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

gIl |I|' /! q
=: n LABOR |. \ / RAglD SESSION
Continued, from Page One.)'5 .
the A.: +. Of q. enforce the boycott all
over the country?"- and SO on ad in
initun,. It would BE amusing, did. IL
not concern such: a. serious matter
the bread and butter Of probably hum
dreds.-and :, sometimes thusands-
men, women and children. This is in
deed a'#serious matter, and the man
Who consels action that is certain to
affect the bread and butter supply of
his fellows assumes one Of the most
serious! responsibilities that can rest
on any one.
The probability Of defeat, should a
union become involved in strike
within a few months after it's organi-
cation, is so strong that almost ali of
the National or International unions
have adopted constitutional provisions
Id1sc1plintng unions that go on strike
within a certain period after it's or
ganization. The American Federation
Of Labor. also discountenances strikes
by newly formed unions. This should
also be the policy of this State Fedora
ton of Labor. The parent bodies were
obliged to adopt this policy because
OF costly experience, consequently the
novices in trade unionism who advo-
cate strikes before the ink on the
charter Is dry, are counseling action
that the men who have built up the
grand movement we have today, con-
slider suicidal.
Sympathetic Strikes.
Common sense not infrequently sug-
gests that it would be folly for GER
tain unions to engage in sympathetic
strikes every time they were called
upon for assistance. The members of
the union on strike do not stop to con-
slider the conditions Of the union called
| upon. E., Z. s+,~
| The Transfers Of Chicago offered a
good illustration OF the effect Of en-
gaging in sympathetic strikes when
ever called upon. Probably the men
OF no other calling come in contact
with members OF as many unions as
do the teamsters, and in Chicago it
became the custom to call upon them.
They generally responded to the call,
with the obvious result that they were
continually on strike to assist other
unions. No organization can long
stand such a strain as that, and the
Chicago teamsters were finally COM
PEELED to reverse their policy.
l 4~a&.
would Justify our organization in en-
gaging in sympathetic strikes, but we
must be conceded the right to pass
Judgment on such questions rather
than the union that asks for the SYM
pathetic strike. I submit that the best
policy to pursue, before calling strike
is to call upon unions likely to become
| involved and learn definitely what as
sistance, if any, they are in position
to give. BY following the course many
disappointments and much bitter feel
ing will be avoided, and very likely
many strikes will never be called.
I would recommend that the incom-
| ing officers Of this Federation prepare
| circular along this line, and send it
to every union Iii the state. Let this
be the policy Of the Minnesota State
Federal ton of Y !. labor.sa and let every
union know It. :..1* ~ ~ J.,
Organization.
The Minnesota State Federation of
Labor can well feel proud of it's work
in the field of organization. can re-
member when there were but four
cities represented in our state move
ment. At today's meeting have the
pleasure Of reporting that there are
now is cities represented. Eight
years ago there were scarcely more
than 80 unions affiliated with the fed
Grafton. Today we have 265 upon our
roster.
! If were asked what is the most i'm
portant work before this convention, ]
would unhesitatingly reply: The dis
cussion and Introduction Of ways and
means to carry on the work Of organ
ization throughout the state.
The field is wide. I receive letters
from every section Of the state in
curing as to. the best way to organize
a union. try to advise them the hes,
way 1 can by correspondence, but II
does not bring the results that an or
ganizer will. In new nnorganized
community we cannot expect local
men to take UP the work. 1t must be
inaugurated by curse elves. We must
send our men experienced in organlza-
ton to do the work. This Of course
takes money.
would recommend that a referendum
vote be taken for the purpose Of secur.
ing the concensus Of opinion among the
unions relating to increasing the pei
capita tax from one to two cents pc,
month.
The Get Together Policy.
Last year T was severely criticised
by a certain element in the labo,
movement for advocating the getsto-
getfer policy. The criticism has ir
no way altered my opinion. II it has
done anything it has tended tc
strengthen me In, my views. I be-
lieved that labor and capital should gel
as close together as they can.
1t is just as reasonable for capital
and labor to enter into an agreement
as it is for any buyer and seller tc