The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-05
In lab 5 iieId.
ANEW BROTHERHOOD
It Is Composed Of Woodsmen and
Men in Kindred 0ccupa-
tions in North.
Parent Lodge Established at Sault
Ste. Marie Purpose Explained
by President. @.

A new labor organization, intended to
better the condition of lumbermen and
men IN kindred occupations, has Just been
organized with headquarters at Sault Ste.
MARIE, Mich. The organization is to be
known as the Brotherhood Of Woodsmen
and begins It's career with forty-seyen
charter members. Subordinate lodges will
ne organized. throughout the lumber
regions and the promoters hope to make
the organization a strong one. M. Fraser
or Sault Ste. Marie, is grand president,
and David McNee of the same civ is
secretary and treasurer. ~
Grand President M. Fraser gives the OBJ
Jects and purposes of the organization in
the following Interview: -. r-s.s,
For the present the Brotherhood of
Woodsmen offers no pecuniary benefit But
many and important benefits will be de-
rived from membership therein, especially
by those who follow numbering in the
woods or in the mills. ..t ..,.-g .""..f
The brotherhood was ORGANIZED nrinnar-
lily to unite the woodsmen and kindred
workers, to promote their general welfare.
to protect and advance their interests
social, moral and intellectual. -
In many cases hitherto the lumbering-
men have not had a fair, show. If they
mad had, their condition to-day would be
much better. AS it is, many who once fol-
lowed numbering have risen above their
surroundings, and in spite Of the severest
obstacles are to-day the leading opponents
or law and order throughout the country
In fact, some Of the most energetic men in
our community to-day once belonged to
the much looked down upon numbering
class. -.
There is nothing more conducive to
harmonious relations between employer
and employe than a fair understanding
between man and man. This has not been
the case, unfortunately, in too many in
stances, with the result that the employee
always got the worst end of the stick
The reason is not far to seek. He stood
alone, had nothing and nobody to back
him. The Brotherhood of Woodsmen will
endeavor to do away with this. BY re-
arranging the schedule Of wages, man
will know when he is hired what he is to
get. Under this rule, If he is hired for
$50 a month and found not to be worth
that price, the employer will be bound to
let him know that fact at the, end of a few
days, or let him CO. If nothing is sa id
and the man kept on for three or four
months he certainly will be considered
entitled to the wages at which he was
h1red. BY this means the brotherhood will
be the means not only of securing a bet
ter class of men for the woods, and the
mills, but also Of making better men out
OF the present class. = . a@. ~ -. 80. ..,:
STRIKES are not anticipated as no mis-.
understanding should arise which cannot
be, properly adjusted by COOL careful, con-
sideration and elaboration. Members Of
the brotherhood feeling themselves ag-
grieved can always have their grievance
promptly looked after by the grand lodge,
which will take the necessary steps for
legal redress when necessary without any
further expense to the aggrieved member
Provisions are made to look after sick
and disabled brothers. providing hospital
or medical treatment, and, in case of
DEATH where necessary, a decent burial
The conditions of the men in camp life
will also be properly looked after, as well
as the manner in which settlement should
be made with them, in order that they
may not have to lie around for days be-
fore securing their hard earned money. &.
'The legislative department of the
brotherhood will be an important feature
and should render to the organization the
most effective service by fully supporting
all non-partizan measures introduced that
may affect In any way the progress Of
labor organization and by using all posi-
bic influences against any measures detri-
mental to the interests Of labor in gen
eral." =: ."' ~~
: Mr.. Fraser and David McNee' of Sault
Ste Marie are promoting the new organ
ization. --.