Denver labor bulletin., 1918-08-17
August 12, 1918.

To the Officers and Delegates to the
Twenty-third Annual Convention
of the Colorado State Federation
of Labor:
Esteemed Colleagues and Fellow
Workers: In complying with the re-
quirements of our constitution, it is my
duty to give you an account of my
stewardship of your affairs. AS you
know, my time in the office as presi-
dent has been short; you also know
the history of the events that led up
to the vacancy which l was elected to
fill. Let us hope that never again
will the labor movement in Colorado
experience conditions within its ranks
such as it has faced in the last year.
Now, while we deeply deplore the
troubles of the coal miners in Colo
RADIO, let us not lose sight of the fact
that right, honesty and justice can
safely be supported by any man, or
set of men; to think otherwise would
bring disaster and ruin to our cause.
When we consider the number of
our members who are in the army and
navy and those who have left the
state to help in shipbuilding and other
n, w
ing and adding to our strength in the
past year. Yet must we do more.
There never was time in the his
tory of the organized labor move
ment when organization was needed
as it is today But the work of the
Federation is hampered by lack of
funds 1t is necessary for us to main
tain an office-and let me say l be-
lieve this office should be located where
the state legislature meets-and when
we pay the expenses of this office, the
salary of the secretary (Which is none
too large), one board meeting year
and the expenses of the convention
exhausts about all of our funds.
Our constitution says: 1.-The presi-
dent shall be the organizer for the
Federation" but does not provide the
funds, and it is my belief that our
funds should be raised by per capita
tax, and / further believe that, if
fund of $500 were available at this
time, a great many unions could be
organized thruout the state. This
matter is worthy of serious consid-
Grafton by the delegates.
The organization of the packing
house industry of the country is one
of the greatest achievements ever ac-
complished by organized labor. Pack
ing house workers in Denver and
Pueblo are now realizing the benefits
in the way of a shorter workday and
increased wages.
With Uncle Sam running the rail
roads, the membership of the metal
growth. The machinists, boilermak-
ers, blacksmiths and helpers in the
metal trades, the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Carmen of America and other
railroad organizations are growing
steadily. One railroad which was no
torious as a non-union road under
President Ripley is now said to be one
of the best organized roads in the
country. l refer to the Atchison, To-
peka & Santa Fe.
The organization of the street rail-
way employees of Denver recently was
a victory won after struggle OF
years. All honor to those who have
worked increasingly to bring these
boys into the fold. The way that
union was organized and the number
obligated at the first meeting made it
one of the big events of the year in
Colorado.
The War.
The one thing we must do above
all others is to win the war. In all
that we undertake this winning of the
war must come first. All factional
differences within our ranks should be
submerged so that we can use our full
strength in fighting the common foe.
At the inception of the war propa-
ganda was spread among the members
of organized labor in this state in an
effort to sow seeds of discomfort with
our government Let it be said that
the labor movement in Colorado was
shrewd enough to see thru the "kul-
tur" takers schemes.
President Gompers has said: "The
lights of freedom would go out in
the whole world if we do not win this
war" Yes! The lights of freedom
would 90 out, but we know the lights
of freedom will continue to burn for
America and her allies. We have no
fear on that score. Furthermore, l
believe the lights of freedom will burn
with greater brilliancy for the whole
world when this struggle for the free
dom of mankind is ended.
Labor is nobly doing its share to
make the world safe for democracy.
The words of commendation given by
our great President, Woodrow Wilson,
should be enough to convince even our
enemies. We know how the members
of organized labor have met every call
that has been made; our service flags
are covered with myriads of stars, and
every day adds many more to their
number. We, of all the people, have
given until it hurts-Liberty bonds,
thrift stamps, Red Cross and the many
splendid organizations doing war work,
all have met with hearty response
from the workers.
Again we quote President Gompers: !:
'sFor our country, we will give all that
we have, but for profit, nothing" The
man who coins wealth at the expense