Denver labor bulletin., 1916-06-24


OF representation in the grand lodge,
there having been movement for some
time to reduce the number of delegates
The present arrangement is that each
lodge has one delegate, which means that
the number OF delegates to this grand
lodge convention is s44. 1t was decided
that the law providing for this arrange
ment should remain as it is at present.
President Given Wider Powers.
The power of the president was ex-
tended in employing counsel to defend
men charged with criminal negligence be-
cause OF wrecks, there being, however, no
material change made from the present
law in that particular. Sometimes pub
lie prosecutors, evidently with a view of
making it appear that train service en-
ployes are at fault in wrecks, institute
criminal proceedings against them, pos
sihly at the instigation of the railroad
company involved, when as a matter OF
fact they are entirely blameless- It is
with a view Of putting a stop to this
practice that the convention thus en-
larged the power of the president
The convention has increased the sal
aries of the grand lodge officers as fol-
lows:
Officers Receive More Money
crease OF $500 per year, each having been
raised from $4,000 to s4,5OO. The editor
and manager of the magazine received an
increase of $500 per year, his salary be-
ing raised from 1000 to 81 500. The
general medical examiner received an in
crease OF 81 l,0U0. his salary being raised
from $4,000 to 5000.
In addition to this the convention pro-
vided that the per diem expense allow
ance of the officers be raised from 50 90
to 500 per day. This is for hotel ex-
penses only, all other expenses such as
railroad fare telephone, telegraph, bus
hire, etc, being paid by the organization
in addition to the $500 per diem
Communications were received from
the governors of New Mexico and Ari-
zona expressing their approval of the
eight hour and time and one-half for
overtime movement in which the four
great train service labor organizations
are engaged. The communications were
accepted with expressions of warm ap-
preciation on the part of the convention.
Four General Organizers.
a letter was received from Assistant
President Shea, who has been represent
ing President Carter at the New York
eight-hour day conference with railroad
managers, to the effect that he hoped to
be able to visit the convention before its
adjournment.
The convention provided for the ap-
Polntment OF four general organizers TO
aid in and supplement the work of the
local organizers. there being one local or
ganizcr now maintained for every
lodge There have been general organ.
izers put in the field from time to time
heretofore, but this provides for n per.
manent arrangement whereby local or.
ganizers and general organizers Will WORK
together. The salaries OF the general or
ganiZers wene fixed at $40 per day.
Tribute to John Murphy.
A beautiful wreath of flowers WAS
sent TO the convention by Gulf CITY
Lodge No. ll5, Galveston, Texas. as an
offering to the memory of John H Muir
ply, an eminent attorney, a member of
the Brotherhood. and formerly general
counsel OF the organization. who died
March 3, 1905, and who also served as
general counsel for the Western Fedora
tion of Miners. The flowers were placed
on Brother Murphy's grave in Fairmount
cemetery here in Denver by a commit
tee selected by the convention His grave
is marked by = very fine monument
erected jointly by the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen and Ensinemen and
the Western Federation of Miners.
The fact that the Denver Trades and
Labor Assembly on every annual Memo
rial day lays floral wreath upon the
grave OF Brother Murphy WIS comment
ed upon
Grant Hamilton Makes Speech.
Mr.. Grant Hamilton, assistant editor
OF the American Federationist, the off.
cial publication of the American Federa.
tion of Labor, addressed the convention
in behalf of that body. Mr.. Hamilton
conveyed to the convention the fraternal
greetings of the American Federation of
Labor TO Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and Enginemen.
In clear and concise terms he pointed
out the line of demarcation between prop
erty rights and human rights as defined
by the Clayton law, which law clearly
establishes as a principle of jurispru-
dence that human labor is not COM
modify and should not be dealt with as
a commodity.
He pledged the brotherhood the full
and unstinted support OF the Federation
of Labor in the present movement in
which the railroad train service organ.
izations are fighting for the establish
ment of nm eiyht hour day He -, ia that