The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-12-15
Especial to the LABOR Worldly

Especial to the LABOR WOrld.)
Minneapolis, Dec. 14.-Trouble is
brewing in the labor organizations Of
the Twin Cities as result Of the
scramble for endorsements on the part
Of half dozen aspirants for appoint
ments as state labor commissioner. For
a while it looked as if meeting of
representatives of the various unions
might be called to make a selection
from the bunch and give him the solid
for the place. But now it looks more
likely that such a meeting may be
called to denounce the tactics that may
be employed by all Of them to secure
endorsements from the various in
dividual unions.
They are making it point to visit
the unions at their meetings and secure
opportunity to make speeches relative
to their work in behalf Of labor organ
izations in the past and their undying
devotion to the cause in the future.
The man who can manage to gain ad-
mission to a union first is most likely
to secure it's endorsement. But after
endorsements have ben secured in some
of the unions in this way, the friends of
otheur candidates make a protest
against hasty action and snap judg-
ment, and in some cases even charge
trickery. The effect is to stir up strife
instead of uniting on the main point
the appointment of a man who will con-
duct the department free from political
influence and in a manner that may
+>,;,> 1E fNs1vf in
economic and Industrial problems.
1T is a disgrace to the labor organ
izations of the state" said one of
party of leading spirits in the Minnea-
polls labor movement, who was en-
gagged in discussion of the subject
last evening. THE tendency of men
| who gain a little prominence in labor
organizations to make use of it in a
scramble for political jobs is becoming
disgusting and is making the power OF
organized labor in politics a standing
joke.
IF the labor bureau is to be con-
Quoted free from politics, as it should
be, why should we ask what a mans
politics are before endeavoring to have
! him appointed. The man who is now
! in the office was an active Republican
| before he was appointed He may have
| worked for Gov. Lind's election. but he
has not been a partisan in any sense
nor has he, so far as I can learn, al.
| lowed the work of the bureau to be
! influenced by politics in the slightest
degree. He was selected on the recon-
mendations Of the labor Organiza tons
If they have found any fault with his
method of running the office they have
made no protest. But now, fault is be-
ing found with his work by those who
are seeking the job for themselves. HI
has spent two years educating himself
in the work. Why do not the unions
unite in demand that he be retained
THAT would test the willingness o.
1.-The administration to allow the labor
organizations to make the selection, a:
has been represented. These would-bt
statisticians answer: But you mus
recommend q Republican, or one will
be selected from the outside I say
let the selection be made from the out
side then. Republican governors, in thu
past, made appointments of commits
sioners without inquiring as to thei
politics, when the labor organization
united on their man, and if Van San
declines to do so we will know NOR
about the sincerity of his statement
that the labor organizations may con
troll the appointment. A peculiar feat
ure of the scramble is the number o
aspirants who are now holding politi
cal jobs