Denver labor bulletin., 1917-03-31

state OF Colorado, SO far as results
beneficial to the laboring people of
Colorado are concerned, would not re-
quire very much space or any great
amount of ability: But to inform the
working. people of Colorado that they
have been buncoed and been made the
victims of designing politicians, who
have violated every pledge made dur
ing the last campaign-madef for the
purpose of securing their votes and
with no idea of ever being redeemed,
would tax the ability of some one more
versed in the art of literature than
myself.
This report is from the conditions
as l found them during my attend
ance at the sessions of the twenty
first general assemly, in endeavoring
to carry out the instructions of or
ganized labor to secure for the work
ing people of Colorado some legisla-
ton beneficial to them.
Before the convening of the legis-
lature, the legislative committee of
the Colorado State Federation of La
Dor Joined with legislative committees
of the Railway Brotherhoods and Far
mers Union and formed a joint legis-
lative committee, in order that we
might work together in a cooperative
manner in an endeavor TO secure legis-
lation for all working people of this
state.
Should Preserve the Record.
Under the direction of the joint
Legislative committee, seventeen bills
were introduced by the Federation,
nine by the Railway Brotherhoods, and
about fifteen by the Farmers Union,
having for their Object the benefit,
uplift and improvement of the thou
sands of working people Of this state
who had been given 70 understand
previous to the election by the poll
ticians who were askinG for their suf-
power that the interest," of the work
ing people would be given due and
favorable consideration.
In view of the fact that the Colo
rado State Federation in convention
assembled had decide that the re-
peal of the industrial commission law
should be made the pa-amount issue
before the next genera. 4ssembly, our
report to the labor movement as to
who were our friends and our enemies,
will be based on the ru'l-call vote for
the repeal of this mos vicious and
un-American law. This roll-can vote
has been published in The Denver La
Dor Bulletin and will b retained, and
should carefully preserve this list in
order that we may know in the years
to come who were for O. against labor,
should they ever have the audacity to
aspire to any Office within the gift of
the people in this state,
Bills Passed and Defeated.
The results secured in the way of
bills passed, which had been indorsed
by the State Federation, are as fol-
lows:
House bill No. 55, by Mishou, for a
pension for all paid and volunteer
firemen.
House bill No. 800, by Baer, for a
plumbers license law.
House bill No. so, for a public de-
fender law.
House bill No. 225, by Mcdonald
for the collection Of wage claims. This
bill was substituted for house bill No
307, by Metz Rodgers, a very good
law and one much needed for many
years.
We secured the defeat of the follow
ing vicious bills, having for their OBJ
ject the more complete subjugatior
and victimization Of labor:
House bill No. so, by Friend, and
senate bill No. lS4, by Kluge, and
Knauss, having for their object the
multiplying of the woman's eight-houl
law.
House bill No. 253, by Mishou and
willison (by request) for the licensing
of painters and decorators.
House bill No. 1872 by Houtchens
and Senate bill No. 240, by Coldren
having for their object the licensing
of moving picture heaters.
House bill No. SS6, by Ardourel
- go
stabulary.
Senate bill No. S96, by Lewis anc
Candlish. which sought to amend the
/ industrial commission law, giving tbs
commission more power, which, if car
ried out to its logical conclusion, woulC
place the working people of Colorado
completely in the power of an ire
sponsible political commission.
Senate bill No. S07, which woulc
place the labor movement, which w,
have worked years to secure, under
the jurisdiction of the industrial com
mission. and completely nullify oul
work of years in securing labor de
partment that would be of some rea
benefit to the working people.
String of Vicious Measures.
Two of our greatest (would be
friends in the senate were Lewis anC
Candlish, who imagined that the,
were divinely inspired to watch owe
Legislation for the benefit of the work
ing people. They introduced senat
bills No. $50 and Isl and S95, 500
Se7, all vicious as far as our inter
ests are concerned.
Senate bill No. 2s1, which was lik
the man who talks a lot but say
nothing, consisting of thirty page
proposing to amend the workingmen'
compensation law. but makes no i'm
provement In the present statute an
which after futile attempt by tn
house to improve it, was finally adopt
al