Denver labor bulletin., 1917-12-22

CGTnlDB III lOoioNilIo.
grain products, fuel and other neces-
saries of life, to find a way, if possi-
bic, to relieve the present strain in
"making both ends meet" is the pur
pose of the Denver Consumers
League, organized at a large meeting
of citizens held in the Albany hotel
few nights ago.
1t was a representative gathering OF
citizens. including wage-earners, busI-
ness men, professional men, state ana
county officials. Ringing speeches
were made against the food and fuel
profiteers 1t was the conclusion OF
those present that every form OF prof
iteering should be deliberately and
scientifically investigated and the
findings submitted to the state food
and fuel administrations, and that,
failing to receive relief, an appeal
then should be made to the Washing
ton authorities-even to the extent OF
demanding justice from President
Wilson.
Worse Than Traitors.
John A. Rush, former district at
torney, who presided at the meeting,
opened the protestations by declaring;
while many of us are sending our
boys to France to give their lives, II
necessary, 10 DTtHfIN' h'AiANNAsN =
there are lurking behind camp fol-
lowers who thru their rapacity, are
destroying what democracy there IS
in America. The man who takes ad-
vantage Of his country at a time like
this is n worse traitor than the young
man who refuses TO answer his coun-
trv's call"
That the movement 20 curb rapa-
cious distributors Of the necessities Of
life has the endorsement Of those m
official position was evidenced by the
fact that District Attorney Foley sent
a letter plcdging his office 20 aid in
bringing abuses 90 light United
States Attorney Tedrow has mude
similar promise TO Mr.. Rush.
People Must BE Heard.
Attorney General Hubbard. who
was present. made a brief speech in
which ne declared:
THE people must have a voice in
the councils Of state along with the
representatives Of special privilege
He added that the reign Of men who
boast they control the -four market
and the wheat crops and will not sell
seed wheat unless Colorado abroCatcs
its laws. must cease. Mr.. Hubbard
pledged all the resources of his Office
to encomuass the rejection Of such
men by the people
Tully Scott, justice of the supreme
court. characterized the men who are
taking advantage Of the war to stuff
their pockets with the hard earned
dollars Of the people who are making
their sacrifices. as worse than spies
and worse than traitors.
Ascertain the True Facts.
The dollar pilfcred from the
pockets of the people who are suffer
ing the agonics of war, partAkes as
much Of the character of treason as
the dollar contributed to the kaiser's
war fund" said Judge Scott, But in
dclving into this question we must be
deliberate and careful to ascertain
only such facts as can be proved. Let
us have the truth and then We can
reach the ear of the president and he
will rcctify it. We must not 20 on the
assumption that all wealthy men are
traitors any more than that all poor
men are patriots.
II have been told that the man who
controls the milling trust bought up
the entire wheat crop of the state
around S275 n hundred. and then
made il into -four which is being re
tailed Mt cxorbitant rates. II that is
so he is morally, II not legally, guilty
Of an atrocious crime.
"Thc war has already shown us that
private ownership of the railroads is
failure. II public ownership of the
railroads is necessity in time OF
emergency. why is il not necessity
in time of peace We do not know
what il costs to manufacture beet
sugar But when the people own their
own sugar factories they will know,
and when that knowledge is obtained
the private owners of sugar factories
will be very careful not to exact un-
due profits. The same is true of coal
mines and of packing houses"
A. Permanent Organization.
Permanent organization of the Con
sumcrs League was effected by cleo
tion of the following officers: John
A. Rush. president; Clint C. Houston.
editor Labor Bulletin. first vice-presi-
dent; Mrs. Fanny Galloway, president
Woman's Club. second vice president;
u. C. Burns. president Real Estate EN-
change. secretary; George r. Hosmer.
United States collector of customs,
treasurer.
At subsequent meetings of the
elective officers the following commit
tees, created by the mass meeting,
were appointed and are actively Mt
work along the lines indicated:
Personnel of Committees.
Executive Committec-E. w. Hurl-
but, d. C. Burns, Mrs. Nettic l.. ia
cobson. John II. lawson, president
elect of the State Federation of La
Dor. and Mrs. Honora r. MACPHERSON.
Committee on Fuel-Wayne C. Will
liams, J. p. Donley and Hugh Nc
Lean.
Committee on Grain and Grain
Products-Albcrt l.. Vogcl. Mrs. VIM
r. Boettger and Foster Cline.