The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1898-06-18
SECRETARY M'EwEN's REPORT.

gSECtEIARY M EVEN 5 REPORIs
To the Officers and Delegates of the
II Minnesota State Federation of Labor:
AS quickly speeds the footsteps of
time, we again find ourselves meeting in
convention and assembled for the pur.
pose of endeavoring to ameliorate the
conditions Of ourselves and our constitu-
ents. How successful we will be re-
mains to be seen. =.s@s. e..
Since the st. Cloud convention there
has been q very large increase in the
business of the Federation. Cores
pondence has increased to such an ex-
tent that it has required a good deal of
time to give it the necessary attention.
The. work Of organization has pro-
gressed very rapidly considering the
time allotted for our work. .:.
Iast June we decided to begin the
work 81 compile etely organizing our state.
Although we were somewhat delayed in
beginning the work on account Of the
slow reports from the local unions, never
theless we were instrumental in effecting
the organization of nineteen new unions.
Pursuant to instructions from the last
convention, I submitted to popular vote
of the local unions the question of
amending the constitution of the FEEDER
alton, relating to a one cent tax per
month on each member Of affiliated
unions. There was some delay in the
beginning on submitting the vote, but it
was finally speedily presented after some
technical questions had been decided.
One in particular, which caused consid-,
cradle discussion among the officers and
Federation Council, was the manner Of
taxing central bodies. - ...- .I
On account of the rush of business at
the last convention there was no pro-
vision made for the tax on central labor
bodies. provided the amendment
to the constitution was car
ried by members Of affiliated iunions.
There being many differences of opinion
among central bodies with reference to
their tax, for the sake of harmony it was
agreed that they be taxed as previously
one dollar per delegate in attendance
at convention.
To avoid future complications I would
suggest that the ruling Of the council be
inserted in the constitution, as it ap-
pears to be the most popular and equal
method to taxing central labor bodies.
After trial of one month of the per
capita plan of taxation all doubts of it's
success were removed.
Today we can proudly report that the
Federation was never in better condi-
ton financially than at present. The
unions have responded nobly to the call
and the future success Of the Minnesota
State Federation of Labor is now guar
anteed beyond reasonable doubt
Good organizers are in demand.
Money remains in treasury awaiting its
disposal for work in the field. The un-
organized parts of our state can be read.
lily reached, had we volunteers to spare
time to help us in the good work.
Today organized labor really repre-
sents but a comparatively small per-
centage of the producers of our state.
There is no apparent reason why we can
not continue the work of organization
hence; the amelioration of the wage
earners with greater vigor and greater
success than ever before.
Since the last convention the follow.
ing new unions have paid their afflliation
fee and have affiliated with this body:
Cloquet Mill Workers union, Duluth
Machinists' union, Duluth Steam En-
gineers' union, Duluth Stone Masons'
union, Red Wing Potters' union, North