Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-10
Labor Employers and Employees to
Meet In Convention.
HELD IN MINNEAPOLIS SEPT. 22-26
Meeting of Trades and Labor Assem-
bly, Tonight in Labor HalI-officers
Will Be Installed-Metal Trades
Workers May Federate.
(From Wednesdays Daily.l
THE matter published in this col
umn is furnished by the officers OF the
Federation of Labor ,:s,

j. F. Byrne, state organizer for, the
American Federation of Labor, has re-
ceived the program of the national
convention of Employer and Employe.
which will be held in Minneapolis
Mimi. September % to &C. Mr.. Byrne
has also been requested to extend in
vitations to the employers and en-
ployes in the city with a view to hav.
ing Ottumwa represented at the con
vention.
The idea of holding national con
vention of employers and employees
grew out of an earlier attempt to call
d meeting of those interested in, the
eight-hour movement. Others took up
the original plan, broadened its scope
until finally great national confer
ence was decided upon that should
bring together representative employ
labor, and distinguished Investigators
Purpose of the Convention.
This national gathering is designed
to afford an opportunity for the free
exchange Of ideas on the present labor
problem. 1t is an attempt to inaugur
ate great educational movement in
which all sides are to participate lano
work in harmony for common pur
pose, namely, a better understanding
and more satisfactory adjustment
of the relation between employer and
employee.
The promoters of this movement
have no cure-all to advocate, no propo
ganda to spread. Their one aim Isl to
afford an opportunity for the two OPP
posing sides in the present labor dis
putes TO get together on neutral
ground and calmly talk over the stu
alton. Es
Ii is hoped that meeting of this /
kind will give both sides, as we'll as
the less Immediately interested stud
ent and investigator, an opportunity tic
be fairly and fully represented and
heard. In this way employer. employe
and investigator will for the first time
meet on an equal footing for an ear
nest but dispassionate conference
Such meeting may fairly be expect
ed to promote good feeling and great
er mutual respect. The discussions
will throw flood of light on the con.
ditions as they exist today. They will
correct many misconceptions and do
away with all ill-f6unded prejudice
which now exists between the two
great business partners, labor and
capital.
Trades and Labor Assembly.
The regular semi-monthly meeting
of the trades and labor assembly will
be held in Labor hall this evening
The annual report of the officers and
committees will be submitted and in
all probability new committees will be
appointed for the ensuing term. I'll
lis important that. all delegates be presI
ent at this meeting for the purpose of
listening to these annual reports that
they may submit them to the local
unions. The trades and labor assem-.
bly, is twelve years old today and in
that time has grown from a small or
ganization Of three local unions, unit.
today it has forty-three locals with a
total membership of 1900 affiliated
Through the efforts of it's committees
the assembly has been able to reduce
the hours of majority of the unions
affiliated and in every instance has in
creased the pay. At tonight's meeting
there will be three and perhaps four
the total up to very near fifty in this
city. Bushes Agent Hobbs has been
doing splendid work and the result
of his energetic efforts are beginning
to show in the local labor field. The
new officers recently elected will be-
installed at the meeting this evening.
Butcher Worknnen.
Local union, No. IA, of the butcher
kworkmen continues to grow and is be.
coming of more usefulness to its mem
bers. Never since it was organized
has it had such large number of its
members in attendance at it's meet.
ingS and so much enthusiasm
displayed as at present. Ger.
tainly great deal of credit should be
given to its officers for it's magnificent
growth and qualification. President
Hobbs will go to .Oskaloosa July IA, for
the purpose of organizing new local
in that city. The ball given by this
union on the evening of July 4 was a
grand success and was attended by
large number of guests from out of
the city. Music was furnished by the
Schubert Mandolin orchestra.
Stationary Engineers. 20
The stationary engineers met at La
Dor Hall last evening Almost every
engineer in the city was in attendance.
| The meeting was most enthusiastic and
temporary officers were elected. There
are a few engineers in the city who
have. not availed themselves of the
opportunity of becoming members and
the officers of the local organization
extend to them cordial welcome to
be present at their meeting at Labor
Hall Friday evening, July IL, when
permanent officers will be elected and
the union started on its way, to make
the burdens the easier for the engi-
neers. The engineers are organizing
all over the state and there is some
talk of forming state organization
for the purpose of asking for legisla-
ton for the protection Of life and
limb.
| The Metal Trades Federation.
!. There is a movement on foot in this
city to organize a metal trades feder-
alton Prominent local metal workers
! int IL, fh;e ,,,I,jal