United labor bulletin., 1914-05-23
Contractors Must Comply
With Provisions
Organized Labor Committees Ap-
pear Before Council; File Claims
for Enforcement Of Law

An amendment to the ordinance pro-
sldIng Tor minimum wage OF 50 50 Tor
a day OF eight hours Is being prepared
by Judge Henry A. Hicks. representipsr
the committees named BY Denver cen
traI labor bodies and the United Labor
ers- When the demand for enforcement
OF this ordinance was made upon the
CITY council last Monday. the absence
OF penalty clause for non-eompliance
herewith was noted, and in order to
make II effective upon contractors 30
that all future quibbling and evasfo.,
may be eliminated, the matter was re-
ieTred to the city attorney for consider
alton This was agreeable to the attor-
ney representing the labor pople. and it
mas since been agreed that the ordinance
VIII be made to conform with those
winch have been approved by the SUI
preme courts in the states of Washing
ton. Kansas and New York
Validity OF the present city ordinance
Is IN no way questioned by this action,
and Judge Hicks will proceed to collect
from the contractors through the city
lot all those who have been deprived of
tneir legal rate OF pay. that is, the diff
Terence between the $50 prescribed in
the ordinance and what wac artaas nv
pald by contractors doing work for the
City and County of Denver.
Severe Penalties to Be Attached.
Nhiie general penalty Is provided
Tor violation of any and all city orSli-
nanees, it is the purpose to attace peu-
altles to this Particular ordinance that
VIII for all time heneeforth REQUIRE CON-
tractors to obey its terms to the letter
and guarantee to each laborer on every
payday his full amount without being
compelled to camp ON the city hall steps
until the contract is completed and then
get 1t from what may be held back by
the commissioner OF improvements.
The amendment to be submitted TO
council will provide a penalty of 500
Tor the first violation in each individual
case 500 for the second aud $500 for
the third. together with jail sentence
ut the discretion of the court CITY At
torney Stevens has signified his willing
ness To concur in such an amendment
Each member of the council at MONDAYS
meeting gave expression to the wish for
enforcement OF the ordinance. so that
no opposition is anticipated from this
source.
VIII Garry Emergency Clause.
When the amendment i adopted it
VIII carry an emergency clause making
II siteetiNe at once, 50 that all existing
and future contracts for muuicipal
work will come under its provisions.
The Seattle city ordinance. which i
similar to the one in Denver. except a.
to placing specific penalties for VIOLA
tons. has been sustained by the courts
and there can be no question but what
the ordinance as amended will prove ef-
ieetive in eliminating the trouble that
has existed in this city with contractors
since the law was adopted in 1912.
Al Mondays meeting OF the city coun-
Gu committees were present represent
ing the Trades and Labor Assembly,,
Building Trades Council. Union Iab..I
League and the United Laborers. A
later conference with Judge Hicks re-
suited in decision TO submit am
amendment carrying penalty for vio-
,aton OF the ordinances as to wages or
hours OF labor