Denver labor bulletin., 1915-08-28

During the temporary cessation OF tbe
activities OF the uplifters and philan-
thropists. who are waiting for the de-
cision of the United States supreme
court upon the constitutionality OF min
imum wage legislation, it will be profit
able for the wage earners to consider
carefully the nature Of such legislation
to consider the source from which
come these insistent- demands for mill
imum wage legislation.
The heart and core of the movement
is group of professional social regi-
lators who wish 'to do things for Tor
to) the poor wage earners," and who,
while arranging their halos, feel fine
glow of personal qualification in helping
the unfortunate. In addition to this
professional group there is coterie OF
employers of unusual discernment and
keen appreciation of the policies that
will best promote their interests, which
has given its endorsement to the reg,ila-
tion OF wages in private employment by
legislation. This in itself ought to be
sufficient to arouse concern among wage
enrners, who are the persons most yitaiiy
interested in higher wages. workers
ought to receive higher wages-they
must receive higher wages-but is there
no other way than that arranged for
like prediction
There is another way by which bet
terment may come into the lives of those
who do the worlds work-thru organiza-
ton. BY organization the changes that
come into the working conditions Of the
workers correspond to the development
within the lives of the workers. As the
wage Garner catches vision OF better
things he reaches out to make them
real. He himself grows in initiative, in
assurance and in resourcefuIness.
Organization develops character. 1t
develops In the workers knowledge and
an appreciation of their power. II teaches
them their rights and reveals their oppor-
tunities. 1t develops insistence and
| resistance.
The general establishment OF regula-
tion of wages and hours of work by gov
ernmental agencies will foster and induce
dependence. 1t IL conducive to inaction
TO expecting some outside authority to
take the initiative in correcting wrongs,
preyentinp Injustice and to assume re-
sponsibility for existing conditions. II
| deprives the wage earners OF direct re-
sponsibility and power to regulate mat
| ters which vitally concern their lives
and their welfare.
A peculiar danger tnrehtens tnc "aec
earners of the United States in mini
mum wage legislation. Under our scheme
| of government the courts are ultimately
| the agents to which is entrusted the
rights and the liberties of the people.
| This makes the courts the most power
full single governmental element.
The wage earners have had some bit
ter experiences with having the courts
| interpret industrial relations. Their
assumption of the right to issue injunc-
tions to regulate labor relations in indus.
trial disputes and their Interpretation q
the Sherman anti-trust act so as to mit
law labor organizations and max, Grim
ipnl their normal activities, are warn
ings against empowering courts with nm
thority to control Industrial relations
thru court reviews and court dee'sion-
upon rulings and awarls Of labor com
missions.
After having for year, been hampered
and injured by injunccicrs that forbade
men to strike, to picket. to pay strike
benefits. to meet peacefully to discuss
theiv wrongs and methods of securing
relief; after having 'oeen denied by ths
courts constitutional and necessary
rights after the many judicial decis-