The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-02
In Labor S Field.
UNION men SHY
AT AMENDMENTS
THEY'RE AvERsE TO BRINGING
UNIONS INTO POLITICS.
Socialists Are Working Hard for Their
Plan, but Their Success Appears Ex-
tremely Doubtful - The Weeks
News Among the Local Unions.

AS the vote progresses upon the
proposed constitutional amendments
permitting the State Federation Of
Labor to go into politics. it is be-
coming apparent that the result will
be the defeat Of the measures. While
a few unions have favored the
changes, the majority have gone on
record as being against them, and
some Of these unions have done so
almost unanimously. In st. Paul the
Cigar Makers union rejected the
propositions by the decisive voice Of SO
to l. The ST. Paul Carpenters union
voted favorably by a small majority,
and it is thought the machinists'
unions in both cities will give a ma
jority in favor Of the propositions, one
local lodge having already gone on
record in their favor On the other
hand, the local Typographical union
piled up a formidable vote in opnosi-
ton, the result being Overwhelmingly
against adoption. Added to this is the
vote Of the Painters union, which
polled a heavy majority against the
propositions, while any number of
smaller unions have decided by small
votes to defeat any attempt to plunge
the federation into politics.
The socialists are still very active IN
behalf of the measures and repre-
sentative of that party attends meet
ings Of every union to which they can
gain dlu SOA1CiIo AdSoA eoAS
consideration Of them. But even the
most sanguine socialist does not expect
to see their object attained.
In the event Of the defeat Of the
amendments, it is not likely an OPP
portunity will again present itself by
which such a matter will be referred
to a referendum vote of unions
affiliated with the federation. OPP
ponents of socialism in trade union
affairs are very pronounced IN the pc
lief that from now on these elements
will drift farther apart, and that soon
err or later trade unionism will pc aple
to rid itself Of this feature which IS OBJ.
labor unions, who do not oppose So
cialism per Sc, but who don't want 1t
| mixed with unionism.
Union Predicts Defeat.
AS a. straw indicating which way
the wind blows, the following extract
from an editorial in the Union Will
prove interesting:
There is considerable interest taken ir
| the outcome of the vote. and we belleVe II
will be a close one, altho we predict the
defeat of the propositions by small ma
iority. That it matters very little either
| way we personally believe, for II thf
principals therein laid down are correct
they will be eventually enforced, Whethe
or not the federation sets upon them TN
seal Of their approval. we peleVe III
socialists, as the teachers Of a new prln
chile. would better expend their energy il
teaching and expounding their principles
and wait for the time when the unions ar
i ready to take them up voluntarily, thai
in trying to force them upon large mum
Der Of members Of these unions VINO ar
not yet ready to receive them.
When the time comes for the organlza
lions to enter politics for their own pro
lection, as it will surely come, they WI
be ready, and any attempt to force Their
before a majority Of them are convince
Of the wisdom of such action will onl
result in retarding the step. Let the SO
cialists continue to preach their gospel t
the individuals, and if they are right
If they have in truth found the correc
solution Of the great industrial problem
of the day-they will make much NOR
rapid progress than they will by. attempt
ing to compel men to think as they d
whether they are ready to SO think or no