Denver labor bulletin., 1915-12-11

last fall would apply to Denver as well
as the rest of the state, and thus We
are all booked for nice, long ride on
the water wagon beginning Saturday
January l, 1916.
When this law goes into effect it is
going to work hardship on a great
many members OF organized labor. AL
ready the Brewery Workers have been
hit and the breweries have been gradu-
ally laying off men, and from this time
on to the end of the present year will
cut down even more, although they are
running about as short handed now as
possible. Altogether the move will af-
feet upwards of thousand members OF
this organization in Denver alone. Many
have already left town or gone into
other lines of industry, but large mum
ber are yet idle and those who are let
out at the last will be without employ
ment at a bad time of the year.
There are three union of Brewery
Workers that are hit hard, namely,
Brewers, Masters and Coopers' Union
No. "A; Beer Drivers, Stablemen and
Firemen's Union No. SO, and Beer Bot
tiers Union No. S. Soda Bottlers' and
Drivers Union No. $50, may be affected,
but not to any great extent.
The next to suffer to a great extent
! will be the members of Bartenders Union
No. s. They have felt the effect ever
since the vote in 1914, by men being
layed off, but with the closing OF the
saloons will come the folding of their
aprons for good in Denver Many have
gone to other fields, and it is quite like
ly that two-thirds of those left will also
be compelled to seek other climates or,
| if they remain here, will be forced to
seek other employment. There are near
ly 200 members of No. s yet on the
rolls.
Walters Union No. IA will also be hit
pretty hard, as a large number OF the
members of that organization found
employment in cafes where liquor was
sold.
Cooks Union No. Is is in about the
same position as No. ID, and large
number of the members will be thrown
out of jobs.
1t is also thought that the tidal dry
wave will effect number of members
Of Cigarmakers' Union No. l25, as n
large proportion of union made cigars
were sold in saloons and cafes. OF
course, if the dry people will call for
"cigars with the label' at cigar stores
u
may not suffer as much as expected.
Engineers Union No. also is heavy
sufferer through the closing down OF
the breweries. About 10 per cent OF
their membership is employed in the
breweries, and the brewery engineer is
of exceptionally high skill, and there
fore good wages have always been paid
to this class of engineers. Some of the
most skilled men in this union will be
thrown out of work by the closing down
of the breweries, and therefore the blow
falls as hard on the Engineers as any
union outside of the Brewery Workers
and Bartenders.
Musicians Union No. 90 Will quite
likely suffer to quite a little extent, as
many members of that organization
found employment in cafes and hotels
where alcoholic beverages were dispensed
amid song and laughter, and it is not
thought that grape juice or near beer
or belly wash" will be sold in sufficient
quantities in these places to warrant the
rendering of music to wash it down.
There are great many working peo-
PIE in Denver, not organized, who have
found work in places where liquor was
sold, such as porters, ice men, various
kinds of statesmen, etc, that will be
thrown out of work. 1t is safe to say
that in this town more than 5000 wage
earners will be separated from regular
pay checks after December 81, 1915.
Then there is going to be the financial
loss to the meat, ice, lemon, bread, milk,
soft drinks, bottle, whisky, wine, beer
and many other dealers who have had
large business dealings with the saloons.
The Water Company, Telephone Com
| h. -. O.
will get an awful jolt, it being said the
latter company will lose about $50, 900
in business from signs and lighting
alone.
Also, think what the property owners
will lose in rents and what the owners
of saloons and fixtures will be short,
to say nothing of the loss to the city in
revenues. But the dear taxpayer will
have to make that up, no matter what
happens.
Blu the deed is done, and the greatest
direct sufferers will be great number
of members of organized labor, who will
be deprived of an opportunity to earn
a livelihood.
In speaking of the result of the de.
cision William Koch, secretary and bust.
ness agent of the Denver Brewery Work.
ers' organizations, says:
"Our organization will not take any
steps toward recalling the decision. One
of our international officers will be here
about January and we will discuss the
matter and may take steps to have the
question of repeating the amendment
submitted at the November election
Nothing will be gained by attempting to
recall the decision. Let us try the law
out so the people can see what will hap
pen and then we will try to have IL
repealed.
Over 400 employees in the breweries