St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-01
BRIDGING THE CHASM
Capital and Labor in Confer
ence at Labor Hall Last
Evening.
HOW Concerted Action Can Be
Taken for the City'S
Interests.
Propositions to Secure Addi-
tional Manufactures and
Workingmen.
The Agitation in Behalf Of
Home Manufactured Goods
and Products.

The conference between representa-
tives of the Business Mems union and
the trades and labor assembly last
evening at labor headquarters will
doubtless result in much good in the
direction of effecting concerted action
between business men and organized
labor to promote the industrial interests
of st. Paul. The meeting was the out
growth of the recent mass meeting at
Market hall. The executive committee
of the Business Mems union sent for
NAL request to the trades and labor as
Sembly for a conference. This re-
quest was heartily acceded to
and special meeting of the
assembly called, at which representa-
tive business men and laboring men
were asked to be present. The meeting
was representative one. The various
labor organizations were represented
by the most intelligent and business
like NEIL of their unions. Z. c. Ives
presided and broke the ice at once by
straight forward speech that opened
the way for frank discussion of
the objects and aims OF the confer
ence. He stated that only
few years ago labor organizations
of outlaws. because their objects were
misunderstood but change has come
in the estimation put upon organized
labor. While the forty labor organiZa-
tons of the city do not have as large
moneyed interests in st. Paul as have
the mOneyed men, yet they have the
question of livelihood at stake in
building up the local industries. With
this purpose in view they were ready to
discuss plans to develop home manu-
factories. and to exchange views as to
the methods to be pursued. He invited
the representatives of the business
mems union TO a discussion of their
purposes.
Senator Lienau arose and was greeted
with applause. He said:
A large number of the executive commit
tee OF the business mems union expected to
be present, but were called upon to attend a
meeting of the committee Of one hundred
appointed TO secure the national Democratic
convention. But while they are attending
to that important matter Mr. Cullen and my
self are here to discuss home industries with
you and 10 report your plans to our executive
committee. We favor operating on line
laid down in a former meeting held by MS
and which is known to be that of actually
securing new industries in the city. We do
not represent capital alone, but we have in
our organization men of limited means. If
the labor organizations have any plans to
start industries we are ready to aid them in a
substantial way.
Stated by Cullen.
o. o. Cullen was applauded when he
arose 0 speak. He said in substances:
We are working in a modest way. without
desire for notoriety, for the purpose of
building up our manufacturing and CONNER
cial interests Our union was but recently
organized, but is meeting with succe IS
beyond expectation. We ask you to assist
81 =
template raising money for the cause, /
would advise that it be done as organizations
and not as individuals.
Senator Lienau suggested that the
labor organizations would help the
cause in other ways than contributing
money, and advised that cooperative
factories by laboring people be estab-
lished and that the industries estab-
1ished by working people be controlled |
by them.
Louis Nash spoke of the advisability |
of business men patrOniZlng home stores |
and factories.
j. Ward, of the tailOrS' union. thought |
an effort should be made to establish |
furniture factory in st. Paul.
y. Barnard, of the cooperative paint |
shop, spoke of the difficulties encOunt- |
tered by their shop, and said that the |
treatment of the boss painters and |
builders exchange had driven over 100 |
painters from the city. The builders |
exchange had used its influence to pre-
vent the cooperative shop from getting |
work, but the shop is now crowded with |
work.
A representative of the builders ex. |
change arose and questioned the state |
ment that his organization had OPP |
posed the cooperative paint shop, but |
was Quoted by special instances |
cited by Mr.. Barnard and one or two |
Others present who gave the names of |
members of the builders exchange who
refused to allow the cooperative shop
to bid on work.
Mr.. Black asked if the industrial
union was opposed or favorable to Or
ganiZed labor
Senator Lienau and Aid. Cullen both
replied that their union had no connec-
ton with politics, religion or union
labor questions, neither aid it
represent any particular section of
the city. its object being to
help the whole city by bringing new in
dustries to the city, to build up the
enterprises here and afford more work
Tor the Iaborers. The question of or
ganiZed labor was one to be dealt with
by the organizations of that character.
This sentiment seemed sa tisfactOry, and
was rOundly applauded, as was also the
sentiment advanced by the same gen.
tlemen, that they favored agitating the
purchase of goods at home, and especial
Iy urging the wives to buy goods at st.
Paul stores.
No Fake Stores.
James Munro, of the retail clerks,