Denver labor bulletin., 1915-04-10
b. SAMUEL coNpERs.

The American Federation OF LABOR -
not in favor Of fixing, by legal enact
ment. certain minimum wages. The at
tempts of the government to establish
wages at which wotkmen may work, &C.
cording to the teachings of history, will
result in q long era of Industrial slavery.
There was time in English history
when the government and the courts in
quarter sessions established wages. Dur
ing periods when there was q dearth of
workmen and employers offered higher
wages, both the workmen and employers
were brought into court and punished
by imprisonment and physical mutila-
tion because the one asked, received, or
demanded. and the other was willing to
offer. or did pay, higher wages.
There is now a current movement to
increase wages by a proposal 70 deter
mine n minimum wage by political au-
thorities. It is n maxim in law that
once court is given Jurisdiction over
an individual il has the power, the field,
and authority TO exercise that jurisdic-
tion. Il fear the Greeks even when
they bear gifts" An attempt to en-
trap the American workmcn into n spe-
cies of slavery, under guise of an offer
OF this character Is resented by the
men and women of the American trade
union movement
When the question Of fixing, by legal
enactment, minimum wages for women
was before the Executive Council Of the
A. r. of L. for investigation and dis
cussion. and subsequently, before the con-
vention OF the A. r. Of L., there was q
great diversion of views. / am betray-
ing no confidence when / say that The
official decision of the convention was
that the subject was worthy Of further
discussion and consideration. In my
Judgment the proposal to establish by
law 4 minimum wage for women. though
well meant 10 curb upon the rights,
the natural development, and the op-
portunity for development Of the women
employed in tile industries OF our coun-
Try.
n the legislature should once fix
minimum wage Il would have the oppor-
tunity 20 use the machinery of the state
TO enforce work az that rate whether the
workers desired 10 render services or
not. I am very Suspicious of the activi-
ties OF governmental agencies. / apprc-
hend that once the state Is allowed TO
fix a minimum rate, the state would
also take the right TO compel men or
women to work at that rate. / have
some apprehension that II the lcgisia-
tGre were allowed TO establish n maxi
mum ~ofkday ii might also compel
worlsmen TO work up 20 the maximum
allowed. ought TO say. however. that
am in favor OF the legal enactment
fixing the maximum hours Of labor for
ali workmcn In direct government en-
pIoyment and for thoee who work for
contractors substituted for government
al authority.
The A. +. Of l.. il in favor OF fixing
the maximum number Of hours of work
for children. minors, and women II
does not favor = legal limitation Of the
workday for adult workers. The un-
ions have very largely established the
shorter workday by their own initiative,
power and influence; they have done Il
for themselves. The A. r. OF l.. IL
opposed TO limiting, by legal authority.
the hours Of work her men in private
industries. The A. 7. Of Il has appre.
hcnsions as To tho wisdom Of placing In
the hands Of the government additional
powers which may be used to the dct-
riment OF the working people. II par
ticularly opposes this policy when the
things eau be done by the workmcn-
themselves.
II - in favor of n uniform shorter
workday aud would encourage and help
affiliated organizations TO secure II by
collective bargaining and other methods
employed by labor unions. For instance,