United labor bulletin., 1912-10-31
TRADES ASSEMBLY
REAFFIRMS ACTION

The Denver Trades and Labor assem-
bly, Sunday met in regular session to
transact business that might come before
it. 1t was expected that the session
would be warm one, but it was milder
| than was expected. The most important
subject before the assembly was the dis
cussion of the public utilities bill of the
assembly. as well as that of the Direct
Legislation league. Charges had been
made during the last two weeks that cor
porations were behind the assembly's 8
utilities bill, and it was known that at
tempt would be made to have the in
dorsement withdrawn.
James H. Brown, attorney for the Bus
mess Mems association that is behind an
ordinance to regulate the telephone COM
pany, appeared in behalf of the associa-
ton and against the assemblys measure.
He took the bill up section by section
and discussed each as he passed over the
measure, occupying about twenty-five
minutes time. His attack on the meas
ure was not near as effective as the op-
I ponents of the bill expected it would be.
He was received cordially, and was given
| a hand" when he had finished.
Henry Cohen. attorney for the Trades
assembly, followed Mr.. Brown. He COW
cred all the points to which Mr.. Brown
| had referred. and his reply had telling
effect on the delegates. He showed con-
clusively that the bill was taken from
| the utility statutes of California, Wiscon-
sin and New York, and he read letters
| from members of the commissions and
, attorneys of those states as we'll as those
of other states, commencing him on his
good draft. Mr.. Cohen said that he was
entirely responsible for the drawing OF
the measure, and further he said that 1t
would entirely control the public utilities
of the state.
After Mr.. Cohen had finished his
scholarly debate with Mr.. Brown, he was
asked several questions by members OF
the assembly, and his answers were SO
satisfactory that when Delegate Means,
the only delegate to oppose the measure,
moved to withdraw the assemblys In
dorsement, his motion was tabled, on
motion of Delegate Conkle, by large
vote.
Delegate Means then attacked the bill.
but was followed by Delegate Koch and
President Bryan. President Bryan COW
cred the incidents leading up to the bill
being initiated, and the offers of deals
made by members of the Direct Legisla-
ton league.
The tabling of the motion to withdraw
the endorsement means that the assem-
| bly, reaffirms its former action in father
| ing the bill. The delegates were in high
/ glee over the Victory over tuOse WIN uS-
sired to discredit the measure for the
benefit of the new telephone company
that is seeking a franchise. The attor-
ney for the new company was at the
meeting OF the assembly, but few knew
of his presence there.
Assembly Against "Soeial Center"
Amendment.
The other subject before the Trades
assembly. of nearly as great Importance
to the delegates, was a resolution from
the Building Trades Council denouncing
the Social Center" amendment Of the
Direct Legislation league. The resolu-
ton was referred to the resolutions COM
mittee. and a majority report was re-
turned by Messrs. Bulger and Taylor. and
a minority report by Delegate Conkle.
constituting the committee. Chairman
Bulger moved to adopt the majority re-
port. Following this motion. Delegate
Houston of the Typographical union took
the floor against the resolution. and
when he had taken his seat motion to
substitute the minority report was made.
but was ruled out of order on a point OF
order by Delegate Johns. The resolution
was debated by many delegates on each
side, ana after motion made TO table
was defeated. the resolution carried. and
a further motion carried to ask the State
Federation of Labor to send II to all af-
If adopted- at the coming election. will
open all school buildings to public meet
ings and will put the schools under con-
troll of cities instead of an elective school
board.
Other Assembly Business.
The meeting was called to order at
2:20 o'clock, with President Bryan In the
chair.
Credentials were received from the
Sheet Metal Workers and Plumbers, and
delegates obligated.
Delegates Taylor and Conkle were ap-
pointed to temporarily fill vacancies on
the resolutions committee.
report was received from Chairman
Hines of the Labor day committee. 1t
was accepted as progress.
Delegate Mitchell, chairman of spe-
cial committee to investigate the Colo
RADIO Industrial Review, reported prog
ress.
By vote the assembly renewed its
subscription to the National Committee
on Prison Labor.
A resolution from the Building Trades
Council asking that election day be de-
clared a holiday was adopted.
communication was received from
the Pueblo Trades assembly endorsing
the assembly's public utilities bill. II
was fled
A communication was received from
the Bakers union calling attention to the
success of that organization in its fight
against the Old Homestead bakery.
resolution from the Bartenders'
union going on record against statewide
prohibition was adopted.
The Press Assistants announced their
ball Halloween at Marble hall.