The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-15
The "DUSIIEs' MEET
National Union Of Flour Mill En-
ployes Now in Session
Here.
Reciprocity Is Endorsed President
Finley Urges s-Hour Move
ment in 1905.

Reciprocity received a boost this morn.
ing at the opening Of the second annual
convention of the International Union of
Flour and Cereal Mill Employees, Presi-
dent John M Finley, in his address, gave
utterance to a strong plea for reciprocity
with Canada. In the afternoon resolu-
tons demanding greater free trade with
Canada were adopted and will be sent as
a memorial to President Roosevelt.
President Finley said In part:
The necessity of a change in the present tariff
system of tile nationalxs,overllneftsi lis becoming
more apparent each year. The milling industry
is particularly interested in the lowering of the
tariff wheat shipped from Canada. The
great quantity of wheat grown In Canada is ex-
ported in the state and manufactured into
-four in foreign countries. II this wheat was
ground in this country 1t would afford steady
employment to the labor In our mills and it is
this feature Of the question which should interest
you. invite your careful attention to the
resolution which will be introduced relative to
this subject -
Two Escaped In Boats.
The convention was called to order at
10 a. m. in Union Temple, where sessions
will be held morning and afternoon for
five days. Forty-five delegates were pres
ent from out of town and twenty-o
from Minnea noliS Locals. Before night ff-
teen more debates from other cities will
have arrived Among those asking for
credentials were delegate from Topeka
and one from Kansas City. They got
away from town in boats. The entire
outfit of another delegate who expected
to be present, was destroyed, he himself
escaping in his shirt sleeves.
Prayer was offered by Brother G. p.
Darth. Welcoming addresses were made
| by Arthur Ogg sec0 tary Of Local No /;
J. E. Larkin,, member Of Local No. 2,
and Thomas Curran, vice president Of
Local No. 8. Mayor J. G. Haynes deliv-
cred the keys Of the city to the delega-
tions. The mayor was unusually strong
in his Endorsement of labor unions He
said that he always favored such organ
ization He gave review Of its history
| in the past ten years and showed that
organization Of labor was simply in line
with the getting together in all other
lines. He did not see how any sane man
would object to labor organization
Short addresses were made also by +.
P. Chance Of Topeka, secretary Of Local
No. II; Thomas w. Scott, president Of the
Chicago union; w. J. Smith, secretary Of
the Chicago union; w. s.. Hill, secretary
of the Kansas City local; w. ]. McCabe,
president Of the West Superior local.
| Mlllers' Efforts Seconded.
This afternoon annual reports were read
| by president and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. The
recommendation as to reciprocity In Pres
ident F'inley's address was along the line
|
| National Federation Of Millers last week
| in Detroit. Recommendations were made
| also as to certain changes to make the
| constitution more suitable for an inter-
! national organization, that the per capita
| tax be increased, as the present rate OF
| Is cents does not provide funds sufficient
for the work of the body, that an official
reporter for the Eight Hour Miller be ap-
pointed from each local and that the sub
scription price be made so cents year,
that the folly of mushroom strikes be
avoided by adjusting the relations between
the international union and the affiliated
locals. ~. 2F&&91s s1t, r.
The president spoke at some length or
the pleasant relations With The American
Federation Of Labor and called attention
to the annual convention at Boston II
November. Mention was made of the fac
that about twenty milling companies hat
signed the union label agreement. More
organization work was urged as tn,
cereal mills with their thousands Of oper
atives have scarcely been touched. o
J the eight hour day he said:
The highest hope of our international uniol
, Is to secure the adoption of a universal eight
hour working day in the -four and cereal mills
l offer this suggestion: Postpone further effort
to secure the eight-hour day until September
1905. This will give our organization time t
acquire solid and substantial growth and accum
ulate defense fund. Then, If attempt
made, let 1T apply to a section Of the country an
not one city or town.
An important matter for consideration
will be the time of the next convention
The expense Of delegating is heavy an,
some doubt exists as to the advisabilit
OF meeting in less than two years.
The evenings will be devoted to socia
matters. Tonight the delegates will ge
acquainted and rest up. Tuesday night
trolley ride will be taken to- Como Parl
Minnehaha Falls and Harriet. At bi
. mass meeting Friday night Rev. Fathe
j. M. Cleary will deliver the principa
. address. His subject is Eight Hours
Day; Six Days a Week." Other speaker
will be President Finley, Governor s. F
Van SAINT; Labor Commissioner job
? O'Donnell, President M. E. Neary, of tn
1 State Federation, and Mayor J. C. Hayne.
Secretary Treasurer A. E. Wellington, {
= the International Union will preside. MI
y sic will be an important feature of tn
l program.