Denver labor bulletin., 1916-03-11
BY E. H. MISNER
General Organizer International Associa-
ton of Machinists.

ton of Machinists.
On December /, 1915, the union ma
chinists OF Denver gave the shop owners
thirty days notice, in compliance with
the new industrial law OF the state, OF
demand for an eight hour day, with 40
cents per hour as u minimum wage rate
Alter the thirty days had passed, the
State Industrial Commission called IN the
shop owners and committee represent
ing the Machinists Union. Several con-
ferences were held between the union
committee and the representatives OF the
contract shops, composed of Mr.. Denton
OF the Vulcan Iron Works, Mr.. Box OF
the Dillon q Box company, and Mr..
Stearns OF the Stearns- Roger company.
Several propositions were offered by both
sides, the owners offering 40 cents per
hour and nine hour day, and the union
committee offering counter proposition
OF 81 2-3 cents per hour, waving the
question OF hours for the time being and
agreeing to work nine hours.
The employers refused to grant this
and the union refused to accept the 40
cents per hour Offered by the shop own
ers, and this resulted in a deadlock. The
Industrial Commission was then consult
ed by the union representatives concern
ing the forms hearing, and were advised
to wait few days in order to give the
commission an opportunity to confer
with the employers and try and effect a
satisfactory settlement OF the affair.
After several days the committees of
the union an, employers were called into
the office OF the commission at the state
capitol and further endeayor made to
reach an amicable agreement, Mr.. Scar
ing OF the Denver Engineering Works
aupeAriug for the EMPLOYERS.
1t was suggested at this meeting that
another proposition be offered the en-
ployers thru the commission. This was
done. The last proposition offered by
tho Machiuists was a. follows; Begin
ming March ], 1915. they would work
: a-4 hours per day for three months; be-
ginning june J, 1916. they would work
sls hours for three months; beginning
September ], 1916. they would work IA
hour. and beginning December !, 1916,
they would work : hours per day and
thereafter. and that the minimum rate
of pay be $500 per day during the life
OF the agreement
This proposition also was turned down
BY the employers, 20 the Machinsts had
nothing to do but ask that the commi--
sion proceed with the investigation and
give i decision.
On February p all parties were in
formed TO appear for the hearing. Sew
cral OF the employers appeared with their
attorney. Mr.. George Mauley, whose rec
ord in opposition to union labor Is well
known IN Denver, and a committee from
the Machinists also was in attendance.
Mr.. Manlcy entered a motion to quash
the notice against the Denver Engineer
ing Works, giving many reasons for do
ing 50. The commission had Attorney
General Farrar present, and the meeting
was adjourned by the commission to
take the matter under advisement, ana
met next day to give a decision and the
ruling OF the attorney general
At the next meeting the attorney gem
eral made ruling and the commission
gave notice to all parties that it would
proceed with the case the next day, ac-
cording to the attorney generals ruling.
MIR Manley gave the commission to un-
derstand that he would not be present
the next day, but would fight the case
to the end and If necessary carry II to
the highest court. The main objection
was 10 bringing the books OF the shop
owners into the hearing. This was a
I surprise TO the commission and the un-
ion committee, as the shop owners had,
on former occasions. Offered to allow the
commission to look into their books. The
whole procedure of the shop owners and
their attorney seemed to be a desire to
delay the hearing and do everything pos
siblc to block the operation of the law.
There are some features connected
with the industrial law that we do not
favor. but we felt that the best thing
/ for us to do was to give it fair trial
and see if il would benefit all parties
concerned We have no fault to find
with the commissioners, as they seemed
TO be perfectly fair in their dealings with
all parties: but we have n few things to
say concerning the law as it looks to us
at this time, We went into this matter
with clean hands, but we have our doubts
as to the other side. II the law has not
done anything else, it has shown the
commission and others some of the
methods used to provoke the workers.
/ Whenever a merchant or n shop owner
desires to raise the price on their goods
or product, no one interfercs with them,
but just let the laboring class attempt
to raise the price in their labor power,
the state, the merchants and shop own
ers Immediately enter objections. and do
everything possible to stop it. We feel
that if it is right for the state TO demand
an investigation into our demands for
more pay, it is right for the state TO in
vcstigate all increases in commodity
prices and other things connected with
the public. II it is right for the govern
ment TO investigate the condition of
of a bank and to set the freight and pas,