Denver labor bulletin., 1916-01-29
The Open Forum
No C. F. & I. Hospital at Sunrise.
Sunrise, Wyo., January rs, 1915.


Editor Denver Labor Bulletin:
Press reports, widely circulated, repre-
sent that an emergency hospital isibeing
built at Sunrise, Wyo. The statement
is attributed to the president of the Colo
RADIO Fuel & Iron Company, who is said
to have cited this as an instance of the
, work his company is doing to improve
conditions in its camps. Those who de-
sire to know the truth should be in
formed that no hospital of any sort is
being built at Sunrise.
In fairness to the company, it should
be said that the people of Sunrise have
been told that hospital will be erected
within a few months, and that the work
of erection will begin next spring.
In fairness, on the other hand, to the
company's employees at Sunrise, it should
be said that in times past the company
has failed to live up to similar promises
Instances abound by way of illustration.
Sanitary drinking fountains for the
Sunrise public schools were provided in
the spring of 1914. The Ladies' Club
was active in this effort to do away
with the open buckets and disease-carry
ing dippers. The company promised to
provide water for the fountains. Two
summers have passed and the children
are going thru the second winter in
school with the fountains unused. The
company, repeatedly urged, has failed to
keep it's promise to pipe water into the
school buildings.
Ever since Sunrise camp was estab-
lished, thirteen years ago, its people have
wished for baseball ground where all
might go to enjoy the games. The COM
pany promised to provide them with
I'll fnr tha If
July 4, 1915. 1t is now the middle of
January, 1916. The company's promise
has not been kept.
Mention might be made at great length
OF houses that have not been repaired,
and other cases where the company has
failed to live up to it's obligations. Even
in respect to this very matter of an
emergency hospital, the past holds its
disappointment. Plans for such build
ing were drawn up year sago, and
nothing came of it.
The people of Sunrise are willing to
be patient. Despite misgivings, they
hope that the present promises of the
company to erect an emergency hospital
and other much-needed community
buildings will be kept. Also that there
will be no forgetfulness of promises to
create sewer system, to grant needed
repairs for dwellings, and to provide Sin
ders or something of the sort for side
walks. Where so much is needed, it is
fair to allow a reasonable length of
time for the company to accomplish
something.
There is no desire to withhold any
credit due the company. Within the
past few months the company has ad-
justed grievances of long standing, and
has dealt with its employees more con-
siderately than ever before. Everyone
in Sunrise desires that the present year
may see the company's promises of i'm
provement come to fulfillment.
Boasting, however, is at present pre-
mature. Promises only, constitute the
response made to community needs thus
| far. The various fraternal lodges OF
Sunrise camp, including two organiza-
tions of women, are compelled to meet
in a room over the company's stables.
Owing to much inflammable material be-
meath. the place would be a death trap
in case of fire. Twice the people Of
Sunrise have petitioned the company to
grant them a hall, inasmuch as the com
pany refuses them the right to build for
themselves. The company promises to do
SO But when will the hall be builtY
Even in regard to the widely advertised
hospital, beginning at erection has not
been made.
DANIEL s. M'CORKLE,
Minister Sunrise Presbyterian Church.