The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-06-13

organizations some $500 members.
IT have recently been informed, by
what I consider the most reliable au-
thor1ty In the state in matters of this
kind. that the increase in new unions,
and additions in the way of new mem
bers to the older unions has gone on
with as much Vigor since October OF
last year, up to the present time, as it
did at any like period Of the yea: 1902.
and since that time upto the present
date, l believe it can be said without
fear of contradiction that the number
Of new organizations that have been
formed, and the additional member
ship to the older unions will undoubt-
edly wrest the supremacy so far as
the number Of organizations and men,
bership are concerned from the year
1902.
There is yet a great wor kto be done
in the field in the way Of organization
among the toilers of our state, and I
know of no better method to pursue
than the one that has been in use re-
Gently, that of sending organizers who
are capable and intelligent into every
portion of this state.
II believe that if the manufacturers
association is organized for the purpose
of exterminating labor organizations it
will never be able to accomplish that
end.''
Secretary -Treasurer's Report.
Secretary Treasurer McF;wen of Du-
luth read his annual report this AFTER
noon, showing that never in the his
tory of the federation had the labor
movement in this state had so success
full year. His summary was as fol-
lows:
Balance in treasury last year. :~: $72Is0
Receipts this year.. 81. III ,823.22:
ssiE1ta
Balance in. treasury this year. 800
Number new unions affiliating during
year, IS.
Total unions affiliating, 235.
Increase in membership during the
year, 600 per cent.
Strikes Sometimes Necessary.
Regarding strikes and boycotts Mr..
McEwen said:
1T was once said, and I believe some
political economist in a text book de-
fines trade union as an organization
Of wage learners formed for the pur-
pose of striking Too many people
still have that erroneous idea. The
history Of our movement bears out the
statement that wherever labor is we'll
organized there are the least number
Of strikes. No labor organization cares
about entering a strike, any more than
d nation glories in going to war, for
strike is but an industrial war.
But strikes sometimes become nec-
essary, and when they do, we say
strike and strike hard. There are some
things worse than a strike, and one of
them is a depressed manhood. Mime.
sofa, with it's numerous labor organi-
cations, has been indeed fortunately
| free from many strikes during the past
year. The governor in his message
laid particular stress upon this fact
and attribute it to the wise and cauti-
| Gus policy of our labor organizations.
There have been several small
! strikes during the year. In most cases
! the difficulties were settled amicably
| and in favor of the unions. In but two
| instances was lawlessness resorted to,
| and then it was not definitely estab-
lished that union men were responsible
for it. However, it is the duty of Or
! ganized labor to declare itself as being
unalterably opposed to any violation
Of laW.
Importance Of Organization.
| "Our work during the past few years
in the field of organization has fully
| demonstrated the necessity and useful,
ness of state federation Of labor in
this state. Many unions owe thei1
| existence to the federation. and several
cities would have not been able to ac-
l 1;~1, Tn min
without the support of the federation.
This federation has two distinct duties
to perform. It must continue the work
| Of organization so well begun until
every city in the state is completely
organized. It must perfect plans and
carry on campaign whereby it will
| become much easier to secure the en-
actment of laws for the relief of labor.
! To have their hands full.
'Too much cannot be said and done
at this convention to prepare for the
work of organization for the coming
! year. Had I my way 7 would spend
more time of the convention on this
subject than any other. It is the all
important matter before this meeting
and it should not be neglected. AS /
said before thousands of the unorgan-
lied workers of this state are patiently
waiting for us to carry to them the
gospel of trade unionism. Y It lis oul
sacred duty to go to them. The=birth
of new economic conditions, created bs
the trusts, brings with: It the demand
for, organization among wage iearners.''
4 f. Secretary 4 McEwer,'s s Rep
& |*s In the opening Of his srepu purt. Sec
II retarySSM poke Of he pas wear
rs. .bountifulA one for trad desS5union
HE characterized a ga Minnesota as lin:
q precate ted sthea. fact neyAfsla las 30 ne
sslSsreyenue5 he ation. proved