Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-06-12
REPORT OF SECRETARY-T TREAS.
URER

Secretary Treasurer McEwen's re-
port con tained the following:
Never in the history Of the FEEDER
alton have we been able to report
SUCH marvellous growth Of the labor
movement in the state. It has in
deed been bountiful year for trade
unionism. There is a waiting field
for us in almost every city of the
state. Trade unionism, as represent
ed by the Minnesota State Federation
uf Labor. permeates the very air. CIV
where you will wherever working
men are employed, and the great
majority Of them are eager for organ
ization. The only question with them
is how to GU about it. The revenue of
this Federation has never been
sufficient to permit US to send organ
izers to every community where good
could be done.
Wherever we have done work, it has
been thorough and complete and the
very bes2 results have accrued to the
workers through organization. In the
early days 1t was necessary for an
organizer to do considerable propa-
ganda work before he could succeed in
interesting the workingmen in organ
ization. but times have changed since
then, Some very practical lessons in
the necessity of organization are given
to the wage Garner almost every
minute of the day. The thoughtful
worker when looking about him, can
see but little in the world of, business
that Is not the result of united effort.
On one side is the organization of cap
ital and today almost perfect. On the
other side is the organization OF
labor, growing in power and influence,
but still in state Of infancy. Capital
is undergoing some experience in
organization, the magnitude and
achievements of which are most Won
derful. Its path in organization has
been progressive. Unfriendy legis-
lation rather than discouraging capt.
tai in organization only seemed to
stimulate it, with he result that an
entirely new form lof organization was
perfect. This latter, which is known
as the Community of Interests plan.
is the most perfect, and apparently
the most profitable ever tried. The
seeming conservative policy of the
great corporations operating under
this plan has had a surprising quiet
ing effect on the people. This le
particularly noticeable in communities
where It's predecessors were very
arbitrary in their methods.
It 10 the large Organization of
capital. commonly called trusts. that
are attracting the attention of wage
earners toward organization also. They
are helping to make the labor move
ment popular movement. The mid
dleman, who ia not organized today
looks with much hope to the organ
ization In q position to defend the
people from: the entertainments of
monopoly. While it Ia yet in it's in
fancy, its future policy cannot now
be we'll defined, but a. occasion arise
1t will be able to meet them, and it's
purpose and methods will be 80 broad
that 1t will bring to it's support the
liberty loving men.
Following Is the Federation report
Of the receipt and expenses for the
year just closed: "
Balance last year. 80
Receipts for this year....... Il, 8ss. ~
Total receipts. 64h o.
Disbursements ..................1,23 7. O3
Balance In treasury this year
Number of new unions afiili-
ating ............................ rs
Total affiliating. 1875.
Increase this year 900 per cent. Ex-
pense increased in about same ratio.
More money was expended for
organizing during the past year than
at any previous time, 1 believe that
the expenditure was justified. when
we consider that through our efforts
some heretofore unorganized cities are
now regarded strong trade union
centers.
Our work during the past few years
In the field Of organization has fully
demonstrated the necessity and use
fulness OF State Federation in Min
nesota. Many unions owe their
existence to the Federation ana
many cities would not have been Able
to accomplish anything in organize.
! Einn without the snnnorf of tha Haa..