The Saint Paul globe., 1902-09-24
PRESIDENT o'coNNELL TALKS
TO NINE HUNDRED MA
CHINISTS
TELLS OF THE BIRTH
OF LABOR COMBINES
Says That Salvation of Men Who Work
Is in Good Books - Culture of the
Mind Leads to the Appreciation of
Beauties in the Home.

The machinists of st. Paul last even
ing, at Mozart hall, listened to talk
by James O'Connell, president of the
International Association Of Mach1n-
lists. Mr. O'Connell was in Minneapo-
lis attending the convention of employ
er and employe, and by invitation of
the st. Paul lodges came over here to
address them. About 900 were present.
The chairman, J. B. Gardner, intro
duced Arthur E. Holder, Of Iowa, who
spoke on the subject Of labor unions,
introducing many apt illustrations. His
remarks were highly appreciated by
his hearers, who frequently interrupted
him with vigorous APPLAUSE.
W. I. Nolan, Of Minneapolis, made
some humorous remarks Of general
nature, which evoked laughter and ap-
plause j. D. Whips, of OelWein,
spoke briefly on the condition of the
Machinists' union at that place.
Mr.. O'Connell said in part
1t is unnecessary for me at this time
all know the high standing of the ma.
chinists. Your trade is the highest of
the crafts, with the skill, strength, brain,
knowledge and Drawn which you use
contributions to science and the advance
ment of modern civilization. But with all
your skill you are still at work upon
machine which you have not yet com,
to part, and the motive power applied you,
will have produced an engine that VIII
you onsons to hs maehne na
commenced in 1877, but, owing to the I'M
perfect plans and the defective blue print,
when the machine was fitted together 1T
was found unfit for use and 1t mad TO
be thrown into the scrap pile.
The Infancy of Union.
The attempt at the formation of a
II fbc, nd
upon right principles. In 1886 another
plan was made; the Knights OF Labor at
a convention held in Minneapolis formed
a union, which met the same fate as its
predecessor, and the machine was con-
signed to the scrap pile ..,o.+o ~
But two years later, IN Atiahta, on
May 5, 1885, a few machinistS held meet
ing under locomotive in machine shop.
They decided to ask for an increase IN
wages. They went into the. office and
presented their demands, which were
granted The machinists returned from
the adjourned meeting, in the locomotive
pit and there laid the plans for the forma-
tion of a union. The unions OF the ma a.
strong, were the result of that meeting In
the engine pit.
Last year we took the machine to the
employers and pointed out to tnsm snt tne 1ne
were going to take patent upon. Inc M
result of the demand made May. 10, 1900,
was to secure the concession OF a nine
hour day with ten hours pay.
.sThe result has been TO give to you the
opportunity of enjoying every day an
extra hour Of leisure. We have to work
very. hard. During working hours hot RS we we
avail ourselves Of opportunity for the I'm
provement of our minds. Don't hang
around the shop door and ask the boss II
and spend your time there. Read good
books.
By reading good books you will I'M
prove your minds, you will dlscont1nue
reading dime novels and almanacs. Good
pictures, and you will cease to decorate
your walls with soap advertisements
With the more culture you acquire the
more you will appreciate art and liter,
ature You will get piano, and you Will
have your little daughter taught to play,
and in the evening when you come home
from work you can have her play Ior you
while you hit the pipe.
"The man who works ten hours, and
spends two hours more in going to and
coming from his place Of toll knows
books, cares not for pictures, he has no
use for carpets on the floor, and If he
had a piano he would not care to hear its
tones. All he wants is bed so he can
get rest.
Benefits Already Derived.
In the East not long ago macnmlStS
were required to work sixteen hours a
day. What can man who works so long
every day know about life? He leaves
home before daylight and comes home
after dark. His children don't know him,
his wife doesn't respect him, because she
can't, and he don't respect himself. He
don't need money because he has no time
to spend it, and all the clothing he needs
Is pair of overalls."
Mr. OConnell concluded with remarks
on the principles of unions, an exhorta-
ton against nationality prejudices, de-
nunciation of non-u union men who reap the
benefits of the unions but fail to con-
tribute to their support, and an ecomium
on the prospects of unionism.