Denver labor bulletin., 1916-05-06
Brilliant Address at Open
Meeting Of Assembly
Industrial Relations Commission
and Its Work Pronounced a
Monumental Contribution to
Solving the Labor Prob
lem of This Nation


town in raging snowstorm. 200 dele
gates and members of labor unions at
tended the special meeting of the Denver
Trades and Labor Assembly last Sunday
afternoon in Painters Union hall to hear
an address delivered by Hon E p. Costi-
gan on The United States Industrial
Commission and Its Work" 1t was a
rare intellectual treat, and those fortun.
ate enough to be present were well re-
paid for any inconvenience suffered on
account of the unusual storm
No man in Colorado is better qualified
to talk about the federal industrial com.
mission. its work, achievements and fu-
ture promise. than Mr.. Costigan. As at
torney for the United Mine Workers of
America. he presented testimony before
the commission in Denver. Washington
and New York. and kept in touch with
the hearings and testimony thruout the
entire period of the commissions activi-
ties, and has thoroly studied and digest
ed the report
Genesis of the Commission.
| He told how the resolution creating the
commission and appropriation of half
million dollars for its expenses came to
be passed by Congress during the closing
year of President Taft's administration
beng advocated by thinking men and
| women OF the nation who believed the
underlying causes OF industrial unrest as
demonstrated by the McNamara dyna-
hitting cases in Los Angeles and other
upheavals should be brought to light and
given the radium cure OF publicity. How
the original commission, appointed by
President Taft proved unsatisfactory
and failed of confirmation in the Senate.
-. . n
son came into office and named a COM
mission of nine that this gigantic work
was begun.
Three different federal industrial rela-
tions commissions or boards have been
created by Congress. said Mr.. Costigan.
the first in 1850. the second in 1894. and
the third in 1918. the last. with Frank P
Walsh of Kansas City as chairman
which alone accomplished any real or
beneficial results.
An Historical Contribution.
To my mind.- said the speaker. this
commission has made the most monu-
mental contribution to the industrial
and social problems confronting our peo-
Pile in the 40 years of this nations his
tory. The reports submitted to Congress
and now available in printed form. have
given us q clear insight of industrial
evils and opened the way for their ulti.
mate correction. 1t has aroused the con.
sciences OF all classes of citizens to their
duty and and obligation to the toilee
People are thinking of and talking over
industrial problems today who never be-
fore gave them a thought.
While the reports of the commission
covered various subjects. they all. in a
large measure. revolved about the Colo
rado situation. for in this state was to
be found the worst forms OF industrial
tyranny. particularly in the southern
coal mining camps. The highest human
note of the commissions Investigations
was touched during the hearings held in
Denver and when victims of Ludlow ap-
4 peared at the hearings in New York to
confront the Rockefellers. father and son.
4. Verdict of Representative Men.
1T will be observed that the stinging
Indictment brought forward in the com
missions report against industrial eondi-
tions in this country We're found by rep
resentative men. not by prescribed 50.
lcalled labor asitators' or Socialist 'soap.
box orators Three of the nine members
OF this commission We're selected from
the employing class, three from labor and
three from the public at large. all con-
firmed bv the Senate of the United
STATES lHHN l. WHY tine report Is WoFk-
ing such Il tremendous revolution in the
thought of all honest and we'll meaning
people of this country. whatever NAV Be
their station.
This commission had the power OF
the United States government behind it.
and accomplished what was never dared
or done before. in bringing the Rockefel-
lers, Morrans. Carnegies. Belmonts,
Schwabs and other capitalists to the wit
ness stand. and force them to tell the
people thru their sworn testimony of the
evils growing ont of long distance owner
ship and direction by appointees OF vast
industrial enterprises. and of the total
lack of responsibility capital has in the
human beings who create their wealth.
1t was Morgan, you will recall, who gave
it as his opinion that a workingman's
service TO corporation was worth as
little as he would consent TO accept or
could be forced to work for.
"rhese captains of industry told the
commission they had never felt any re.
sponsibility for their employees. and be.
heved that their responsibility ended
when they selected officers to look after
details of wages and conditions of labor
Continued on page 6)