Denver labor bulletin., 1917-03-17
LIMITED MILITARY CONSUMPTION MAY
BE MADE A LAW AT SPECIAL SESSION
Heads of Labor Unions Will Insist Upon Representation Manage
ment of Government Controlled Industries; Railroad
Strike Likely to Be Fought Out Quickly
Before War Declared

conference. A bureau chief drew up
an order compelling all employees in
plants and shipyards doing work for
the navy to enlist in a naval reserve
defense corps" thereby endangering
his rate of pay, civil rights and other
prerogatives. Two-thirds of the men
had actually been enlisted, according
to President Johnston of the Interna-
tional Association # Machirists, be-
fore Secretary Daniels, who bad
signed the order without fully under
standing its meaning. revoked it. The
Machinists' organization had mean
while ordered its membership to re-
fuse to enlist, pending hearing.
Possibility of Rail Strike.
1t is possible that a railroad strike
to put into effect the basic eight-hour
day will be precipitated, and fought
out, before the war shall have arrived.
II the four railroad brotherhoods,
whose chiefs are taking part in this
conference. shall decide to go out, they
will not tie up all the roads, but will
choose certain main lines in the terri
tory where traffic is heaviest, and will
there demonstrate their power to
compel the management to meet their
reasonable terms. The object lesson
to be furnished by these roads would
Representatives of the brotherhoods
say that they are by no means wor-
ried over n possible decision by the
supreme court that the Adamson law
/ is unconstitutional. They feel that if
that law is void. all such laws as those
proposed for stopping railway strikes
would also be void. The roads and
/ the employees will be left to fight out
their own battles on their own re-
sponsibility. To this the brother
hoods have no objection. But for the
demand Of President Wilson they
/ would have done so last summer, in
stead Of coming 20 the capital to talk
their quarrel over with him.
Compulsory arbitration bills may be
I brought up in the Forthcoming session
| Of congress Senator Newlands is
still unsatisfied with his defeats. on
that issue in the session just closed.
Repeal Of Colorado Law.
Senator Shafroth Of Colorado, who
/ is hnrrying home to fight against the
attacks made by Democratic legisla-
tors on the initiative. referendum and
direct primary laws of his state. which
he secured when governor. refuses 70
enter into the discussion of the pro-
posed repeal of the Colorado compul-
sorry arbitration law. He apparently
favors the law. Representative Keat-
| ing is the only member Of congress
from Colorado who appears TO be IA
vorahle to its repeal. The other men,
bers are not interested in labor issues
| Grant Hamilton. organizer for the
American Federation OF Labor, who
has been in Denver seeking to secure
the repeal of this statute. has returned
to Washington with word that the
union men of Colorado are virtually
agreed upon n method Of securing
their rights. and will. despite the re-
dictionary policy of the Democratic
and Republican membership of the
legislature. They are going TO join
with the farmers in n Colorado branch
of the National Non-Partisan League
which now controls North Dakota and
is spreading thruout the West. The
Nom Partisan League will formulate
a program acceptable to the labor and
farmer interests, and will go with II
TO the primaries and the next election
in the state. They expect to win con-
troll of the legislature at the first
attempt.
| Labor and Farmers Unite.
This word is accepted as good n;
American Federation of Labor head
quarters. II is pointed out, by per.
sons close to President Gompers, that
the labor and farmer organizations
Joined forces in securing the amend.
mcnt of the antitrust law thru the
Clayton Act, and that there is nc
reason why they. should not unite in
Colorado and Minnesota and other
states having large industrial and
agricultural organizations, to secure
better laws.
The United States supreme court
has upheld the state laws for work.
mems compensation and employers
liability in Iowa, New York and
Washington. The law for the state
of Washington provided for compui'
sorry payment by employers into the
fund from which claims were to be
paid By n vote of five to four the
court decided thao this direct tax or
employers for maintaining the indus
try against human wear and tear was
good law.