Denver labor bulletin., 1918-06-22
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of the war. Business as usual" can
no longer prevail, and business must
be adjusted to meet the new order of
things. State and city officials, civic
organizations and labor unions have
come to realize this. Contracts for
war supplies must be secured in Colo
RADIO, or hundreds of plants will soon
be idle. Material for other than war
work is now almost an impossibility.
Hundreds of skilled workmen, which
may soon be increased to thousands,
are leaving the, state to secure en-
ployment where war contracts are the
chief source of industry.
Want 100000 900 War Contracts.
Therefore, Colorado must secure at
least $100,000,000 worth of contracts
for war supplies this year to keep
shops and factories going and men
employed.
This week the Colorado Develop
ment Federation, organized and incor-
porated under the state laws. The
| and development of the natural re-
sources of Colorado; the encourage
ment of the development of its varied
industries; to so marshal the states
resources as to make them most eff
fective in serving the nation and in
building toward the future welfare of
the state.
On the Job at Capital.
Governor Gunter has sent out an
urgent letter to the county commits
sioners of every county to send in at
once its assigned quota for a fund of
$4,000 to function the federation,
Carl Hinton, secretary of the State
Manufacturers Association, will be
sent to Washington and kept there for
the purpose of aiding in the securing
of war contracts. More important is
that all manufacturers and business
enterprises who can handle war work
get together and adjust their plants or
places of business for this purpose.
Colorado has Jagged in presenting its
claims at Washington.
Houston Talks to Manufacturers.
A rousing special meeting of the
Manufacturers Association was held
in the assembly room of the Denver
Civic and Commercial Association
Wednesday noon. By invitation, Clint
c. Houston, editor of The Denver
Labor Bulletin, who was a member
of the commission which went to
Washington and secured the army re-
cuperation camp for Denver, was the
principal speaker.
Manufacturers and business inter-
ests of Colorado must drop selfshness
and come to quick realization that
what helps competition eventually
helps all in this war work." said Hous-
ton. During the past month between
800 and 600 skilled mechanics have
left Denver to secure employment
elsewhere on government work. 9th
ers have gone from Pueblo, Colorado
49,
ton.
Must Pay War Wages.
Colorado employers, whether on
war or private contracts, must make
up their minds that skilled labor can
not be retained here at a less wage
than that established by the federal
war labor board. And if the manu-
facturers of this state hustle a bit
and secure war supply contracts, you
will be expected to pay the same wage
that prevails on similar work else
where.
"Skilled workers have gone from
Colorado to Seattle, Chicago, Cleve-
land, Erie, Pa, and Indianapolis,
where war contracts are furnishing.
1t is big loss in citizenship as well
as in skilled labor to Denver. All
would be glad of an opportunity of
returning to Denver, and the privi-
lege should be granted thru the ex-
tension of industries. Expansion of
war contracts now must be westward.
for the East is full, and nowhere are
the advantages and resources as great
as in Colorado.
1T is your own fault you are not
now sharing in war contracts. You
must have your man on the ground,
which will in the long run save you
thousands of dollars. And unless
something is done quickly, you are
gong to lose the best workmen of this
city to other cities which have been
more active" Mr.. Houston said.
Have National Vision.
Other speakers urged the same ma
tlonal vision for Colorado. Secretary
Boldt of the National Chamber Of
Commerce was present and frankly ad-
mitted that Texas had received con-
tracts and environments out of all pro-
portion to Colorado because she had
quickly developed a national vision.
John Grattan of Broomfield spoke as
| a farmer and asked the farmers to
cooperate with the federation move
ment because the farmer and manu-
facturer are producers for the nation
to live. A j. Simmons also spoke for
| cooperation.
Directors of Federation.
The Development Federation is
made up Of representatives from ali
parts of the state. Organized labor
is represented on the board of d.
rectors by w. H. Young of Pueblo.
president of the Colorado State Fed.
ruled in favor of the Water Conn