The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-15
"'TollERS ORGANIZE IS WATCnWoRD
President Neary is Reelected, the Secre=
tary-Treasurership Again Comes
to Duluth-Otfer Officers.

Ellis, J. w. Mclaughlin, Of Minneapolis,
E. B. Lott and J. F. Krieger, of St.
Paul. The committee were instructed
particularly in reference to the eight
hour workday. The committee were
successful in securing the adoption of
resolution by both the Democratic and
Republican parties favoring the enact
ment of a law making eight hours a
legal work day, though it met with con-
siderable opposition in one of the con-
VentiOns, of which I will have more
to say later on. The agitation started
at the conventions in my judgment had
beneficial affect upon the members of
the legislature. It showed our strength
and made it possible to secure. the en-
actment of an eight hour law in the,
closing hours of the legislature. While
this law is not what we wanted or
would like to see, still it is a good start
and makes it easier to amend an old
law than to secure the adoption of a
new one. A great deal of credit is due
Mr.. John O'Donnell, state labor com
missioner, and Mr.. G. H. Becker, the
federation representative, for the pas
sage of this law.
In reference to the opposition
to the eight hour movement met with
in one of the political conventions, and
of which I referred to above, I desire
to say a few words, and give the dele
gates the facts at this time. The day
after the Republican state convention
] was informed upon reliable authority
I: by delegates to the conventions that
one particular delegate made a most
bitter fight against the adoption of the
resolution. Later. on, while received
no written report from the committee,
I received a verbal report from three
members Of the committee to the same
effect that this particular delegate not
only fought the resolution in the CON-
mittee or resolutions but also fought it
on the floor of the convention. Know
ing this, when this man became a can
didate for United States senator deem
ed it not only my duty to do all in my
power to oppose his election, but that I
would be false to my trust as president
of the Minnesota State Federation Of
Labor if I did not do so.
I took the position that if organized
labor stood idly by and allowed, man
to oppose one of their grandest prin-
ciples to be elected to the highest legis-
lative body in the land, without at least
offering protest, there would be little
use in the future of their trying to Sc
cure any reforms through legislation.
There never has been a law enacted
for the betterment of the laboring man
through any love for him, but through
IT. ;-R
we simply make "bluffs'' and do not
act when the opportunity presents it.
self, then it would be much better if
we never demanded anything in a poll
tical way. I called the attention of the
Federation Council to the matter, and
a resolution condemning the candidacy
of this man was adopted. For my act
ions in endeavOring to defeat this can
didate have received some criticisms.
For this I care not, nor do care how
much or from what source it comes.
I have a free conscience that did my
duty as 1 saw it, and will always con-
tinue to do so.
Aside from the eight hour law the
labor that came before the legislature
bitration Bill, introduced by Represent
tasive Johnson of Hennipin County.
The bill as introduced was compulsory
in it's nature and Immediately attracted
the attention Of all classes interested
in solving the strike question. It was
not satisfactory to the officials of the
federation, and the result was that
after three hours Of deliberation by the
committee on labor, at which session
Mr. O'Donnell, Mr.. Becker and myself
were present, the bill was recommend
ed for indefinite postponement. Later
the house adopted a resolution calling
upon the federation at their next con-
yention to take some action, and SUBJ
NIT to the next legislature some plan
or arbitration. This matter should re-
ceive serious consideration by this con-
vention. It is not necessary for us to
again state that we are in favor of ar
bitration. Organized labor has always
stood for arbitration, but in my judg-
ment arbitration should be voluntary
on the part of all parties concerned, so
that it will be satisfactory to all con-
cerned Under compulsory arbitration
the wage-earners can only see visions
of injunctions, judgments and prison
walls. I would recommend that a
special committee be appointed to take
some action on this matter and report
back to the next convention. @ Il
Convict Labor Problem.
The convict labor problem seems no
nearer solution than ever, although the.