The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

come to the opinion that the rank and
file of these organizations are not OPP
posed to federation, but that whatever
opposition theXshave comes from the
grand lodgea and their officers.
AS the Federation grows older and
larger the work and duties Of the off,
GERS increase. The large increase in
the unions Of the smaller towns and
cities has greatly increased the amount
of correspondence. have endeavored
communications. OF course sometimes
delay is necessary in order to secure
the information desired and it has
sometimes happened that correspond
ance was neglected. However, have
endeavored to answer all correspond
ance promptly.
We have been glad to enter upon this
work, for it represented to the cause
a growth and development that is both
healthy and progressive. When this
convention adjourns we should again
take up the work sWhere it was left off.
We owe a duty to the men of toll, who
have placed sufficient confidence in
US to represent them and their great
cause in this state federation. We are
expected to go on with the work of
organization until every wage Garner
in Minnesota is on the roster of his
trade or labor organization. I say to
you that white much is expected Of the
officers between the conventions, the
real work, the inspiring work, the work
that will have the most effect, will be
that which you do here today"
Secretary-Treasurer McEwens an
nual report was presented, a synopsis
follows:
! Balance at last convention .....$ 626 .26
| IOtdl ........ '..'Sl' 1870
| Expenditures .......... ......... 1,O95 ~
Balance in treasury ....$77S.53
| Money was %expended as follows:
Salaries of officers $500. 10
Convention expenses at Mankato 2O7 rs
Printing proceedings, etc........ 1861
! Organizing in state .............. 1913 4S
Postage and stationery. ........ 1904
Fifty-six new unions affiliated with
the Federation during the year. In
Guiding the railroad organizations In
the state. The number Of unions on
the books of the Federation is 166.
Last year." he said, lit was thought
we had made a great record when we
! reported thirty-nine newly-affuiated
unions, but the report this year ex-
ceeds our fondest hopes. But three
unions have given official notice of
their withdrawal from the Federation.
These were the St. Paul cigarmakers
and BARRIERS and the Minneapolis stone
masons."
Secretary McEWen in an attached
address to the members Of the Fedora
ton deprecated strikes and boycotts
and advocated more general use OF
other weapons of labor-the union la
BEL arbitration and the ballot. he
said:
In the struggle of the past the
strike and the boycott have served
purpose. They will be used in the fu-
ture as often as necessary, but they
will not solve the labor question en-
tirely. Labor must learn to use the
weapon intended for that purpose.
When we begin to realize that the Ia
Dor question is a. class question, and
that there is a: class struggle on, pos
sibly we will know then how to protect
our class interests better than we now
do. If all men who strike would vote
as they strike, it would not be very
long before there would be revolution
in American politics.
In my opinion this convention has
two important matters to discuss. The
first and foremost is the matter of con-
tinuing the work of organization. I
do not believe in letting up until every
town and village in the state has been