Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-22
THE SNOW GAME. ALSO FROST

1t showed Tuesday, and that means both ways.
Undoubtedly the weather man got his dates mixed.
Hearing that it was election day, he thought it
was November instead of May, hence he turned on
the cold and snow faucet, with the result that
had beautiful day for the race-that is it would
have been welcome and delightful day in the
South Sea islands where the hot weather is
bearable. While there is no question but the bad
weather had the effect OF keeping many away
from the polls, it is question il different brand
OF atmosphere would have made any real change in
the final result | said all along that | didn't be-
lieve there would be to exceed $4,000 votes cast,
and there was but little better than 10000 first
choice votes registered for the total candidates for
commissioner of property the office that attracted
the most attention.
There number OF surprises all down the
line. For the last few days it looked il the con-
test for the property place would be between
Greenee hammers and Ihum, with Greenlee
seemingly having the best OF it, owing to the
ganization people of the Democrats and Republic
ans combining on him, and Sharpley for Welfare.
Then he was supposed to have a strong support
from the patriotic organizations certain corpora
ton and business interests. And he had them all,
the result shows At that, Griffith gave him
chase for his life. and it looks to if the
Democrats corked themselves by not getting be-
hind Griffith hammers, who subscribe to that
faith. They could have made three out OF
five commissioners. with Pitcher also leaning
strongly toward the Democrats. Griffith's great
strength came from second and third choice votes.
But presume the cards stacked so that the
Democrats didn't want control OF the city gov
ernment completely and thus relieve the situation
for those bows who have been away from the pie
counter for some little time. Perhaps the mem
bers OF that party may wake up some time to
what some OF their alleged leaders hand them
The race made by c. A. hammers was the most
surprising OF all. He beat Greenlee on frstchoce
votes about 40. To my mind he could have been
put across il several things had not combined
against him. / believe the sinking OF the Lusitania
Il. Il. = =. H.
was born in Germany. yet he is American cit
izen. and is loyal to the country OF his adoption
to the fullest measure, and | am sure he has no
sympathy with the warfare methods OF the
Kaiser. Yet know many people who openly SAID
they would not vote for him because he was
German. Such view is not tenabe and unfair,
but it had its effect, and believe cost him his
election ii his campaign managers had him come
out with published Reputation of the affair, it
would have helped greatly. especially in view OF
the religious question that entered in the race
which also extended to those OF foreign birth.
Many trades unionists gave hammers first-choce
votes, and much larger number one OF the other
Choices 1t would have been to their benefit to
have helped him with the later in the light
OF the general result. he has always been strong
and friendly to organized labor. He my
ond choice, and | would have reioiced at his elec
ton to Thum. hammers certainly need not
be ashamed oi the showing he made in his first
journey into the political field.
| confess greatly disappointed at the
showing made by Otto 1hum. who ran fifth 1t
was expected that he would draw considerable
strength from several sources outside OF organized
labor, enough to put him But all signs. eN
pectatons, hopes. and wishes. to fail in wet
weather | really believe that so per cent OF his
vote was cast by members OF organized labor and
their families. True quite number OF influential
workers in the ranks openly opposed him for va
rious reasons that are not necessary to mention
here The day is done and gone. Labor had the
opportunity elect OF its kind to an office
where he could do much for them. but failed, and
whatever the result in the future it will have to
bear the brunt.
1hum was handicapped some because OF his
being classed as a trades unionist. There is no
question that there is feeling in Denver and
Colorado against union holding political OF
ce. and here a chance to again swat one OF
that lk He refused to trade off the future for
the present. l positively know of offer he
turned down from high place, where he could
have had the support OF Republican faction but
in return he to agree to use his influence III
the poll OF 1910 to get the labor support Tor the
Republican state and national ticket 1t prac-
ticallv meant election for Thum. but he refused to
even consider it. You will note that Thum
third in frst-choicc votes too. That means much.
Otto Thum has cause to feel ashamed OF the
race he made. He was an honest and upright man
in the office he filled and the labor people will
sadly miss him when he steps out.
The other candidates. aside from those men
toned for this place, except Macy, didn't get
very far. Hoggat hardly got past the pole. His
| supporter nearly made a joke OF his candidacy by