Denver labor bulletin., 1917-04-28
GUAGE OF BATTLE LAID
DOWN TO THE INDUS
TRIAL COMMISSION.
Resolutions Adopted at Sundays
Meeting to Ignore Political
Board in Negotiating
Wage Scales and Work
ing Conditions.

Pledging moral and financial sup
port TO those unions which stand upon
their constitutional rights in ignoring
the involuntary servitude provisions
of the Colorado industrial commission
law, the Denver Trades and Labor AS
sembly in regular session last Sunday
afternoon adopted resolution sup
porting the rule of action in dealing
with the commission laid down by Den
yer Typographical Union No. 80.
This resolution was n special order,
having been introduced two meetings
previous and submitted 10 the various
affiliated unions for consideration. in
order that delegates might vote the
judgment Of their respective unions.
The debate upon this question was
the most interesting, as well as elo-
qucnt. heard on the Assembly floor in
recent years. Everyone present seemed
20 realize the importance TO labor that
action on this resolution would carry.
Rounds Of applause frequently inter
rupted the remarks Of those contend
ing that the yoke Of involuntary scrvi-
tude placed upon labor in this state
by the legislature should be resented
with utmost yigor.
All Pledge Loyal Support
tion did so upon the ground that il
was matter to be determined alone
by local unions and that no rule of
action should be laid down by the cen
trail body. However, they pledged
their unions in support of those organ
izations which in the future decide to
ignore the cant strike" sections of
the industrial commission law. namely
sections % TO 33 inclusive.
IL l.. .L.
Trades and Labor Assembly in effect
carried out the decision rendered by
organized labor of the state at the
annual convention of the State Fed
Grafton OF Labor held last August in
Colorado Springs. At that meeting
declaration was adopted tha; it would
be the purpose Of organized labor in
Colorado to secure repeal of the lib
crty-destruying law at the coming ses-
sion of the Legislature. Should this
fail. as IL did. steps would be taken
TO annul the law insofar as its com
pulsory features are concerned.
Interest Is Widespread.
Much interest has been manifested
thruout the country in the attitude
organized labor would assume toward
the industrial commission law follow
ing refusal Of the Legislature to re-
peal or amend II in any manner.
Therefore, when Denver Typograph-
ical Union No. 40. the oldest and per-
hnps most conservative union in the
state. adopted the resolution declaring
its purpose to ignore the industrial
commission and refuse 10 file thirty
day notice Of proposed wage changes
or working conditions, followed by n
resolution in the Assembly indorsing
this action. and laying down n rule of
procedure for organized labor thruout
the city and state, these resolutions
were made the subject matter of COM
mandatory articles in the labor press
thruout the country.
That the Denver Trades and Labor
Assembly has taken emphatic action |
in the matter will be accepted every
where as guarantee that the work |
ing people of Colorado are just as
Jealous of their rights as those in
other states in the union.
Ways and Means Committee.
In order that the rule of action thus
laid down by the Trades and Labor As
sembly might be put into operation i'm
mediatcly. another resolution was
adopted pledging support to the Ci-
garmakcrs Union. who had gone on
strike Saturday without asking per-
mission of the Colorado industrial
commission and therefore stood in op-
10 NHt law. lniS
copy Of which appears in the ad-
joining column, was unanimously
adopted.
President Thornton appointed n
ways and means committee to carry
out it's provisions, consisting of the
following delegates: Clint C. Houston.
chairman, Typographical Union; Ed.
Anderson. BARRIERS Union; William r.
Welsh, Horscshoers Union; Earl r.
Hoage. Lithographers Union; Fred
Vessel, Bartendcrs Union.
During the week this committee has
been cooperating with the Cigarmak
ers Union and has cndcavorcd to bring
the entire question of the industrial
commission law into the courts. This
procedure will be continued until such
time ms the law is either sustained or
declared unconstitutional by the high
courts. Failing to secure court action,
the unions will continue to ignore the
law and disclaim the right of the in
dustrial commission to intcrpose dur
ing negotiations of wage scales and
working conditions between employees
and employers.