The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-06-18

Federations sCouncil-P. f.. Jor-
: dam. R-Van&sEenh and John Ro-
7 gan, MtnneAnoais; M. A. Saltz, WI
nona& f. .aIhemas, G. w. Douglas
and Jobs ~HuEhes' st. Paul. Z
O~-.-~-"-.-sss--.'ss-,., -. ...-'e-.-.->->->~>~>O
Roth. Minneapolis; J. J. Henry, St.
Paul; G. H. Becker, St. Paul; Theo
scheife, Mankato; Frank Giebner,
Rochester. e
The committee: on credentials report
ed 225 delegates entitled to seats in
the conventions=after which an adjourn
ment wastaken until o'clock.
NeaE$'ssAnnuaI Report.
After converting in the afternoon
President Neary gave his annual report
and in doing SO implored the Fedora
tion members TO- put forth their best
efforts to extend and strengthen their
organization" The Federation has
prospered greatly but as it has grown
stronger the opposition has likewise
become more powerful. Last year the
officials were called upon to meet new
conditions, notably the strike of the
Minneapolis flouremill employees, which
affected some sixteen hundred men.
The Federation Fesolved to support the
strikers and Fin sresponse to the appeal
for aid nearly $1,000 was contributed
The strike is still in progress, the men
have maintained: their organization
and there are excellent prospects of
their winning: One of the objects of
this Federation is to secure legislation
beneficial to slabor. Some headway
has been made in this direction but
conditions are by no means ideal and
for this reason it. is policy to scrutinize
the records; of candidates for the 1egis-
lature President Neary approved the
plan Of holding meetings of the Fede-
ration council in the smaller cities of
the state and inIclosing stated that at
the Duluth convention in 1889 the Fe-
deration had honored him by elevating
him to the presidency. After wishing
the state body epntinued success he
said: AT thiss4Ime + desire to say
that I will llsrettrefrom the office of
presiden t::a q hinder: no ..circum-
stance s.be cam for =re: election
(ss sesrst sllqWsd hts
yearl ON which are
as follows: .1..s .55. f SSsz sSszszs. :<>i. ~
y McEwenI,'ss Address
1t is with a feeling Of pride that pre-
sent a concise report Of the work Of the
the office Of the secretary-treasurer, for
the year" which closed yesterday
It Is eight years since / became an
officer OF this federation. and during all
the trade union movement Of this state.
have watched its growth, and develop
| ment. I have seen it stagger for time,
and almost fall. and then have seen it
rise again and and 60 forward without in ia
every other movement in this respect.
There are times of prosperity and. times
OF adversity. Last year we reported a
marvellous growth of our movement.
and most Of those that We organized are
| with us. today. Last year:so work was
conducted in the larger: cities of the
state. This year we determined to carry
on the campaign, in the smaller cities. AS
on the work was greatly increased, but
the reward for our efforts is being real
1zed every day. If we have not done all
that was expected Of US, it was because
rather on account of a scarcity of funds:
The field for organization in Minnesota
IS as broad as ever. and the difficulty
Xesn H the Sn necessity
men are once on the ground. There is a
fertile field for trade unionism in every
portion of this great Commonwealth,
thousands of workingmen are looking to
us with yearntng hearts. in the hope
that we might come to them with the
promising gospel of trade unionism.
IN most places where we have sent or
:ganizers; the work has been done in q
our representatives did not remain on the
ground, in some cases, as long as they
should, but then work has been left in
such shape that local organizers could
VHyith hIDf
I am well satisfied Nv With i The work o.
nave moved only 50 fast as was neces-
sary. Everything has been carried on in
business-like manner: We have learned
some new lessons and we have avoided
| the pitfalls Of the past. Some new ex-
periences have been paid for, but in all ]
| think your officers have been exception
ally careful and diligent in their work
unions on the roster of Minnesota State
Federation Of Labor. Today: there. are
ESQ, or an increase of almost 400 per cent
There are fully 100 unions in the state
| that have not Joined with us. I~belieye
that In time these can be. reached, and
that the federation will some day ,be in
tact to the state Of Minnesota what a
trade assembly is to "a city. To me 1t Is
as as important a,!.p fSr & trade union to afili'
as it is to affiliate with a local trades
assembly. What one stands Tor in The
city the Other. stands for in state. Both
are useful and Should be encouraged: rc
the fullest degree. by every worker in the
ranks. regret to report that four un.
ions have withdrawn. during the: past
year and while every reasonable eff6ri
has been made to have them returned
they still have remained aloof. from u.s..
The Minnesota State Federation Of Ia.
Dor has been Of considerable use to many
unions during the. pasts#year.;: The sfou1
mill employees and the. building trades
unions; Of Minneapolis can all testify: t.
this. 1T is not an uncommon thing these
days to hear men. particularly members
OF. newly organized unions, proclaim s;the.
ories with respect to- the .mutuaTs :obliga:
| tions Of labor unions that are somewhat
startling to the veterans III the movement
and when men with experience attempt Il
point out the fallacies thSse theorIe en-.
brace they are @invariably met with. tilf
query Well, the use, of :havine
union then, and 81 81 What good 81 trades
+ they'd ont st and We are
in trouble ?.' re IS. So
ON It Gil.ne. bou
81 The situat ion hich Gives rise" to & lilis
tquesti as@ B sss sonnet thing like
IEt1iS an M lIfi1R#sW hfchssha