Denver labor bulletin., 1917-02-10


in the lobby sat up and took notice.
First pages of the evening papers di-
vided attention of war news with the
appointment by Governor Gunter Of
three members of the state industrial
commission. He named Joel Gran
than of La Jara for the six-year term;
John F. Pearson of Gunnison for the
four-year term, Democrats; and d. c.
Burns of Denver, Progressive party
leader, for the two-year term. Nobody
in Denver had ever heard of Grantham
before and his appointment created
considerable CONSERVATION among the
politicians. He is a protege of Sena-
tor Billy Adams and formerly con-
Quoted a wholesale liquor house in
Alamosa and a saloon in La Jara.
After the state went dry Grantham
was compelled to close his liquor bus
mess, and he became sheep herder
in the Conejos country of southern
Colorado. Just what qualifications
he has for the position to which he
has been appointed by the governor
has not been stated by his sponsors.
Pearson is former state senator, a
preacher of the Seventh Day Advent
ist faith and a subscription book
agent. In these two instances the
governor gives every evidence of hav-
ing been hypnotized by some of the
wiley politicians, because no state
executive in his right senses could
have named men of this caliber for
two such important positions. ID. C.
Burns, who drew the short term, is the
one redeeming appointee. He has the
qualifications and the ability to make
a good commissioner. Burns was the
father of the initiative and referen-
dun in Colorado and has been an ad-
vOcate of numerous reform measures,
both state and municipal. 1t is not
strange, therefore, that the old line
politicians in the senate have made a
harder fight against confirmation of
Burns than either of the other two.
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A MOTHER appointment announced
n this week by the governor has
given members of organized labor
and friends of humanity in Colorado a
distinct chill. He named Mrs. Helen
Grenfell of Denver for the six-year
term as member of the state board
of charities and corrections. 1t will
be recalled that Mrs. Grenfell was
employed by the mine operators to 90
to Washington and tell President Will
son that all reports about the Ludlow
massacre were bunk, and that the
brigands serving in the garb of state
militiamen at that time were men of
the highest moral and social stand
ing. All thru the Goa. strike Mrs.
Grenfell acted as an agent for the
operators. She, is a woman whose
services can be secured for a price
way is wanted to be put over by the
corporations. Just what claim she has
upon the Democratic party it is diff
cult to say, because Helen changes
her political coat just as often as the
parties change control of the state.
Of course, she is now a Democrat, and
is appointed with that party designa-
ton. Considerable opposition to her
confirmation has arisen in the senate.
Many of the good women of Denver
and thruout the state have registered
their disapproval.
A TTORNEY GENERAL LESLIE E.
n HUBBARD has won victory
over the legislature. When the
legislature refused to include in the
short appropriation bill an item of
1,500 to pay the salary for Miss
Clara Ruth Mozzer as fourth assist
ant attorney general, he re-appointed
her third assistant with a salary of
81, 300. Richard, Ryan, formerly third
this instance and resigned his port
folio of third assistant in order that
Miss MozZer might be moved up a
peg and retain her job. However,
Ryan will not lose out, as he is to be
retained in the office as head of the
bill drafting department. Since the
legislature convened, his department
has passed on the legality of over
500 bills and helped in drafting nearly
as many more.
CENATORS GEORGE LEWIS and
y William j. Candlish, joint authors
of the original state industrial
commission law, have drafted an
amendment by which they hope to
spike organized labor's demand for
its absolute repeal. Under their
amendment the industrial commission
will be required to speed up" by
compelling the members to announce
determinations and awards within
thirty days after the beginning OF
each investigation. In cases which alb
solutely require further time the COM
mission, by order or upon consent OF
both parties, can extend the probes
to ninety days, but in no case can II
spend more than ninety days on an
investigation without consent of both
parties. Penalties and fines ranging
from $40 to $1,000 are fixed for action
by either the employers or employees
to change the status of conditions un.
der the investigation. Under this
amendment voluntary servitude in
Colorado would continue without let
or hindrance. Labor is opposed tc
being compelled to work even for one
day if it wants to quit. This right is
guaranteed under national and state
constitutions and no set of lawmak.
ers have a legal right to write Other
conditions into the statutes.
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