Denver labor bulletin., 1915-08-21
Lindquist Strike Brings
Employees Into Union
One Hundred and Fifty Sign Charter
Application atEnthusiastiC Meet
ing Held Monday Night

One hundred and fifty determined and
enthusiastic adult employees OF the Lind
quist Cracker and Candy company met
in Gyllestine hall, 1904 Walnut street,
Monday night and perfected the organi-
zation of union to be chartered under
the Bakery and Confectionery Workers
international Union OF America. This
action was the outcome OF strike the
week previous to resist a wage reduction
OF 20 per cent, the trouble having been
at least temporarily adjusted by the
state industrial commission and the en-
ployes returned to work with the pro-
posed wage cut restored. The workers
realized. however. that without united
action a labor union they were at the
mercy OF the company. recently re-or-
gsnized after the deaths OF the founder.
Carl Liudquist. and his son
Monday nights meeting WAS presided
over by Organizer Earl K. Hoage OF the
Trades and Labor Assembly. and Vii
liam Koch OF the Assembly Committee
ON Organization acted a temporary sec
retary. Ray Lowderback. secretary and
business agent OF local Bakery Workers
Union No. 26. was present and explained
the laws OF the international union gov
erning new unions. Clint c. Houston.
editor OF The Labor Bulletin. delivered Il
brief address in which he impressed the
Importance and benefit to the workers OF
organization
Good Feeling Prevailed
The assemblage in the hall. ouly two
blocks from the factory. was made up
OF nearly POO employees. about equally
divided as to men and women workers
All We're enthusiastic over the prospect
of becoming members OF a labor union
and being a part OF the general move
ment for the elevation of the workers
1t was said that 30 far the management
of the company has Indicated no opposi-
tion to the employees joining union. It
was predicted that the employees OF two
other large cracker factories in Denver
would soon follow the precedent thus
esta hlished and join this union or form
another one. 1t is estimated there are
about 500 cracker and candy workers
employed in the various factories of
Denver. all of whom are becoming alive
to the need OF organizing and acting
unitedly-
The organizing committee OF the As
sembly has already received requests
from employees of other factories to as
>ist them in perfecting union. and this
viii soon be taken up by Organizer
Hoage and other members of the COM
mittee.
Election of Officers
When the order of business was
reached for election OF officers OF the
new union. which i to be known as
Cracker Bakers and Confectionery Work
ers. there was a good natured contest
for the various positions. From four to
six candidates We're placed in nomination
for nearly every office. and the election
was not concluded until IL o'clock The
women. however. were modest and while
several Were suggested in each instance
they declined TO run. saving they wanted
the men to start the organization going
and might get in the race for positions
later. Those selected are as follows:
President-R Richard Webster.
Vice President-William Hannah.
Recording and Corresponding Secretary
-George Whiting.
Financial Secretary and Treasurer
Robert McGrath-
Sergeant at Arms Harry Anderson.
Delegates Trades and Labor Assembly
Richard Webster, William Hannah and
Alice Nelson.
Funds to secure u charter and supplies
We're raised among those present. and
this. with list OF charter members,
was at once forwarded TO headquarters
of the International Bakery Workers
Union in Chicago.
Another meeting OF the union will BE-
held in Gyllestine hall Monday night and
weekly meetings Will probably BE- con-
tinued for Il month. or until the organ
iEation perfects details and gets its bus
iness in good working order.