The labor world., 1899-06-17

The seventeenth annual convention
of the State Federation of Labor has
passed into history. ItWas the largest
labor convention ever held in the state.
There were large delegations from
every city Of any Importance and
every branch of organized labor was
represented by duly elected delegates.
Ample arrangements were made BY
the local committees for the enter.
tainment of the delegates and they
all returned home with a. good i'm.
preston of Duluth and its commercial
interests. 3
The ladies both as delegates and: yis7
itors were here in greater numbers IN
than at any convention previously held.
They were taken in charge Of by the:
ladies' entertainment eommtttee and
lthe.dr stay In the city made most pleas
ant. sstss
" The convention was called to order
! in Odd Fellows hall by Henry Dwor-
schak of the entertainment commit;
tee. Mayor Truelsen was present and and.
in a few well chosen and appro PIRATE
remarks welcomed the visitors. Ten-
#dered them the freedom Of the city,
wished them q pleasant and profitable
visit and safe return to their homes.
..rliere was time, said the mayor,
when labor was: degrading TO q man.
1t was done by slaves and serfs. The
times thave changed. Now, At B ts not only nj
honorable to labor, but dishpnorabaee not not
to labor. who does not labor - a. non ron
entity In creation. Who does not labor
shall not eat God SAYS. In the sweat
OF thy brow shalt thou at thy bread. !. II
is the duty of every one to take up the
burden of labor. Egt.5,3i s5
..In times past organization was not
SO necessary. but the times have changed.
Now 1t Is necessary to organize for self
protection. 3sass 4 ,S$ Ss q
'.Yon are here to deliberate on great
concerns The welfare Of the Wnoles coun-
try, I may say, is involved. for wllat
would we do without labor? II is labor
that makes any country great; that builds
great cities and improves great farms
out tof the wilderness wnere the Indian
ttrod and the wild animal. So abor repre-
sents the most honorable element of the
community. ~: 81 = !
..see the great trusts that now exist.
Fifty years ago it was not so necessary
tc organize. Then the laborers dealt with
Individuals: now, they deal with corpora
tlons. Then, the servant of today was the
master of tomorrow. Now, how Is It? II
is truly said that corporations have no
souls. They are represented by officers
who receive their orders from above.
ConsiG arations purely Of business govern.
Formerly the employer and workman labs
ored together; now. labor Is treated as a
machine There is no sympathy in the
relations between 1t and the. employer; it
is pure business y q
The progress of education among those
w'lro labor was alluded to, laborers often
being better informed than business men
today, 1T was asserted. ss5:. szi5 e
.'Organized labor is bound to prosper.
continued the speaker, .but you must not
be selfish. You must recognize the right
OF all. Then you will have the friendship
of ALL You must not isolate yourselves:
The great community is side by side with
you and Its interests must be recognized: ::
.'We might express the hope that a way
might he found to prevent strikes.
lpope for arbitration,'' said he. Strikes are
harmful to both sides and to all who de-
pend on labor, for when labor suffers, all
suffer-"
He expressed the hope that prosperity
might attend the deliberation. If they
benefited themselves. they benefited all.
In conclusion. i.seexpressed the hope that
The visitors would carry pleasant recol-
lectlons with them and come again, assur-
ing them that they would always have a
hearty welcome. SggS . .t
Hearty applause followed the mayors
remarks.
President Kriz of the Trades assembly
extended a welcome in behalf of that
body. In the name of outraged and suffer-
Ing humanity he welcomed the delegates,
he said. They had gathered to council In
the cause of those who were banded to-
gether to fight for the rights of those who
toll and to fight the incroachments Of
greedy and tyrannlcal capital.
1.-The delegates are assembled,,' said he,
"to deliberate on questions of importance
not only to organized labor. but to unor-
ganized labor as well. It Is our duty to