Denver labor bulletin., 1916-05-20

of police under the Speer admin
L istration was one of the most
pleasing events brought about Wednes-
day when Robert w. Speer was inaugur-
ated as mayor. Fifteen minutes after
his appointment had been announced
among the list of new city officials,
Ham was at his desk in the police de-
partment City hall reporters, old and
new members OF the police force and
scores of friends came in to extend con-
gratulations, all overjoyed to see real
chief on the job again, one whose ap-
pointment was unquestionably the most
popular event of the day. Armstrong is
recognized as the best chief of police
Denver ever had. He is respected by
friend and foe OF the new city admins
tration, because he is square, fair, honest
and plays no favorites. Besides, he is
trade union man, being an old-time men,
Der of Denver Bookbinders Union No 20.
This is the third time 'Ham" has served
Denver as chief of police. His first term
was from April, 1891, to April, 1895, and
he was next appointed under Speer's Sec
ond administration as mayor, serving
from 1905 to 1902 He was also captain
of detectives for a number of years
Twice he was elected to the office of
sheriff. in 1904 under the Rush bill. and
deposed from office when the State Su-
preme Court ruled the bill unconstitu-
tional, and again in 1911. In the Ninth
and Tenth General Assembly he repre-
sented Denver as a state senator. Ham
ilton Armstrong is a native of Dixieland,
being born at Jackson. Miss, April 27,
1857. There he had his first business
experience as newsboy, and learned the
bookbinding trade. Later he took the
usual post graduate course of the print
ing trades by touring" the country,
working in many of the larger cities, and
finally anchored in Denver in 1886. As
police chief. sheriff and citizen, he has
always demonstrated rare good judgment
and executive ability. When he first be
came chief in 1891. Denver was in a raw
state of lawless chaos. which was soon
converted to peace and quiet without
exercising any rough methods Recently
he has been serving as secretary of the
Clayton fund caring for property be
queathed to the city. He is chairman Of
the county Democratic committee.
4 4
Thomas P. Rodgers, secretary of the
Denver Allied Printing Trades Council.
secretary and business agent of Press
Assistants Union No. IA, reading clerk Of
the Trades and Labor Assembly. n will
ing worker in Labor's cause every day In
the year. has Just lent additional en-
phasis to the growing prosperity of Den
yer and again demonstrated the advant
ages of this mile-high city as a place TO
rear a family. This time it's a young
suffragette, who made her arrival early
Tuesday morning at the Rodgers home,
1881 Newton street The young lady and
mother are doing very nicely, while papa
continues to smile he presents union
Ia ha1 ppfracts In nripf shnr, rrpprietOra
Il now have two pressfeeders and a bind
erv girl. and am still a votng man" said
Thomas as he thumped his cbesty bosom
while talking to the o. p. yesterday.
Furthermore. I believe - preparedness
against the exigencies of time, and ex-
pect to be fortified by a large family
when my services are no longer market
able as a wage-earner" Sure. Thomas
has good start. and he may yet win a
Carnegie or Noble prize.
AA -
Several constant readers of The Bulle-
tin have suggested that while the quality
of prose and poetry appearing in this
paper is up to expectations in every par
ticular, the quantity is not what they
have a right to expect for 81 per year.
We admit the kick is justifiable. but
with the increasing cost of print paper
The Bulletin is fortunate to maintain
its present standard. Last month the
price charged us for print paper was adj
vanced 20 per cent twice, or a total of
40 per cent in thirty days. The Bul1e-
tin paid to the Western Newspaper
Union SIG for print paper and presswork
alone, which is some item for a labor
paper. All quotations on print paper
have been withdrawn, and We do not
know from one week to another what
the paper bill will be. except that it will
not be less, and probably more. Mate
rials that go into the manufacture of
print paper are being used to make high
explosives for the European war, and sew
eral large Eastern paper mills have been
forced to close down for want OF the
raw material-wood pulp, rags, chloride.
etc. In Chicago this week a number of
newspaper publishers met to confer over
the situation, but agreed nothing could
be done except employ strict economy in
the use of paper. A number of daily pa
pers and periodicals thruout the coun-
try have been forced to suspend owing
to the high cost of paper. In Colorado,
due to excessive freight rates and long
distance from the mills, print paper
comes higher than in most any other
part of the United States. We are try
ing to 'boil the news down" so as not
to omit anything OF Importance, and our
increasing adv rtising business is de-
manding more space each week. There
fore we ask our big family of readers
to be patient as possible until the war
is over and paper resumes its normal
price, when The Bulletin will be able to
increase its size and publish labor pa
per that will meet the wishes of our
most exacting friends.
~
MINER MAKES THE BEST SOLDIER.