Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1896-12-18

The myriAds of tOilers of our country OBJ
serve with q quickened and most acute
sense the burdens they have to bear, not
withdrawing the marvellous progress
which should tighten them. We see our
country poisoning forth like rose,
through our handiwcrk, yet countless
thousands of our number have but the
sting of the thorn for their reward or their
consolation. Encircled with wizard
like Instruments the result of the con-
certrated genius of ages, to produce the
necessities and luxuries Of life,
still the struggle of life is most
intense and often excruciating.
Greed and inhumanity. providing
they result in wealth. are still regarded as
human attributes of victory and respecta-
tility. Masses of the young and the inno-
cent may suffer and decay in the process.
but this is of little concern, only that the
end, wealth's possession by the few, is at
tanned.
BY all the memories which bind us to
the heoric sacrifices Of past struggles of
the lowly, by the recognition of the battles
fought and won and the wounds received,
by the nobility Of our purposes, the free
dom for which we strive for all is as sure
as that night follows day and that day fol-
lows night.
Legislation by Congress.
In the matter Of legislation by congress
only fair progress can be reported. There
are too few members of congress who are
elected upon distinctive labor issues or
committed to labor's interests. Hence,
the members Of congress imagine that the
special interests of labor have small need
to be considered. Experience, however,
has demonstrated that with persistency On
the part of organized labor, legislation in
the interests of theworkers of our country
can be secured, providing we have at the
halls Of legislation our committees, who
will act regardless of results to any party
or to any man, looking only to success
along the line of labor legislation sought
In the matter Of legislation in the say
eral states much better progress has been
reported. There are few states in which
laws have not been passed in the interest
of labor Under the police authority of
several states many measures looking.to
of the workers, better sanitary conditions
of factary and workshop, lien laws and
factory laws have been enacted Nearly
oil the states now have. bureaus of labor
statistics and also factory inspectors. In
nearly every instance the officers required
to carry out these laws have been appoint
ed from the ranks of labor. OF course
there remains much to be desired on this
score and the making Of constant advances
should receive our earnest consideration.
Speaking of the recent industrial and
financial depression, Mr.. Gompers
said:
That our panic was mot more acute and
did not do more harm than it did, is;due
more to our movement than to all other
elements and forces combined. Indus
trial crises and stagnation result from
many causes, but particularly from the
lack of opportunity of the workers to- coll
sumo more largely of the product Of their
lab1 4 reduction in wages 1zeans
lesser consumption Of these products, thus
rendering the labor of other workers
unnecessary, and throwing tFeaa out
Of employment. The crisis becomes in
tensified and prolonged. Whatever else
the enemies of our movement may urge
against it no one can dispute that the Or
Plantations Of labor have very largely, if
not entirely, prevented great reduction
in wages which would otherwise have
taken place. Hence, the world owes to
the trades union movement q debt of
gratitude which 1t can never repay for the
miseries it has prevented and the oppor-
tunity that it presents for the natural and
gradual progress of industrial, social and
moral influences.
Increased Membership.
BY dint of energy and perseverance a
very large increase in the membership of
our general movement has resulted. In
round numbers nearly 100 900 more work.
ers are members of the unions affiliated
than was the case year ago. The report
of the secretary shows that 2O7 charters
were issued to local unions as
against III in 1896; that II
national and international trades unions
have become affiliated by charter with the
American Federation of Labor, and also
% central labor bodies. This does not in
clude tbs new locals. The Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen, the Green Glass
Bottle Blowers national association, and
the Plumbers and Gasftters' national
association are voting upon the PROPOSE
ClOn TO affiliate. ;,
Mr.. Gompers also discussed immigra
ton restriction and strikes. Regarding
the latter he said that method of set
thing disputes was deplorable, but at
times necessary.
/, Seven Schooners Wrecked.
n III