Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-02
Grant Hamilton Replies to
Criticisms OfE. E. Mclaughlin
Tn Thc penvcr Labor BuIIetin.

To The Denver Labor Bulletin;
Chairman Mclaughlin OF the Industrial
Commission contributes a communication
To the Denver Times on August Is, IN
which those who are interested in the
repeal OF the law creating the commits
zion are referred to as short sighted. and
states, among other things, that many
labor men dare not admit that the law
has been OF value TO labor because that
would be admitting away the case they
seek TO make in this resolution, refer
ring to the declaration practically unani-
mou-ly indorsed by the Colorado State
Federation OF Labor at its recent CON
yention. Chairman Mclaughlin, like
many other individuals occupying public
political positions is alarmed when his
opinions are criticised Over one month
ago. at a meeting OF the Denver Trades
and @-pr Assembly, ! discussed the In
dust rial { commission law, as well as the
arguments presented by Commissioner
WAYNE c. Williams. Mt a mcetng In
Columbus, Ohio. Neither Chairman Nc
Iaughlin nor Commissioner Williams,
;h. former in his communication referred
to above. and the latter in his Address
h.for. the State Federation OF Labor,
have attempted to answer my arguments
against the law.
Tho law provides that working men
must notify their employers at least
thirty days in advance OF taking action
when they desire any change affecting
wages, conditions, or bours OF employ
ment, and II the commission 30 desire,
and IL has 30 desired on numerous occa-
sion-. 1t can prolong the waiting period
provided by the law indefinitely, during
which the employees must remain at
- .,f
tn fifty dollars day. Chairman Me-
Iauphlin does not mention this fact in
hi. communication. neither does he men
tion that provision of the law which
proyidcs a penalty of fine and imprison-
m,nt for any person to advise or urge
men or women to go on strike whllc the
commission spends months in lei-nrely
so called investigation. Neither does he
tell the people in his communication that
the commission, under the terms OF the
law. have a right to invade the meet
ing- OF unions. Very adroitly these iacts
are not disclosed and the public, Tor
which. he expresses 50 much concern, II
not reminded OF the un- American provis'
ions of the law.
Altho the law as now framed conicrs
extraordinary powers upon the indusuiai
commission, Chairman Mclaughlin Is ad.
yocating the dcsirability of increasing eS'
is,ing powers. Demands for more power
and greater scope for action are inseP.
arabic from the nature of any political
agency.
Will Not Delegate Powers.
Granted any authority, however, linn
tied or snfcguardcd, it inevitably de-
mands greater scope for action to make
i,s work effective-demands power to
regulate politically. Thru persistent en-
croachmcnts rights are invaded and
system OF governmental control is buiit
nm. supcrscding voluntary institutions.
such will be the inevitable result of the
activity and the development of the in.
dustriai commission, provided it is per-
mitted to exist by law.
The labor unions of this state do not
propose to delegate their rights and lib
critics to any political commission, no
matter by whom composed. This posi-
ton il in accord with concepts of con-
stitutional government and freedom. I'm
der no government do free citizens dele
gate to any authority, person or persons,
the power to control or regulate person
al relations Certain rights cannot be
alienatcd unless freedom is destroyed.
slavery was abolished by the Civil
war. II was not in consonancc with the
spirit OF a Republican form of govern
mcnt. II was during Lincoln's term Ms
president that the Emancipation proc
inmation was issued. In n public address
delivered at Hartford, Connecticut, In
1860. during the great New England
shoe Workers strike, President Lincoln
snid:
"Thank God, we have n system Of Ia
bor where there can he n strike. What
aver the pressure, there is u point where
the working men may stop
Human Rights Paramount.
Altar couyrcss Ind tried by pcnccful