Denver labor bulletin., 1918-04-27
The Optimistic
Philosopher


up with the overflow from Washing
ton. Profiteering in rents and hotels
in Washington is now being made a
subject of investigation by Congress.
Private residences which rented for
$50 per month before the war now
command 5000 and $3.50 per month.
A room and bath at the leading hotels
bring So to $40 per night, and the
proprietors get the money. Housing
of the great army of government en-
ployes is a serious question and the
prices charged make the increased
wages fade away like mist before the
sun The Billy Sunday tabernacle
left standing between the union depot
and capitol building has been taken
over by the Y. W. C. A. and con-
verted into huge dormitory for girls
brought to Washington as stenogra-
pliers and clerks in the departments.
:: :: ::
NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON,
and in fact all big Eastern cities, are
experiencing a real food shortage.
Portions served in restaurants and
like the aeroplanes one sees every
day in flying practice over the cities.
From the time I left Denver until
return only corn and barley bread
were served on dining cars, in res
taurants and hotels. All menus con-
tain line printed in red which reads:
"No bread containing wheat or rye
flour served until after September l."
They urge you to eat fish instead of
meat, and in many cases succeed in
this. Spring vegetables and straw
berries, however, were abundant, be-
ing shipped from the South.
:. :. ::
DURING MY SHORT STAY IN
Washington visited A, F. of L. head
quarters, which is now one of the lead
ing war centers of the nation. Sam
Gompers is playing a big part in this
great struggle to make the world safe
for democracy, and when the history
of the conflict is written the part taken
by labor in loyal support of the gov
ernment and the fine executive ability
of Gompers will command a promi-
nent place in the records of achieve
ment. Also called on E. W. Oyster
at the District building, father of the
national eight-hour day, and had
pleasant chat with Laurence Todd,
The Bulletins capable Washington
who also does special
work for some of the big dailies in
New York.
ONE OF THE UNIQUE SIGHTS
in Washington was at the |
union depot on alighting from New
York train. A guard of seven United |
States soldiers were in charge of thir-
ty-six German prisoners, the crew of
a U-boat, and they attracted atten-
tion when being marched into the
depot restaurant for feed before
starting for the federal prison near
Ga. On each leg of each
prisoner was red flannel patch about
eighteen inches long. Upon being in
terrogated one of the guards gave the
that these were for iden-
and that red ptaches could
be seen farther than any other color,
and made fine target in case Hun
prisoner attempted to escape. Three
of the prisoners were officers of rank,
and looked rather spruce, while the
looked as tho they had not been well
fed, being gaunt and distressed.
:. :. {.
ON THE TRIP FROM WASHING
ton to Chicago | travelled thru North
ern Virginia and Maryland to get
some of the Southern atmosphere. 1t
was a delightful day journey with
fruit trees all in blossom, flowers in
bloom, trees green and fields of grain
far advanced in development. This
is one of the most beautiful sections
of the country, and appeared so rest
full, peaceful and so far from war and
its brutalizing scenes, that the con-
trast was wonderfully pleasing.
:. :. ::
DURING THE NIGHT OUR
train had to detour a hundred or so
miles around a freight wreck some
delayed arrival in Chicago several
hours, but afforded opportunity for
the great union labor Lib
erty loan parade, which is told of else
where in this issue Activity of farm
ers seen in crossing Illinois, Iowa and
Nebraska indicate that there will be
no food shortage this year if climatic
are favorable. Everywhere
record planting is being done, great
tractors affording farmers to increase
acreage to a most agreeable extent. |
A trip like this makes one appre-
ciate the greatness of the country in
which we live and adds to the reason
why we should support it against a
foreign foe. Likewise, it gives feel I
ing of relief that with our unbounded |
resources, America is uncomfortable,
and can supply armies and supplies |
to beat back the Huns in Europe.
CAMP AT Fl. LOGAN