The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-06-15
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Was Complete and Concise, and in
Part Was as Follows.

was complete ana concise, anu In
Part Was as Follows.
To the officers and, delegates to the
Minnesota State Federation of Labor
in convention assembled:
Mr.. President and Delegates: It is
with extreme pleasure that I offer to
you the following concise report of the
transactions of the office of Secretary
Treasurerer for the year just closed.
Since I have held this honorable po-
sition, have noticed a slow and steady
increase in the revenue, correspond
ence, and general business of the
Minnesota State Federation of Labor.
Each year brings new results of our
efforts The revenue has been greater
this year than ever before. The cor
respondence has increased wonderfully,
and the general business in like pro-
portion.
The entire financial report may be
summarized as follows:
Balance as reported at the last
convention NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $459.6l
: Received from Federation Coun-
Gil Of 1900. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2.O6
Received from unions. s............ $40. 80
Total receipts ................$ ..$l37l.99
Expenditures to June 9th, 1900 $745.30
Balance in the treasury June 9th,
1901 .. ............. $6z6.o
Thirty-nine unions affiliated since the
filing of our last report. This is the
greatest record ever made in the state.
While we have been fortunate in in
ducing the above number to join with
us, yet there are still large number
it advisable to affiliate.
Federal Labor Unions.
That the Federation is moving on
ward can be seen by the number Of
delegates in attendance at this con-
vention. It is true that a. too large
proportion hail from the larger cities
Of the state, yet we should feel proud
of the good attendance from the small
Ter cities, in which some effective work
was done. To my mind there is moth
ing so important as the organization
Of the workers in the smaller cities.
If our efforts in them have not been
crowned with success, it is because
our system of organization is bad. It.
matters little how much prejudice
against trade unions in the smaller
cities may exist, visit among the
working men there will insure any OBJ
server that there is good reasons for
educational work. I have given this
part Of the question considerable
thought, and it is my firm opinion that
the workers of these cities can be
organized with success.
We can give them an organization.
if we do our duty at this convention
that will give to every man who joins
some immediate returns. ~,fs
I would respectfully recommend that
an organization committee be appoint
ed for this meeting, whose duty it shall
be to draft a constitution to apply to
all Federal Labor Unions in the small
ler cities, along the following lines:
The membership Of such unions to con-
sist of only bona fide wage earners.
The union to- be divided into craft
committees, every member of any trade
shall be member of his craft COM
mittee. - -
Should anything arise that directly
interferes with or benefits any partic-
ular craft, it shall be referred to the
craft committee affected. 4
For instance: If the union consists
of a. certain number of carpenters, ci-
garmakers, printers and others, and
If anything should arise that should
affect the trade Of the carpenters, the
matter is 70 be referred to them for
an attempt Of settlement, and then
referred to the Federal Labor Union
for final action. The wisdom Of this
will be recognized when we remember
that no one knows so much about his
trade, and its peculuarities as the
,r%1 On I