La Junta tribune., 1916-08-26
Animus Of Fight Against Carlson.

dustrial Relation Commission law In
this state Is of national importance.
The fight is not so much against the
Law as il is against Governor Carl
son. and the present state admins
,ration. II results from an agree
ment between President Wilson and
Samuel Gompers, having as its real
object the election OF Wilson and the
defeat OF the Republican ticket in
this state. Mr.. Gompers sent his
man Hamilton to Colorado Springs
10 secure the adoption of resolu-
tion condemning the law. His only
objection TO IL Is against that clause
which provides that employees before
they declare a lockout or discharge
a guodly number OF their men at
one time, must give the commission
thirty days notice. This thirty days
notice is for the purpose OF allowing
compulsory Investigation between
the employer and employe Mr.
GOmpers takes the position that the
meu should not be required TO give
thirty days notice, that when they
are ready TO strike they should be
allowed TO exercise thar privilege i'm
meIiately.
II will be remembered that when
the present state administration as
EImed office. national troops were
Iu the southern Colorado coal fields.
Differences arose between the state
and the national administration
These differences became so bitter
that scheme was adopted in Wash
luEton. the object of which was to
take away the major portion OF the
equipment of the Colorado national
guard. Governor Carlson's special
committee that investigated charges
OF iucompetency against the guard.
unearthed this scheme In its inyesti-
cation, and made 1t public. From
then on there has been a bitter con-
test waged between the national ad-
ninistration at Washington and the
state government over the Colorado
national guard and Its equipment
Governor Carlson went east and
stayed two weeks and saved two
batteries, valued at approximately
three quarter OF a million dollars
each to the state. By sheer force
and determination he compelled the
administration to leave those bat
teries here. Following that incident
the administration at Washington
has xzged = relentless political war
fare against the present administra-
ton. The Federal Industrial Com
mission with Walsh at Its head.
speaking through Washington. pub
iished some of the worst rot that waa
ever published against any state in
trying to lay a foundation for fur
ther attacks. II Is a well known fact
that President Wilson and Mr.. Com
pers have worked hand In hand
throughout the entire administers
ton. Mr.. Hamilton In coming TO
Colorado and opposing the Industrial
Commission Law Is but refi.cting the
wishes OF Mr.. Gomvers and the pres
ident
Despite the protests and opposition
pre.idsut Mel anna, ~ ,ha rnt.. A..
State Federation OF Labor found
many good points In the lAw. and
recommended It's oontinusnc. with q
few changes. Mr.. Hamilton recon-
m-nds a repeal OF the law and coins
back to the old system OF damage
suits In court TO recover judgment
for bodily injuries. Despite the pro.
tests OF Mr.. Hamilton our people will
remember that this law has cut
down court costs over forty per cent.
and that II has made II possible for
those Injured to receive compensa.
tion. or those dependent upon them
10 receive their compensation imme-
disiely. The total amount received
~ those injured or those dependent
upon them under the Law when com.
pared with the total amount receiv-
ID by = similar number under the
old system OF la~ suits discioses that
fifty per cent more money has gone
direct to those injured or dependent
usder this system than under the old
system. II will also disclose that
the cases have been settled immsdi.
ately. whereas under the old system
Il took from two TO fifteen years TO
get Judgment and settlement. We
hardly think that any legislature will
dare try 10 reveal the present Law.
even though Mr. Gompcrs Is against
u for political reasons.-Alvs A.