Denver labor bulletin., 1918-08-17

should give it his full and complete
support. 1t is a recognized fact in
all organizations that if there be any
thing wrong in the workings of the
organization it can only be remedied
from the inside.
/ trust that the members of those
organizations which have held aloof
from the State Federation will con-
slider it their duty as organized men
to take these remarks in the spirit
of unity in which they have been ex-
pressed and for the welfare of the
organization, so that it can become
an important factor in the state to
better protect the interests of the
workers, especially in legislative af-
fairs. If there ever was time when
the workers of Colorado should get
together that time is now. We should
all use every endeayor within our
power to more closely unite the work
ers of Colorado in order that we may
work together as a unit for the benefit
of all concerned.
Organization
Never in the history of the trade
union movement has there been SO
much activity along organization lines
as has manifested itself during the
past year. On account of the finan-
cial condition of the Federation no
organized campaign has been con-
Quoted by the executive board, our
efforts in that direction rather having
been directed towards doing voluntary
organization work in the various To-
calities in which the members are To-
Gated and will be reported upon by
them in their reports to this con-
vention. My report will have to deal
almost exclusively with Denver, with
which work / am more familiar.
During the past year there have
been organized in Denver twenty-four
local unions of various crafts and call
ings, as follows:
Asbestor Workers No. %, Ash Haul
ers No. 654, Auto Mechanics No. 1873,
Carriage, Wagon and Automobile
Workers No. II, Bushelmen's Union
No. 252, Cleaners. Dyers and Pressers
No. 267, Domestic Workers No. 1894,
Elevator Conductors and Starters No.
I 15943, Gas Stokers and Helpers No.
357, Hotel Maids and Assistants Union
I No. l, JanitorS Union No. 1861, jew
| elry Workers No. 2S, United Leather
/ Workers No. 5s, Maintenance of Way
/ Employees No. IS, Miscellaneous Hotel
and Restaurant Employees No. 1872. Au-
/ tomobile Painters No. S34, Retail Drug
I Clerks No. 1911. Soda and Soft Drink
/ Dispensers, United Brick and Terra
| Gotta Workers, Railway Laborers and
Helpers No. 1871, Vulcanizers, Re
pairmen and Helpers Union No. 16020,
Commercial Telegraphers Union, Box
Makers. Street Railway Employees.
This has added several thousand or
ganized workingmen and women to
the trade union movement of Denver
and the state. In the work of spread
| ing the gospel Of unionism among the
members of these new unions i have
taken an active part, as well as in as
sisting the membership in negotiating
for an increased wage and improved
working conditions The Denver
Trades and Labor Assembly, realizing
the Importance of taking advantage
of the opportunity and organizing the
unorganized when the conditions are so
opportune for carrying the work for
ward to a successful conclusion. placed
n paid representative in the field early
in the year, who greatly aided in the
work so necessary to be done
| Industrial Controversies
During the past year there have
been more controversies between the
employees and employers than ever be-
fore within the same period of time
resentative of the labor department,
has informed me that Colorado has
the record for the largest number of
strikes during the past year of any
state in the union. There has scarcely
been even n day since the adjournment
Of our last convention, up to within
n few weeks of the converting Of this
one, but what there there was some
industrial controversy between the en-
ployer and employe existing in Colo
rado. The chief cause of all of these
industrial disturbances is the fact
that as a general rule the working
men and women in Colorado have
been lower paid than in any state in
the union, and on account of the con-
stantly increasing cost of all necessi-
ties of life they have had to go out
and endcavor to secure living wage
thru the strength Of their industrial
organization. On account Of the fact
Of the large amount of organization
work with which / have been con-
nected, and the Office work of the
Federation which have had to do,
l am unable to present for the con-
sideration Of this convention a detailed
report of all industrial controversies
in which the trade union movement of
Colorado has been involved since the
last convention. However, I am glad
to report that with few exceptions
all controversies have resulted in Sc
curing an increase in wages and i'm
proved working conditions for the
membership involved. This feature
will be covered more fully in the re-
port from the affiliated unions.
Reports From Local Unions
Early in May mailed to all afiil-
lated unions n report blank, with a
request to all secretaries to furnish
me with such information as to men,
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