Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-12
The Optimistic
Philosopher


P.'s sanctum one day this week, soon
after his return from the biennial con-
yention of the United Mine Workers OF
America in indianapolis. He expressed
confidence that the miners would secure
wage agreements and working conditions
demanded in both the anthracite and bt,
luminous fields. Business is boomiagR
in every line OF industry back East,
said McLennan, "and there is constant
call for more workers. Our convention
was the most progressive ever held by
the miners, and the organization as
whole is in splendid shape. The wage
conferences now being held to present
the scales adopted, between committees
of the union and the operators, give
every promise of reaching satisfactory
conclusions. Our demand for an increase
OF 10 to 90 per cent is fully justified by
business conditions, and unquestionably
will be granted without much trouble.
The conventions decision that the min
ers continue work pending these confer
ence, if they extend beyond April l,
when the present contract expires, had a
good effect and will aid materially in
reaching a new agreement" Speaking
of the Colorado situation as to miners,
SlcLennan said: we will 20 on with
the work OF organization in this state,
and within two years the coal miners of
Colorado will be as generally unionized
as they are in Wyoming, Iowa, Indiana,
Ohio and Illinois. Conditions here are
much better for us than they were a
year ago, and considerable progress Is
now being made in the way of organi-
zation."
II has been suggested that Congress
man Ben c. Hilliard, who is also a mem
Der OF the Denver public school board,
secure fast flying arooplane in which
TO make monthly Journeys between this
city and Washington. He has declared
his intention OF attending each regular
monthly or called meeting of the board.
regardless Of expense. and gave proof of
this by coming from Washington for a
board meeting Wednesd ay The straight
line areoplanc distance between the two
cities i about 500 miles, and at 100.
mile-nn-b hour clip be would only miss one
days session OF Congress. whereas by
rail the round trip consumes approx
matcly one week. Ben saws his great
love for the people Of Denver. who have
20 signally honored him. makes n ques-
tion of personal convenience a small mat
ter when response to his several official
duties call him hithcr and thither. b.
IL in the halls OF Congress or the board
meeting room in the Fast Denver High
School building.
In recent years the rank and file Of
labor organizations have become more
critical of the personal department OF
their national and state officials. Being
a good fellow" TO the extent Of booxing
up with the boys no longer makes hit,
even with those who assist In the high.
ball or cocktail sport. Then. in this day,
there are comparatively few booye fight
ers among the rank and file Of labor or.
ganizations. That national officials NJ,
being held more stictly to nccount in this
respect was demonstrated Mt the recent
convention OF the United Mine Worker
in indianapolis. A resolution was
adopted that "any officer or employc Of
any branch OF the United Mine Workers
of America seen in a state of intoxica-
ton while ON duty shall upon conyic-
tion, be at once removed from his posi-
tion by the proper authority having
Jurisdiction over such officer or en-.
ploye.' Under the constitution. before
II was amended. drunken officer or
employe could be removed only when
seen intoxicated in public while ON duty
Under the amendment. however. drunk.
enness in public at any time il cause
for dismissal.
90:
Further evidence that IL ia a rare
privilege TO live in Colorado was given
this week when Tristan u. Peck, aged
", veteran Of the Civil war. was
granted divorce by District Judge
Charles c. Butler. The aged man, with
flowing white beard which reaches TO
ms waist line, and snow-white hair,
made n striking picture as he took thvu;
t,. -
lie related how his wife had lcftahim
one day while he and his youns non
were out working for n living. how he
searched for her for years and finally
heard that she had died He married
again Last September, like a voice
from the grave, Peck received n letter
from his wife. She was in Arizona. She
demanded that he recognize her as his
wife so that she might receive his psn.
SION after his death and nm income from
u during his lifetime. The old man be.
came frightened when he realized that
ne had Two wives. He consulted n law
yer. divorce from the first wife was
advised as the best thing to do. with
the entering of the decree in the case
the long missing wife will no longer be
entitled to any Of PeclS's pension. In
addition, the old mans fear that he
PEELED.
80
My clerical friend, Dean II. Martyn
Hart OF St Johns Episcopal church, who
~ still seeking location for n temper.
ance borroom to provide loafing place
for the Lnrimer street habitucs deprived
OF club comforts when the prohibition
inw went Into effect January l, should
dircct his attention to the success
acheved along real humanitarian lines
by Fnther Timothy Dcmscy of 81 1n,,,s
Inst Ycar Enihct- Da..,aa..