The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-04
In Labor's Field.
COMMITS It
TO SOCIALISM
DOCUMENT SUBMITTED TO STATE
FEDERATION LAST JUNE.
1T Is Being Voted Upon by Affiliated
Unions.-At First 1t Was Regarded
as Harmless, but Much Interest Has
Been Aroused Since Convention.

Unions.-At First 1t Was Regarded
as Harmless, but Much Interest Has
Been Aroused Since Convention.
At the convention Of the Minnesota
STATE .a1' Federation of Labor in
ment embracing an amendment
to the constitution of the fed
eration-three propositions an
entirely new preamble and "declara-
ton of principles''-was brought up
FOR Its consideration. The document
! was referred to the affiliated unions to
be voted upon. Not much attention
was then paid to the matter. But it
now appears that if it is adopted the
federation will be committed to so
cialism pure and simple. That the
socialists are very much interested is
| evidenced by the keen interest taken
by them in the disposition of the
measures by the Trades and Labor
Assembly Wednesday evening, when
/ they came before that body for action.
The socialists were out in force and
occupied, the floor considerable por-
ton of the evening advocating the
proposed changes in the laws gov.
erning the federation. The activity
| of the socialists and the number pres
| ent We're subjects of general remark.
| The Trades Assembly referred the
matter to the affiliated unions. The.
proposed changes:
Proposition No. 1.
Whereas, the development Of the trusts
into a worldwide institution demonstrates
the final contamination of an all embracing
| trust, owned and controlled by few men
having legal ownership Of the means of
life, whose economic power reflected into
government means a final state Of capital
ist1c feudalism; and
Whereas the machinery of production
and exchange is now owned by the cap
ttalistic class and operated by them only
for profit which prevents the employ
ment Of willing workers and imposes con-
sequent burdens on those employed, and
as the wages Of the working class in pur-
chasing power have steadily decreased and
every raise in money wages has been more
| than offset by the increased cost of ne
cessary comm odities, it demonstrates the
necessity of the workers owning the means
of production and exchange, in order to
escape the inevitable tendency of capital
istic slavery; and
Whereas, The power of government in
both states and nation is at present vested
In those who use the courts to issue blank
ct injunctions and the police and military
to enforce their despotic DEGREES, and
thru these means prevent lawful persua-
| sion and defeat the cause Of organized Ia
Dor; therefore be it
Resolved, That the State Federation of
Labor in convention assembled recommend
to all local and affiliated bodies the adop-
ton of an amendment to their constitu-
lions by a clause permitting political ac-
! ton along the line Of the class struggle,
with the aim and object to assist the po-
litical movement Of the working class of
the world in controlling the powers Of
government and the public ownership Of
all the means of production and distribu-
ton under form Of CO operative control
thru the imperative mandate and the
initiative and referendum.
Preamble.
Whereas,sIt has been fully demonstrated.
by experience, that unity Of action and or
ganization among working people are Inn
perative and essential In order to combat
the ever-groWing encroachments of or
ganized and consolidated capital, and as
there are many questions affecting the
welfare of the working class, which can
not be dealt with in special and separate
| trade and labor unions, and as that end
can be best attained by a central labor
organization thru which all branches Of
labor may prove allies to any particular
one that may be oppressed and all may
4 form brotherhood for the defense and
protection Of the laboring class; therefore,
| be it
| Resolved, That we, the delegates Of the
various trade and labor unions in con-
vention assembled, do hereby organize
ourselves into 1.-THE Minnesota State Fed
Eeration of Labor for the purpose of con-
centrating the efforts of the working class
for its own mutual protection, education
and social advancement, and to that end
we adopt the following to unite the various
organizations Of trade and labor Of this
state for the purpose of education and CO.
operation in the maintenance of the rights
Of the working class and the advance
rnent Of their interests; to impress upon
the various branches of labor the ne
Ecessity Of organization, and to as
sist in the formation of organiza-
! tions where none now exist; to act as an
arbitrator in labor disputes that are not
the exclusive concern of individual or
CARNATIONS, and use all honorable means
in our power to adjust difficulties which
may arise between workingmen and en-
ployers; to disseminate labor literature
discuss and examine all questions affecting
the welfare of the working class; and t
concentrate all labor of this state as to en-
able it to successfully combat any en-.
croachments of the capitalist class.
We hereby pledge ourselves to assis
| each other in securing fair wages to tn,
workers by all honorable means, and W,
shall withdraw all patronage and bust
ness from any unfair employer, let hi
calling or political utilization be what i
may, and that we will use union mad
goods In preference to all others
Declaration of Principles.
In the declaration Of principles i:
found this:
TO the end that this shall not remain
merely an idle declaration, but that j
shall have power for good in the fight O
labor for the fruits Of it's industry, w
charge all members Of this parliament o
labor, and all affiliated bodies to activel
support with their ballots and otherwise
that political party whose platform i
nearest to the above declaration Of prin
3 ciples and the following demands
Following this is the platform Of the
socialist party, demanding among
other things: Collective ownership
of all means Of production and dis
tribution and all means of communi
cation and transportation; election O
president, ETC., by direct vote; ma
ADE.ALER said
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