strik
ers’ camps by “Mother" Jones. After a
conversation between the two during a
recess of the industrial commission’s
hearing. Rockefeller said he might make
the trip with “Mother" Jones. The two
met in City Hall and were photographed
shaking hands.
Rockefeller was excused Wednesday
afternoon after he had been on the wit',
ness stand before the industrial com
mission for the better part of three days.
The audience, in which then* were So
cialists. individualists, members of the
Industrial Workers of the World and
4-
Agreement Approved At
Special Meeting
Union Concedes Publishers Print
es “ Double-Header,” and Gain
Additional Pay for “Extras”
With only 12 dissenting votes in a
largely attended special meeting last
Sunday afternoon, in Horan hall, Den
ver Typographical Union No. 49 ap
proved the amended contract and wage
scale on dafly newspapers as reported by
Chairman Frank J. Pulver of the scale
committee. It was signed Monday at
noon by F. G. Bonfils for the Denver
Post and by James H. Smith as general
manager, representing John C. Shaffer,
for the Rocky Mountain News and Den
ver Times. It is be in force for a term
of three years from date of signature.
As stated in last week’s issue of The
Bulletin a hitch over the agreement ap
proved by the union at a special meet
ing held a week previous arose over the
pay for Saturday night’s work on the
Post, known in the trade as a “double
header." where men are required to
work a night shift to get out a Sunday
morning paper after putting in the day.
Saturday, in getting out the regular
evening edition.
Compromise Basis Reached.
s iuce 1910 the s-cale ha- been at the
rate of $4.75 for the day shift and price
and one-half of this for the night shift,
or 87.12' .. The Post management con
tended that inasmuch as this scale did
not now prevail on any other pa|»er in
the country the night ?cale of $5.25
should be written into the contract.
At a conference held last Saturday, be
tween the scale committee and the pub
lishers a compromise was reached by
which two new sections to the previous
ly adopted scale were agreed upon.
as approved by the union Sun-
Jay. are as follows:
"See. T Evening, paper* publishing
Sunday iow.tJA* edit** shall be
*■ i ■■ M*m»ilny~pap>g»; eomren-n
--tion to be at the day scale for day work
and at the night scale for night .work.
Where it is necessary for a man to
double-head on Saturday and Saturday
night overtime shall not be charged, hut
it shall be construed as two separate
days, the man receiving pay for his day
work at the day rate and for his night
work at the night rate. This shall ap
ply only to Saturday and Saturday
night.
Extras Get More Pay.
"Sc. 8. Men not holding regular situa
tion- shall he classed as extras. Extra*
working less than four days or nights a
week for the office shall be compensat
ed at the rate of 50 cents per day or
night in addition to the regular scale.”
In all other re.-pect* the scale is the
same as that handed down by the joint
national arbitration l»oard in 1910.
Thus, while the union conceded the
point claimed by the Post, additional
pay for extra men working less than
four day* or nights was gained on all
three pajH-r* parties to the conference.
This provision i* similar to those pre
vailing on daily papers in New York
Chicago, Seattle and one or two other
large publishing centers.
First Contract with Post.
(onsidentble gratification was ex
pressed by member sof the union over
the favorable outcome of the confer
ence-. which have coverd a period since
tin* scale was oj»ened for amendment
last October. It is the first time the
Typographical l nion has ever had a
signed agreement with the Denver Tost.
Tins is the first newspaper scale nego
tiated in Denver for more than a -core
. of years without culling iu outside aid
or sending the matter to the national
arbitration hoard.
Xu m rous little matters that have
caused irritation in the newspaper of
fices also were ironed out. so that the
slate has been wiped clean and the
union starts under the now agreement
at peace with all parties concerned. As
previously printed in The Bulletin, one
of the big steps taken looking to con
tinued harmony is the creation of a
joint standing committee to arbitrate all
grievances that may arise under the op
eration of the contract just entered into.
While not a party to the conference,
the Denver Express, a Scripps paper, has
concurred in the terms.
Ed L. Doyle, secretary-treasurer of
lb strict 15. I nited Mine Workers, is iu
New York attending the hearing of the
federal commission on industrial rela
tions and may be one of the witnesses
invited to give testimony*.
other similar organization*, applauded
Rockefeller as he left the stand.
Ik*fore leaving the stand he thanked
the commission for its courtesy ami ex
pressed the hope that real improvements
would result from its labors. He placed
his assistance at the commission's com
mand at any time.
As Rockefeller left the room Sergeant
at-Arins Kfcun handed him a check for
s•* representing his fee as a witness for
three days at 82 a day. Rockefeller
folded the check up slowlv. put it in
his pocket and signed a voucher for the
amount.
Na 26