The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14
4 GREAT CONVENTION
Continued From Pare One.

sioner. The committee after confer
ring with the directors of the associa-
ton, came to the conclusion that it
was impossible to have the date Of the
1902 fair changed, but that the meet
:ng paved the way for some sort Of an
*~reement for future years. I would
ommend that the matter be brought
re the legislature and that an ef-
be made to have the date changed
aw.
ting on recommendation adopted
:1e last convention, the officers ar
"ged meeting with the state board
49,, control in reference to bringing
bout change in the system of en-
ploying inmates of the state penal in
situations. Nothing transpired at>this
meeting that would justify us to be-
lieve that we were any nearer the So
luton Of the convict labor problem
than ever One difficulty we have to
contend with in this matter is the
apparent friendliness of the officers of
these institutions towards the prison
contractors. It is impossible to see a
contract or find out when they ex-
pire. I recommend that steps be taken
towards limiting the powers of state
officers in entering into contracts of
this character.
In nv last report your attention was
called to a measure introduced in the
state legislature known as the arbl-
tration bill This bill was Indefinitely
postponed, with the understanding that
the Federation would take the matter
up, and make some recommendations
to the next legislature along these lines.
No action was taken at the last con-
vention The delegates deemed it wise
to lay it over until this meeting. 1t
appears to me that it should not take
much time to act on the question OF
compulsory arbitration. I am con-
WINGED that if such law was passed
t. would place US in even worse con-
dition than we are in today. Our ex-
perience is that all laws for the mutual
protection of the employer and the en-
ploye have resulted in protection fo1
one, and persecution for the other.
recommend that the Federation place
itself upon record as against compul'
sorry arbitration. Labor faVors arbltra'
ton. This Federation has repeatedly
declared for arbitration, but 1T wants
voluntary arbitration.
The success that organized labor has
met with in its efforts for reducing
the hours of toll proves concluslVeiS
that it is right. The action of large
employers of labor all over the country
clearly indicates that the time is MOI
far distant when our hope. after years
of weary toll and struggles will bt
realized, and that eight hours will bt
recognized as a legal work dav.
The work of the organizers during
the past year entities them to much
praise and credit. The conditions II
Saltwater, Little Falls and other cite:
of the state are such that with small
cost and the right kind Of a man sew
eral unions can be organized.
I consider it better policy to or
ganize one good union in city, ant
get it started right, than to organize
four or five small unions. and let then
drift for themselves. Immediate step:
should be taken towards increasing thu
organizations at Saltwater, Little
Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Eveletl
and like towns.
The growth of the Federation during
the past year has exceeded our strong
est hopes. Many new unions have af
filiated, yet there are a large numbe
that have not as yet learned the valu
of the Federation. Among these ar,
the railroad organizations. I have Wis
tied a number of these, and have con
Versed with their grand officers IL
some instances with reference to af