Denver labor bulletin., 1916-08-19

III NclNtullpL +ASStlIlb4tN siI Ntlpi duO
Springs, Colo, Aug. Is, 1916.
Gentlemen--Having been elected a
delegate from Denver Typographical
Union to the sixty-second session of the
international at Baltimore, it is impos-
sible for your president to be with you
on this occasion of your fourth annual
meeting-the L I. L. convention con
vcuing tomorrow.
However, | wish to be considered as
with you in spirit today, and trust TINS
meeting may prove beneficial to the af.
filiated unions and all locals and their
membership in this intermountain Sec
tion.
In spite of general business depression
for portion OF the past year, the Typo.
graphical unions of this district have
Jared very well-increased wage scales
have been gained in some instances, old
contracts renewed in others, but in no
case has u reduction in wages occurred.
The fact OF your president, first vice
president and secretary treasurer, each
as a delegate or visitor, being in Balti-
more attending the ]. T. u. convention
at the date scheduled for this meeting,
and Second Vice President Ira Bacon Of
Albuquerque having accepted a position
with n linotype company, which Keeps
him out of the jurisdiction of this con.
ference much of the time, brought about
a rather unusual state of affairs. I'm
der the circumstances, your president
was of the opinion he was justified in
calling the executive committee togeth-
er to discuss the situation. We held a
meeting at Colorado Springs, Sunday,
July 8, and after lengthy discussion
it was decided to issue the call for this
meeting of the conference.
Much frnn1 yyorl- ba haar opcornD1ishaI
at a minimum expense by the confer.
ence the past year.
Employment Bureau a Success.
The employment bureau feature alone
would seem to Justify the existence of
the organization. 1t has been the means
Of connecting many unemployed mem
bers of the Typographical Union with
good country situations: the outside
state publishers of Colorado, Wyoming
and New Mexico have come to look upon
the plan with considerable favor and
have made their requests for printers
freely, and in practically all instances
their wants have been satisfactorily sup
piled.
One important feature in this connec-
tion is deserving of your consideration.
With little blaring of trumpets the
conference, thru this plan, is gradually
raising the wage scale in nearly every
unorganized town to conform with the
cities in which we have locals. Employ
ers in these outside places are realizing
that the most competent workmen are
affiliated with the I. T. U. To secure
their services, living wages must be paid,
and many of them have so arranged their
business and cost sheets that now they
can employ competent help and pay ao-
cordingly. Requests for printers at
wages from 500 to $3.50 per week on
country Jobs have not been uncommon
the past year.
And another point should not be over
looked. Formerly the nine-hour day was
general in the outside towns. The con-
ference does not furnish men on nine
hour basis. Result: Practically all
country towns in this jurisdiction now
work an eight-hour day.
In his report last year your president
said:
THE welfare of the unemployed men,
bers of our craft is a subject that mer
its the most careful consideration OF
this conference and all locals of the I.
T. U. Your president is one of those
who believe that the man walking the
street is at all times protecting the man
who has job. He it is who declines
to work at less than the scale and fire.
ouently undergoes hardships and makes
sacrifices that are quite unknown to
many fortunate ones who have seldom,
if ever, been placed in a similar posi-
ton.
"There are many desirable country sit
uations in the three states embraced in
the jurisdiction of this conference, and
many union men who willingly would ac.
cept these positions One OF the prob.
lens before us is to bring the man and
the Job together.
Il would again urge that more atten-
tion and publicity be given this impor-
tant subject"
The above quotation applies now and
should be given careful consideration.
While some new affiliations have been
secured the past year, all locals in the
three states have not as yet become a
part and parcel of this movement. Mem.
bers Of these unaffiliated locals, and in
some instances employers in their
cities, have requested the conference for
situations or men TO fill situations.
Your officers have played no favorites
and have endeavored to comply with al!
requests, but it would seem that yon-
affiliated locals should come in and bear
their Just share Of the small expense at
tached TO a movement Of this character.
Printing Industry Improves.
The printing industry the past six
months in this Western country, and
for the past year in the Eastern districts,
has shown material increase in bust
ness, and it is fair to assume that the
next year should be q prosperous O.
for the trade.
In preparing wage scales during this
period We should not fail TO take ad
vantage of the uptun in the labor mar
ket, as the employers seldom fail to buy