New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1904-06-15

the twenty second annual convention
of the Minnesota State Federation of
Labor. The vanguard began arriving
Saturday night and late Sunday after
noon special train from the Twin
Cities brought in upwards Of $50.
Thereafter the Hobbies of the local
hotels were crowded with men wearing
labor badges, although large num-
Der did not put in an appearance un-
til monday. Among the early arrivals
were the officers of the Federation and
they Immediately established their
headquarters at the Dakota House.
For a time Monday morning the
weather prospect was rather dismal.
A drilling rain fell for several hours
but later the skies cleared and, except
for a shower in the afternoon, the
union men were given beautiful day
for their meeting. At 1880 Garfield r.
Morrison of Mankato, second vice
president, called the convention to or
der and introduced Mayor Chas. Sill
version, who welcomed the delegates
with a speech which was frequently in
terrupted by applause.
AS a preface for his remarks Mr..
Silverson assured his audience that ne
was not politician and would not
attempt to fatter them for their votes.
[ am fellow worker, declared the
mayor, as well as an employer OF men,
and I probably work longer hours
than any of you. This is necessitated
by the keen competition in our bust
ness-we must keep our mills going
and 15O men employed and contented.
Mayor Silverson complimented his
auditors by saying that some OF the
brainiest men in the country were to
be found in the ranks of the labor
unions and then eulogized Pres. John
Mitchell, of the coal miners union,
giving him full credit for the peaceful
settlement of the famous Pennsylvania
strike. The interests of this country,
said the mayor, demand that capital
and labor work hand in hand in har-
mony, and he closed by urging the
delegates to exercise care in the selec-
ton of their officers, to the end that
they secure prudent and conservative
men.
Mr.. Morrison introduced nj. &.
Neary of Minneapolis, the Federation
PRESIDENT The latter thanked Mayor
Silverson for his words of welcome and
advice and in turn introduced John
O'Donnell state labor commissioner.
Mr.. O'Donnell paid homage tothe half
dozen lady delegates present, saying
that he was glad their number was in
creasing. Itaugured we'll for the labor
movement, as women were noted for
getting anything they wanted.
Following these remarks the com
missioner gave a sketch of the work
being performed by the state labor
bureau. In 1903 factories in 131 towns
were inspected and this year his lieu
tenants would cover twenty addition
al. An interesting feature of his adj
dress was the citation of the fact that
child labor in this state is steadily on
the decrease. During the past year
eleven employers were prosecuted anc
fined for violation of the child labor
law and Minnesota now employs 9
lower percentage than any state in the
Union, with one exception. Mr.
O'Donnell urged greater publicity fol
the doings of organized labor ant
approved the proposed plan of having
the state establish free employment
agencies in the larger cities.
Secretary w. E. McEwen of Duluth
was called upon for an address an.
grew eloquent in describing the strik
situation in Colorado. He sharpl
criticised the attitude of the authoritie
toward the miners, declaring that tn
spirit of despotism extended from tn
governors chair to the most humbl
subaltern in the state guard. He wa
/ not defending the mine workers, the
| needed no defense, and their appes
! to President Roosevelt was for th
| protection due them by virtue of til
/ constitution.
| President Neary announced th
i following committee appointments:
Credentials G. W. Douglas, S
| Paul: Ole G. Larson, Duluth; Hug
Jennings, Minneapolis.
| Rules of Order and Order of Bus
: ness-J. L. Hughes; st. Paul; Cha
Sather, Minneapolis; Geo. Northfiel'
5 Duluth; M. j. Cuddy, Mankato;
e Gardner, Brainerd; A. j. Wampacl
;. ST. Cloud: Herman Kutz, StillWate
y Constitution and Law. o. Wa
g son, Minneapolis: Phil Carlin, MINI
: apolis;; J. w. Fuller, Brainerd; ID
< Lowe. Duluth: e. e. Hoffman,, IS