Denver labor bulletin., 1918-08-10

BILE that of our present wage; for ex-
ample, the average building wage paid
in 1915 and 1916 was $3.50, and wheat
was quoted at $1.20 per bushel, which
was high. If men were paid in wheat
at that prevailing price they would
have received four bushels. Today if
they received four bushels at the
present price of wheat, which is 1920,
the economic equivalent would be
$3.50. The prices of all other neces-
stiles have advanced in greater pro-
portion than that of wheat, and these
facts are not to be denied. Something
must be done, therefore, especially to
protect the people who do not yet un-
derstand the fairness of collective bar
gaining-the system used by the or
ganized workers. feel that the sense
of justice of the American people must
soon be aroused when some protection
will be given to the consumer in re-
gard to the relative cost of living
and the wages now being paid.
Building Operations.
However, we must admit that the
wage problem today is not the great
est problem, and as goodly portion
of our membership is, and will be en-
ployed on government work, l feel
that fairly satisfactory adjustments
will be made as occasions present
themselves. If we will avoid juris-
dictional disputes which are indefen-
sible, wage demands will undoubtedly
be met by prevailing facts and rea-
son.
"Normally about $3,0OO,0 100000 a
year was spent on this continent in
building operations. The last, or
rather a recent compilation, accord
ing to information received, showed a
depreciation of 80 per cent in private
operations, leaving but 10 per cent,
and even this small portion will prob
ably diminish as the future may de-
termine. Secretary Spencer and
have twice visited Secretary McAdoo
Of the treasury department, hoping to
persuade against any embargo that
may affect building operations. He
informed US that it was not in his
but further stated that he advised
against the expenditures of any
moneys on non-essentials at this or
any other time during the war.
Work in Army Camps.
"True, the government war pro-
gram in the United States, from
which only l can quote, as was un-
able to ascertain the Canadian pro-
SIduly was very ldIBeg DuI III CildI-
acter it provided work for only a por-
ton of the trades, while others were
practically eliminated, and it likewise
applied only to certain sections of the
continent where the work was to be
done.
"The future building program will
give some idea of what we may ex-
pect, and should guide US in our
deliberations at this time. Excluding
the camps and cantonments and many
small projects not considered, amount
ing to about S200,000,0O0, there are
now under process of construction by
the army approximately eighty-five
jobs aggregating in cost $205, 900 900,
ranging from minimum of approxi-
mately $12 900 to maximum Of $45,-
000, 900, and in character from a small
store house to a complete port ter
minal and powder manufacturing
plant, all having one common charac-
teristic, namely, that they are needed
in the shortest possible time. For
the additional housing of troops there
are in prospect about forty jobs, ag-
gregating 1890, 100000. The above
makes a grand total of construction
executed, under way, or in prospect,
of approximately 1884, 1000, 900, exclu-