Denver labor bulletin., 1915-10-09
o.
Where Will 1t Lead :?

| Inc Rockefeller proposition to his employees
has been made public. Doubtless most of
readers are familiar with its provisions. AS was
to be expected, those who in the employ of the
fuel company voted practically unanimously for
acceptance and the directors of the company did
| likewise, and there seems nothing left but to put
1t INTO working order Considerable comment from
various sources has ensued anent the proposition.
| nose who are opposed to union labor, luke
| warm, think it is the real thing. Naturally the
United Mine Workers, at least those who pre-
sumo to speak with authority, little good
IN the proposition, as it does not give recognition
| to the union.
| To my mind Rockefeller could have gone
| point further and thrown down the bars COM
pletely and told the they could join the union.
lie has gone SO far that when they tire of all the
provisions set out and bump up against snag
| two, there will be but way out, and that is
craft organization that will come to their aid and
there is but one place for them to go in such
event, and that is to the United Mine Workers.
In such event the Rockefeller interests will
be face to face with the problem, and make the
guess that having gone far to say that there
is no bar against an employe belonging to any
society. fraternity or organization, they will be adj
verse to flying into the face of public sentiment by
bucking. organization. If my deductions are
sound it seems to me that the situation could have
been infinitely worse Of course it will take some
time to try out the new scheme and get it in
ming order, and there may be real discord
friction for some time. In the meantime the
leaven of unionism has been set and is likely to
be kept warm by mine worker organizers in
the pan in the right direction.
Much OF the success of the plan will depend upon
the petty and straw bosses of the fuel company.
One of the points upon which stress was laid by
Mr.. Rockefeller that would be dis
crimnated against because of his union
tions past affiliations. Charges have been
peatedy made by former employees who sought
work alter the strike was called Off, that they
given chance especially when they were not
charged with violence. and Superintendent Welt
eel and other officials say there is nothing to this
|
charitable enough to believe that Weitzcl and the
higher ups know nothing OF such incidents because
the sub and straw officials who do the real mine
hiring and firing mighty careful to that
their petty prosecutions don't to the knowl-
edge of their supervisors. 1t is quite likely that
number of members OF the United Mine Workers
will apply for work believing the Rockefeller pro-
| nuncimento is on the square, and if they find they
again getting the hook the people OF the state
will be made to believe that the much heralded
reform was only sop to appease public criticism.
| Personally am of the opinion that young Rock
efeer wants end the turfoil and trouble and has
! been led to believe that his scheme will pick the
winning number. ! think he has gone far the
road to an ultimate recognition of trades unions
| in his industries, not alone in Colorado but else
where. He reads the signs of the times much bet
ter than the average, and has taken advantage of
the situation to put on a raincoat. II he goes thru
with his program and doesn't flv back, he GER
tainly is going to give great impetus to the
ganzed labor movement OF the country wherever
his industries located for certain it is, all his
|
for Colorado is not any too good for them, and
accordingly.
| have this criticism to offer regarding Mr..
Rockeeller's visit that brought about his plan 1t
was natural that he should surround himself with
the daily press boys so as to give the occasion
and situation the proper send off and prepare the
public. 1t was the thing to do consult with the
leading citizens OF the various sections of the state
| Naturally he should visit his in their camps
| and kiss the babies dance with the ladies and act
| as good-natured human being and first hand
what was what As matter OF course and for
| his information his supcrintendents and foremcn
should be on hand. and all the rest But think
he would have profitted even more had he inter
| viewed and questioned many members OF organ
lied labor who. while in deep sympathy with the
| United Mine Workers, not blinded partisans,
and are in possession of many facts that he
/ able to learn, and could have offered him sugges-
tions that might have even proven of interest. if
not benefit to him.
| / want to see his plan given fair trial in Colo
| RADIO so we where it leads to- But unless he
| and Superintendent Weitze1 see to it that those
| below who hope to gain place and power, or de-
sire to vent personal spite by discrimination and
| favoritsm, the proposition is going to go over a
| pretty rocky road. And it is up to them to see
that all such licksptles get their time slips in short
| order
| 1t also looks to if Rockefeller was pre-
pairing to go some toward getting in harmony with
| public sentiment of Colorado and gather in the
i.ti~ %t,a SC