United labor bulletin., 1913-01-30
RESOLUTIONS
Favorable Action Taken on Two
Propositions by Central Body.

The following resolutions were adopt
| ed by the Denver Trades assembly SUM-
day. The first was introduced by a num-
| Der of delegates to the assembly. and the
| second was sent to the assembly by the
System Federation of the Hartman
| lines:
Resolution No. I.
Whereas, Our constitution provides
| for the abolition Of the contract system.
by providing for government ownership;
therefore. be II
Resolved. BY the Denver Trades and
Labor assembly, that we urge the in
coming national administration to own
and operate the teams or vehicles used
In transporting the U. s. mails and par.
cells post In the United States or its pos
sessions. and that we request each Colo
rado congressman and senator to work
for this measure.
Resolution No. 2.
Whereas. We, the System Federation
of the Hartman lines. in session assem-
bled at Los Angeles. Friday, Dec 20,
1912. having under consideration the
present investigation OF the so-called
Money Trust. and
Whereas. II has been generally stated
and advertised universally that We on
Sept 80. 1911. called what was known as
the Hartman lines and Illinois Central
strike. and
Whereas. During a period of two
months previous to the call of said strike
the said companies laid on and dis
charged fifty per cent OF their shop en-
ployes. members of this federation. and
Whereas, The arbitrary action of the
said companies in discharging so many
men had the effect (possibly desired ef-
fect) OF forcing the other fifty per cent
In self defense to lay down their tools.
and
Whereas. We respectfully submit that
our action taken aforesaid was solely
and purely in the defense of the Amer
lean workingman's home and citizenship.
both OF which are in jeopardy from the
Vaccinations OF the money power In
Wall street, and
Whereas. Our places have been filled
by incompetent workmen. and as a re-
suit of their employment the locomotive
boilers and safety appliances have been
so neglected and abused that the lives
OF many employees and passengers have
been sacrificed. and
Whereas. The employees In the operat-
ing departments of said railways are to-
day forced. over their own signatures.
to assume all responsibility for defective
conditions. and
Whereas. II the said employees in the
operating departments refuse to assume
responsibility they are discharged. and
Whereas. If any OF the present en-
ployes should report defective boilers or
safety appliances to the government
authorities, or refuse to operate defec-
tive equipment, they also are discharged.
and
Whereas. Tho defective conditions of
motive power and car equipment are
growing worse every day. thereby caus-
ing great loss to business interests and
the shipping public. and becoming each
day n more serious menace to the lives
and limbs OF the American public. and
Whereas. Our places have been filled
by foreigners whose interest, II any. in
the welfare of our nation is OF small |
and almost negligible character. and
Whereas. We realize the tremendous
gifts of the United States government to |
the railroads in the form of land grants. |
266. 100000 OF acres. and mileage con- |
struction bonuses from $4,000 to 1000 |
per mile; therefore be It
Resolved. That we call upon the pres
ident of the United States. the United |
States Senate and the House OF Repre- |
sentatives to see that the inspection OF |
locomotive boilers and safety appliances |
for railway equipment be strictly en- |
forced. and be It further
Resolved, That n congressional inves- |
tigation be ordered Immediately, with |
the object and to the end that the tre- |
loss OF life caused by defective |
equipment of railways may cease. and |
be It further
Resolved. That steps be taken immedi. |
ately to prevent the railway companies
from forcing strikes or lockouts for pur- |
poses OF financial enterprise or stock |
market manipulation. to the end that the |
American railway employees may feel &C.
cure in the occupancy OF their homes |
and enjoyment OF their fair share OF the |
now SO general in the United
States.