The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-07-13

An Eight Hour League in Duluth is 4
60. Mr.. g. L. Rockwell, Of Minneapolis
secretary of the Supreme Granu 44eA-
que, is in Duluth, and has been busy
during the week preparing for the for
nation Of an organization here. He is
supported by all Of the leading labor
men in the city, and the new organiza-
ton promises to begin business with
three hundred members.
The league differs from trade unions
in many respects. It has no connec-
ton with them. and yet it can be made
powerful ally to the labor movement.
It IL ia political organization, but not
partisan. It is an educational body and
will be a school for the discussion of
economic questions. It will admit to
membership any voter of good moral
character who agrees to the constitu-
tion and bylaws. The only pledge is
that members do all in their power to
secure the enactment of eight-hour
laws in the state and nation. Its aim
Is to eliminate the strike for the short
er workday, by securing legislation in
that respect.
OF cours there must be considerable
work done before effective Eight hour
laws are enacted. The constitutions Of
the United States and Of the several
states will require amendments giving
law making bodies power to legislate
in this respect. But this is no new pro-
position. Just a few years ags when
the New England manufacturers be-
gan to feel the effect of southern COM
petition, on account of the low wages
and long hours in the south, they in
duced every representative in congress
from New England to work for the en-
actment Of a federal eight hour law.
The strongest advocates in congress,
for an amendment to the constitution
as before stated, were from the New
England states. It was then q new
proposition to them. The constitution
is not readily amended. 1t requires
years of education and discussion to
bring the matter ripely before the peu-
pie Of the United States.
The Eight Hour League will he q
potent factor in this work and should
receive the support Of every business
and prefessional man this city,
1llnn66 poHa the movement sha6 S6eC0ln1
immensely popular and the league there
has q membership Of three hundred OF
more. Among the members are such
men as r. G. Evans, recent candidate
for the United States Senate, M. Don
aldson of the Glass Block Store, and
Cyrus Northrup, president Of the State
Y~3~ 0~k@ D
probably one Of the largest employers
Of labor in the northwest, was an en-
thusiastic member at the time Of his
death. $.
The principle clergymen of the city
are also members, and are preaching
Of the movement in their pulpits.
Those who recognize that the univer-
sal eight hour workday is inevitable
will find the league a valuable aid in
it's early securance. We hope to see
evelI honest and sincere citizen of this
cityta member.
The League will be initiated next
Wednesday night at Kalamazoo Hall
Secretary Rockwell has met with re-
markable success.
There are twenty petitions being cir
culated throughout the city. Among
the names are the following well
known citizens: w. l.. Window, A.
Lofgren, J. G.. Ross, J. P. Johnson
| G. q. Richardson, T: w. Hugo, E. r.
Cobb, A. w. Jones, w. S. Mccormick
O:"Halden, VIM. c. Sargent, Jas. A.
Stewart, M. 8. Burrows, W. e. McEwen
and Henry Dworschak.