Denver labor bulletin., 1915-04-10
CIVIC FEDERATION
HEARS LABOR TALK
Industrial Relations Proframa
Feature Of Monthly Meeting
President Houston Of Trades Assembly
Gives Outline ofWhat Labor Unlsas
Are Dsinf for Msmbers' Interests

President Clint c. Houston of the Den
yer Trades and Labor Assembly deliv-
cred an address at the monthly meet
ing of the Civic Federation, held in the
garden room of the Metropole hotel Mon
day. The speaking followed q luncheon,
and others who spoke were Mrs. Gather
inc B. Van Deusen, secretary of the state
minimum wage board; Dr.. B. T. AID
ridge. pastor of the First Congregational
church. Chicago, and Miss E S. Ackroyd,
secretary employment bureau of the
Young Woman's Christian association.
The program was in charge of the in
dustrial committee of the federation, Of
which the Rev. d. II. Fouse is chair
man
President Houston said there are l25
separate and distinct labor organiza-
tions in this city, as shown by the di-
rectory published each week in the Den
yer Labor Bulletin, comprising approx
imately $1,000 members, men and wom-
en-, who fix their scale Of wages, hours
and conditions of labor He told the
federation that each cent of increase in
wages and every minutes reduction in
toiling hours, had been secured not
through philanthropy of the employing
class. but by organized effort of the
workers.
Organized Labor has no quarrel with
organized capital or corporations as now
constituted further than to insist that
the employees be justly and fairly treat
ed, and assured a wage that will provide
some of the Injuries of life and 1eisusre
hours for home comforts and recrea-
tion. 1--WE insist that employers shall
coneede the right of their employees TO
organize. for without organization they
become slaves of the master employing
Glass; said the speaker without or
ganization they are unable to gain recog-
milton and benefit OF laws enacted for
labor's protection
President Houston told his hearers
that organized women workers of Den
yer receive a much higher wage and
work under better sanitary conditions
than tho unorganized He cited the
Garment Workers, Bindery Women, To-
baeco Strippers and Mattresses as evi-
denee of this assertion, whereas the un-
organized laundry women, candy makers
and store clerks are poorly paid. and in
many instances worked long hours in
violation OF the states eight-h hour law
for women. He suggested the club wom-
en- and church people of Denver could
best help the women employees of laun-
dries and candy factories by insisting
that employers concede their right to
form trade unions OF their crafts Last
year." said Huston, "the Trades Assem-
bly, organixed union Of candy factory
workers with upward of $50 members
Proprictors of two of Deuver's largest
candy plants called their employees to-
gether and gave them the choice Of Civ
ing up their union or quitting work. 1t
is undisputcd that these girls, ~ well as
those in the laundries and and lo-cent
stores, are the poorest paid in. the city"
Organized Labor battles for the unor-
ganised. said the speaker. and II SO per
cent of an industry form n union and
Fix q scale, ii establishes the wage as
rule for all employees of q given in.
dustry.
The Denver Trades and Labor Assem-.
bly,, some years ago. secured for the po-
lice force three eight hour shifts in
stead Of two twelve-hour shifts, and now
are seeking TO have the city charter
amended by giving the city fircmen two
shifts, whereas now they are on duty
continuously Cooperation of all those
who believe in humanitarian condition.
of labor is invited and their support
urged in the May election
At close of the address number os
questions were asked and answered all
indicating close interest in the work
Of organized labor. 1t was brought ou,
that during the Industrial depression of
the past winter no members of Denver
labor unions had applied to the charity
associations for help, for the reason .hat
the unions took care of their ov,, and
were not public charges.
The Civic Federation Is n delegated
body, with representatives from the va.
rious church organizations. women's
clubs and welfare associations.