The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-06-02


ing Of Labor Ever Held In This
stnte-The Convention Should De-
wise Ways AMI Means for More
Cnmnlete Orwa nixatiOn Of nhOr.
AS the time for holding the Red Wing |
convention of the Minnesota State Fed |
GRAFTON of Labor is drawing nearer,
much more interest is shown in the |
work of getting good convention.
More credentials have been received
than were delegates at any former con-
vention. Unions that have heretofore
been unconcerned in the work of the
Federation are affiliating every day,
and are electing delegates to the con-
VentiOn.
There is no question but that it will
be the greatest labor meeting ever held
within the borders of this state, and
why should it not be? Never before
has there been so much interest in
the organization of labor. The move
ment itself has never been very pOpu-
lar, principally because it has sent out
Ino word catchy literature to poison
1.-THE surface of things.
The trades unions are just simple.
plain and practical organizations that
will secure for the wage earners of the
Estate better homes, shorter hours, high
Ter wages and better working conditions
along the lines of the least cost, the
least sacrifice, and the greatest result
ant benefits. Trade unions when prop
lerly organized and judiciously operated
can be of the very best service to its
members, and when improperly organ
/ lied and injudiciously operated can be
of the very worst. What labor of the
state wants is good reliable men, who
understand the basic principles of the
| trade union movement, and who can
properly organize and advise new un
ions. The time is at hand for the most
effective work to be done. The miners
Of the iron ranges, the farm employees,
men working in the smaller cities
where there are insufficient members
of any craft to form distinct trade
union, in the stone quarries, and in the
factories of our state is a splendid
| field for organization. He who can do
the best good there will receive the
greatest reward. Unselfish, self-sacri-
flcing men are wanted, and so long as
their purpose is pure, so long will they
be successful.
| Let the coming convention devise
ways and means whereby We can carry
on the work of organization with
greater effect than ever before.
Red Wing Federal Labor union re-
Gently organized by John B. Swift, of
the Minneota State Federation of La
Dor, has membership of nearly 300,
and lis still growing. II, 5
II Rochester cigarmakers will be repre-
sented for the first time at the conven4i
ton Of the State Federation Of Labor
by M. ]. Dunphy. its enterprising sec
rotary.
There has been little change in the
situation as regards the Woodworkers
on strike lin various factories in Min
neapolis. There are at present, how
lever, only small number of those who
walked out who are unemployed, and
the chance for a final victory is good
Most of those who are out of the pla-
ces refusing to sign the agreement have
secured employment elsewhere and
those who are unemployed will be TAX
en- care of by the International and by
those who are employed, so that it
seems as If the matter is simply ques-
ton of which side can stay out the
longest. The employers are finding it
extremely difficult to run their places
q Iin1 oF I,11n
outside Of the union, and are losing
money every day they run under pres
ent conditions. :
The St. Paul branch of the Coopers'
International union which went out on
strike May last, have the satisfaction
of having it's agreement for the year
accepted by the bosses. All Of the men,
bers of the union returned to work
Monday last, and all the difficulties of
the union are now settled for another
year. The Hamm Brewing Co. was the
first to sign the agreement for a new
scale.
The unions comprising the building
trades Of Minneapolis are busily engag-
ed in adding to the beauty and wealth
of the city, in the shape of new build
lngs, additions and improvements. and
very few Of these artisans are idle at
this time.
All the different unions1are Showing
considerable interest in the convention
OF the State Federation of Labor. and
Will be represented by full delegations.
Several of the unions which>,have not
been affiliated with the Federation will
nave delegates at the next convention.
which meets at Red Wing on June 18th,
and which will be, without doubt. the
largest and most influential meeting of
that body which has ever been held.
The Paper Hangers union of St, Pan,
IS the latest to affiliate with the State
Federation of Labor Coopers' union
NO. 81. of st. Paul. re-affiliated during
the week.
President M. E. ,Neary, of the State
Federation of Labor says the Minneap-
OILS unions will oona ox,ov. Inn