The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-23
Interesting Features of the Trades
and Labor Council.
CON MENT IS FAVORABLE
The Documents Are Conservative and
Thoughtfui-A Marked Absences of
Radical Sentiment In the
Sessions OF the Council.

in session In Missoula. have been the
annual addresses of President Fergu-
son of Missoula and Secretary Hogan
Of Butte. Both of these documents are
conservative and thoughtful. and have
been the theme of much favorable
comment from those who listened to
them. They contain much that is good
and many suggestions that. II carried
out, will be of benefit to the cause that
they represent. The whole tone of the
sessions of the meeting thus far has
been conservative. n there has been
a marked absence Of the radical senti-
ments that have been popularity sup
posed TO control the meetings of the
council. At the omen meeting last
night at Union hall. there was n rood
attendance OF men who are not dele
gates to the councils meeting. and to
these the addresses of the delegates
who spoke were full of interest. The
presence of Ed Boyce, president of the
Western Federation Of Miners. was a
pleasant feature of the session. espe-
cially as IL was somewhat OF a sur
prise. Mr.. Boyce was on the way from
Wallace to Butte. when he was inter-
cepted here by President Ferguson m
induced to remain in Missoula for a
day or so. His remarks at the open
meeting were pleasant and were con-
fined principally to urging the dele
gates to use their best efforts toward
bringing o an organization of la
Dor interests in the West hat will be
solid and permanent and that will be
an example to the warning factions OF
the East. His remarks were greeted
with applause. "Coxey" Hogan was
another OF the speakers OF the even
ing. and his talk was an enthusiastic
one. He urged the members to stand
together and to remain true to the
cause that they represent. He said
that the only way In which the organ-
izations Of labor can win out is for
them to stand together on a conserva-
tive basis. Then the aim of their or
~ganizations will be attained. The adj
dress of President Ferguson was as
follows:
To the officers and Delegates OF the
Montana Trades and Labor Council:
Fellow Workmen: Again the pleasant
duty devolves upon mn of submitting
for your consideration. certain subjects
brought into prominence by the vents
of the ~ months which have elapsed
since u last meeting. Whether at
tributable to good MANAGEMENT or good
fortune. IL Is nevertheless true that the
unions of this state have cause for con
graduation in their freedom from seri-
u trouble during h year. While at
times II seemed that n clash was in
evitable and the possibilities of the
repetition of the sad scenes of Occur
d'Alene. Hazelton, Homestead and Vir-
den lowered darkly over our heads.
they have happily passed away. Many
minor difficulties nave been satisfac-
torily adjusted. and the material inter-
ests of the workers advanced. Among
the sawmills and lumbermen the IL
-. H. - -
ished. Work In the building trades has
been more plentiful than for some time.
and the union regulations relative to
wages and hours very generally en-
forced. A vast amour OF work i'm
forming new unions and in extending
the membership of old ones has been
accomplished. In this connection per-
no greater cause for congratula-
tion exists han in the renewed activ-
ity among h organizations of the
railroad men. so badly wrecked during
the great strike OF 1894. II is u duty
to extend To them all possible assist
ance In their work of reorganization,
and an especial effort should be made
to induce these brotherhoods 10 be rep
resented by delegates to this body.
Indeed the increase in organization and
the quickened interest i'm unionism pre-
dicted in the presidents report I'm the
convention I'm Anaconda seems to be
verified. Union men and women are
being enlightened more and more upon
the frightful evils attendin" our pres
ent Industrial system. They dread
more and more its gradual approach
from the monopoly-ridden East and its
final supremacy over all who toll. 1t
In clearly the duty of this body tn bold-
1y and fearlessly attack his pernicious
system. n to outline and pursue such
policies as will check its advance for
the present and eventually destroy II.
root and branch. IND establish in its
stead n system founded upon justice
n equity. A system which will abol-
ish snecial privileges for the few. n
system under which production and
distribution will be conducted for the
benefit and advancement OF the whole
people. and under the struggle for ex-
~istence. the abject misery and untold
suffering OF thousands of toilers now
forced upon them through the failure
Of the present system. will be abol-
ished. Surely there is good reasons to
hope for relief In a movement so just
and holy, a movement now engaging
the attention OF the thinkers and toll
ers OF the world. and which promises
TO remedy the present frightful condi-
lions. The rade unions are generally
performing their part in bringing about
the desired change. There must be no
backward step let us close up the
~ oh' htaf,h btiaf ioNaih W Nlt
establishment OF the cooperative COM
monwealth. The lessons of consolida-
ton as taught by capital are not to b.
lightly passed by. or allowed TO go un-
needed. Neither politics. nationality.
religion nor any other question is al
lowed to cause dissension among the
trusts monopolies. and they must
not be allowed To do so among us. We
must firmly resolve TO stand united to
advance the interests of measures and
men favoring our ideas. We must. IL
we would enjoy the full fruits Of our
labor. break away from the idea OF
tobooing politics. The laws OF the land
are made through political methods.
n we as unionists are virtually inter
ested. Let US shun all e~ntangling al
iances with parties. but exercising our
memories and our rights let us work
for the triumph Of our cause united
n irresistible. Let MS not make the
error of trying TO do too much. There
are steps to be taken in the path OF re-
form each stem should he carefully