Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-21
j. F. Byrne Further Endorsed for
Labor Commissioner.
OTHER ASPlRANTS DIES MONIES MEN
Sentiment Almost Unanimous Among
Trades Unionists That CoInmis-
sioner should be Non.Res-
ident of Des nIoines.
From Fridays Daily.l

1 L s.
There are now three candidates in
the field for the appointment of COM
missioner of labor statistics in Iowa.
Two of the aspirants for the office are
Des Moines men and the third is J. i.
Byrne. of this city, one of the most
widely known Grades nnionists in the
state. There is already lively con-
tecst i'll progress fcr the next appoint
ment, and the result will be anNiously
awaited. Mr.. Byrne viii receive
hearty endorsement from nearly, il
not all the labor organizations i'll this
city and will also receive the endorse
ment of a majority of the railroad or
CARNATIONS in the entire state. The
miners are the latest organization to
formally endorse his candidacy which
they did at their meeting at labor hall
last evening.
The two Des NIoines candidates ara
w. G. Waters and Fred L. Barnett. Mr..
Waters has been endorsed by w. e.
O'Bleness, the present incumbent Of
the office, which however, does not, ap.
pear to have discouraged Mr.. Barnett
in the least. Mr.. Waters is member
of the Des Moines Typographical union
No. lis, and Mr.. Barnett is member
of the national sxeculive board of To-
connective tiremen.
A FREUD of Mi t}N.np in speaking
of the contest this $ ,rhine said:
"Joe is allnos; B,i.Gi. OF the an.
pointmeut now iha, liz .,as consented
10 accept it. Se,,s:,. trades unionists
in the city are in receipt of letters, and
they are coming daily, personally en-
dorsins Mr.. Byrne's candidacy. I am
certain that he will be supported al
most to a man bv the railroad organi-
zations, Notwithstanding the fact, that
Mr.. Barnett is member of the ma.
tional executive committee of the lo-
connective fremen. That is not the is
sue. The people want man outside
of Des Moines and from the present
indications, at least, Mr.. Byrne is their
unanimous choice. Thus far every
man who has ever served in that office
has been Des MONIES man. Mr..
Q'Bleness was the mover of the reso-
luton in the Des Moines Trade and
Labor Assembly, endorsing Mr.. Wat
ers, and that makes it apparent that
there is a political faction in the trades
union movement at Des Moines which
would secure the perpetuity of Des
Moines man for the position of labor
commissioner. AT the last convention
of the State Federation of La Dor which
was held in this city, it was the con-
census of opinion among the majority
of the delegates present that the next
labor commissioner should be man
outside of Des AIoines.
Judging from the letters which we
are receiving every day, Mr.. Byrne's
support will come from all over the
state. His having served the cause
rs president of the State Federation of
Labor, gives him prominence which
will be beneficial in this campaign for
the position of labor commissioner.
This is especially true, when we take
] into consideration the successful man
ner in which he conducted the affairs
entrusted 10 him as president of the
Federation. Mr.. Byrne has organized
more unions and has been the means
of adjusting satisfactorily to both en-
ployes and employer, more labor diff
cultics, than any ether one man in the
state.
Another thing in lis favor, Mr..
Byrne is not politician. He has al
ways opposed the Introduction of poll
ties into labor organizations, and by
adhering strictly TO this principle has
been enabled to secure many conces-
sions for the laboring people. and to
benefit everybody in general"