St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-20
The Labor Temple Filling a
Want Long Felt as a
Headquarters.
Something About the 0rgani-
cations That Meet Within
It's Halls.
The Trade and Labor Assem-
bly, Condemns the Prison
Contract System.

industrial circles Ill minneapolis since
the erection of the labor temple. AL
though not fully completed. yet the fin
ishing of the third floor has given all
the trades unions and K. of l.. assem-
blies an opportunity to meet in a CEN
trail location instead of being scattered
in various halls throughout the city, as
has been the case in past years. There
are a half-dozen halls of various sizes,
and in each of these may be found an
organization of some sort every night
in the week. The large hall is used for
public meetings and balls.
~
About twenty-five societies meet at
the temple during the week, among
them a society of working girls which
meets once a week for discussion and
mutual improvement. Among those
crafts lately organized are the bakers
and tailOrS. The bakers once had a
flourishing organization, which lapSed.
but is now in way to be reorganlZed.
In addition to the secret organizations
there is the Trades and Labor assembly,
consisting Of one or more delegates
from each X. of L.. assembly and trades
union, meeting the second and fourth
Friday evenings of each month, for the
discussion of local topics, occasionally
suggesting and enforcing remedies
where abuses exist. This assembly is
always largely attended, and many live
ly discussions arise in the course of
its deliberations.
~
The Social Science institute has re-
fn, II
sion of all questions of interest. The
day evening. j. p. McGaughey pre-
senting an able essay, showing the ed
ucational and moral benefits which
would accrue to the industrial popula-
ton from reduction in the number of
hours of labor.
This evening there will be discus
sion of Social Law" opened by an
essay from T. II. Lucas, followed by a
general debate. No admission is
charged, and all who take an interest
in social and political questions are
welcome to attend and participate in
the discussions.
On the second floor of the Labor Tenn
pie the Stephens Library association
are fitting up on the corner facing Eighth
avenue and Fourth street. This room is
about 20X65. well-lighted and pleasantly
situated. When finished it will be util-
lied as free readlng-rGOm, and be sup
piled with all the leading periodicals.
The Stephens Library association was
incorporated in February. 1888, and has
now a capital stock of nearly 81 800.
The officers are: W. =. McGaughey.
nrncidnnt. g q ('nmpn caoratarv. Mrs
Emma Kobler, treasurer. Shares are 81
each, with slight membership fee.
Several liberal donations of books have
already been received from private citi-
ZenS, and the directors hope to open the
library by early spring.
-
Cooperative institutions have been
more successful in Minneapolis than
any other city in the Union. The
cooper shops furnish perhaps the best
instances. and from them the idea has
taken hold upon other trades. The
Ladies' Protective association is taking
active steps toward forming a new
cooperative company for the manu-
facture of overalls, jumpers and such
other lines OF furnishing goods as are
usually manufactured by such con-
panies. This will give steady en-
plOyment to Il number of girls. and the
needs of the working population will
readily create a market for the goo"s.
Several organizations are aiding the
ladies in their efforts.
~
The recent failure of the Mercantile
Cooperative company has discouraged
some advocates of cooperation. But
the reason of the failure was apparent
Stockholders would take goods on credit
until the amount of their stock was
used, then decline to pay, saying that
they preferred to withdraw their stock.
This short-sIghted policy on the part of
the stakeholder SO crippled the company
that it was unable to longer transact
business.
m*
In contrast to this failure is the sue
cess of the Cooperative Supply store in
North Minneapolis. Starting less than
year ago with a cash capital of 800, il
is now upon a paying basis, with good
credit established, and by the harmoni-
Gus action of its stockholders has saved
Its patrons, the transfers, round sum
in the shape of profits.