The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-14

The second and last day of the con-
vention of the Minnesota Federation of
Labor was taken up with business
and several warm passages occurred,
although the heat of the debate quickly
cooled off.
The first thing to come up this fore
noon was the report of the committee
on state reports. The recommendation
that an organizer be placed in the field
was turned down. 1t was decided to
favor prison made goods if labeled as
such.
The report of the committee on rules
was adopted
The recommendation that the officers
furnish bonds was adopted. 1t was
also decided to purchase seal.
Some discussion was had over the
printing of the proceedings, and the
matter was referred back to the COM
mittee.
The recommendation that the execu-
tive committee secure needed legisla-
ton at the next session of the legisla-
ture was adopted. X,
while other committees were prepar-
ing their reports, G. L. Rockwell of
Minneapolis, secretary of the Eight
Hour Day Grand League of America,
gave an address. He commended the
pure food, child labor and primary
detection laws, and favored an eight
hour day law, suggesting that it be
made political issue. - -
DR.. Driver was called for and men
toned the prime objections raised
!against such a law, that it would lessen
the product or require an increased
working force. He said that it would
be better to lessen product than to
lessen life, but as matter Of fact
more would be produced in eight
hours by the increased vitality and in
tellectuality of the man. The govern:
ment had found this to be the case ac-
cording to official reports. He suggest
ed that the campaign be pressed until
it was crowned with victory. = =
John Swift of Minneapolis, organize1
of the American. Federation of Labor,
said that too much could not be done
for the champions of the people, who
are sacrificing their lives for the poor.
The spirit of brotherly love and Chris
tian charity should be cultivated more.
He favored the eight-hour plan, and
closed by moving that a vote Of
thanks be extended to DR.. Driver,
which was done by rising vote. -
The committee on officers reports
recommended that the proceedings be
published in supplement form by some
newspaper, and that bids we received
The report was adopted.
The Resolutions.
The committee on resolutions report
ed upon all of the resolutions that haG
been referred to it.
A resolution that the Internationa
Union of Steam Engineers and the In
ternational Brotherhood of Stationary
Firemen have exclusive jurisdiction
over the engineers and firemen wa
referred back to the author.
A resolution was adopted, pledgins
, the Federation to render all possible
assistance to the organization of thu
bag factory employees of the state tt
establish their label on -four sacks an(
to patronize -four so labeled.
The Federation..voted to endorse thu
union stamp -.of the Boot and sSho'
Workers union and to request all it
, members to demand it when purchas
ing these articles, and to urge all boo
and shoe factories in the state tt
adopt the use of the stamp, to the enc
that working men and women Cal
consistently patronize home industry
1t was voted to send copies of thi
resolution to the factory owners.
A resolution was adopted, endorsing
the boycott on the Marshall, WE'LL
Hardware Co. of Duluth and refusing
to purchase its goods or patronize an.
dealer who handles them.
Union No. 20 of st. Paul of tn,
National Alliance of Theatrical Stag
, Employees unions, asked the assistanc,
of the Federation to adjust the wag'
scale with the proprietors of the Grant
, opera house at ST. Paul, and asking i
to boycott the house if the matter can
ha Cd Tod
Sc. 70 week. The committee recon
mended that this be referred to tn,
Federation council for investigation
G. h. Brown of st. Paul said ..tha
the Metropolitan is no better than tn
Grand. He moved that the request o
the stage employees be granted.
E. G. Ives of st. Paul thought it I'm
wise to take it up, as it was merely ;
local matter and the opera house i
! closed for the season. 1t was matte
for the st. Paul Trades and Labor as
sembly to look after.
| Delegate O'Riley of Minneapoli
J said that the houses of the manager O
the Grand are popular with the labor
ing men in Minneapolis, and h
thought that the matter could be ad
: justed with Minneapolis influence.
On motion of Lewis Tanson of Min
neapolis, the matter was referred t,
the Federation council TO cooperate