United labor bulletin., 1912-11-21
COMMENT ON TIMELY TOPICS

Dlsrct elect hush, city Bryant
and Judge Lindsey These lack confidence in the
citizens Denver justice The people
are aroused and from occurring events they have
become suspicious of of the who the
head of the movement railroad commission of
government amendments through At the meeting Sat
urday night Mayor Arnold called either weaklng
or crook. and District Attorney Rush and City At
torney Bryant have been publicly of aiding the
Democratic machine steal the Denver election from
the Progressive party.
Taking all this consideration will the people
the drafting of charter in the hands of such men?
The working people city voice
the writing of the charter amendments. The laborng
people form the of the population of
the city. and they must not be ignored. They will
tan vote against amendments that do not
their interests and in which they
writing
1t is said by that the constitution of city
will permit of certain the protection
of the workers; and by others
amendment granting home rule cities carried the
election, the may
people this be then radical changes for the benefit
OF industriasts should be made.
To show that the people
speak for ITSELF need but refer great
done at the Ohio constitutional convention.
Several of the constitutional amendments adopted
the Ohio referendum will have farreaching effect
the interests of the workngman At least six of the
ositons adopted the electorate of
portance the so-caed labor interests These amend
victims of industrial accidents, welfare
ployed persons and minimum wage scale, for removing
the limit damages that may be collected wrongful
death. for the eighhour day public works. for
chanics liens and for aboshing labor
other amendment permits the do the printing for
all the public institutions and departments
The of direct compensation is to give acci
victims monetary benefits without necessity
them seek relief from the Investigation showed
how suits for damages dragged through the tedious grind
litigation. in the of little benefit
the victim Of the accident and that he often received
but small part of the damages awarded. if
awarded
The Ohio constitutional amendment permits legisa-
tcn providing that workmen who have been injured
occupatonal disease the
their employment and the dependents of workmen who
killed died from injuries
pational diseases shall be compensated of fund
maintained compulsory contributions by the industries
state. The thus disposition
be under the control and supervision of the
theory of direct compensation that the industry
should bear the burden for injuries to employees just
pay for the repair of damaged machine.
Ohio constitutional amendment the welfare
employees the provision which is of interest employ
well labor is that which authorizes the enact
of laws establishing minimum scale
This a which unionists long been
manding The amendment also permits the passage of
laws fixing regulating the of labor in all
poymens and providing for the comfort health safety
and general welfare of all employees The stipulation is
pair limit the powers delegated by the amendment
The argument made for this proposal that would
allow the of humane laws in conformity with
modern industrial development to improve the conditions
of employment of and children. In the ab-
constitutional provision a number
laws have in the past been held to be invalid
Now that the amendment has been accepted by the
people it is said labors will be to have laws
for creation board commission to
inquire the conditions of employment and to
which pay liv
ing wages their help. This commission will be
prepare legislative which will lift
wages to a living Massachusetts minimum
commission of this character recently created
created England years has succeeded
in having number of occupations advanced
through legislation 1t recommended
Under the constitution of Ohio in a civil action
for death by the wrongful act neglect default
the recovery. had that right by fixing
the of damages that be recovered at $4,000
Now that amendment relating damages for
full has carried the polls the lawmakng
can place limit the amount of recovery in such
cases.
The decision of the court in declaring
stituonal law passed by the general assembly in 1904
fixing eight hours for n workday all public work.
brought amendment which provides that
of to exceed eight hours shall
stitue days work and to exceed fortyeght hours
weeks work public work carried ordered by
the political subdivisions whether
by contract otherwise
Anorher amendment made necessary, it is declared.
because of decided be void the is that
mechanics and builders liens This authorizes
enactment of laws securing laborers mechanics and
their work done and to material
men the amount justly due them for material furnished
The amendment abolishing prison labor