The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-06-17
Duluth Man is Unanimously
Reelected Secretary Treas
urer of the State Federation
of Labor and Given an Ova-
tion- Saltwater Is Chosen
as Next Place for Meeting.
FIRST DAY.

BRAINERD, Minnn. June 12.-Presi-
dent Frank G. Hall, Of the local trades
and labor assembly. In a brief address
opened the twenty-third annual con-
vention Of the Minnesota State FEEDER
this morning at 10 o'clock. Mayor c.
O'Brien made an address Of welcome
and while the committee on creden-
tials was preparing its report the del
egates listened to addresses by w. H.
Williams, state labor commissioner;
National Organizer Murray Of the car
penters' union; A. G. Bainbridge, Of
and w. E. McEwen, OF Duluth, the
secretary treasurer of the state feder
alton.
From the standpoint of attendance
the. convention is one Of the most sue-
cessfm ones in the history Of the fed
Grafton. The federated unions have
all sent large delegations to Brainerd,
ors with more than 100 representatives.
The presence Of this large number
from the head Of the lakes is mainly
due to the fight being waged against
Secretary Treasurer McBwen by the
twin city men. The plan of McEwen's S
opponents is to secure the passage Of
an amendment to the constitution that
of the funds Of the association. The
passage Of such an amendment Will
mean that the salary Of the secretary
treasurer of the federation will be cut
to such a point that it will be impos-
sible for Mr.. McEwen to serve and DO
himself justice and credit in the posi-
tion as he has during his term OF OF,
flee. The Duluth delegation Is solid
for Mr. McEwen and it is believed here
that they have already been assured OF
enough votes by the representatives OF
the other unions to defeat the plan:
A. E. Kellington, president OF the
Flour and Cereal Mill Employees union
of Minneapolis, is seeking the berth @
Conrad, Of the Minneapolis Cigarmak-
ers' union, is also a candidate. Dur
ino the afternoon session Of the conven-
ton. President Dix and Secretry-
Treasurer McEwen read their reports
and both reviewed in detail the work
of the federation Of the past year: In
his report Mr.. McEwen said IN part:
MoEwen's Report.
Work was started last year short
]y after the New Ulm convention under
the most favorable auspices. Parry
ism was at its height, and was boldly
threatening to destroy every trade
and labor union that asserted ITSELF
A dearth of business over the previous
year had greatly reduced the number
Of employed. A general movement for
a reduction in wages was attempted
by thousands of employers and In
some instances were effected partic-
ularly where there were no organiza-
tims of labor. The labor leaders
throughout the country were quick to
grasp the situation. President Comp
ers Of the American Federation Of
Labor issued a timely warning to the
International and local unions under
It's jurisdiction. No effort was made
to- secure better conditions for the
moment but unions were cautioned to
resist with all strength every attempt
at a reduction in wages. This was
the slogan for the year. and that most
of the unions succeeded on this plan
Is evident from statistical reports
herewith submitted.
Situation Is Brighter.
Now that the industrial situation
looks brighter for this year. it is
found that comparatively few strikes
have occurred for a restoration of
toll. The triumph of trade unionism
is in the fact that we have been able
to hold our own under the most un-
favora BILE circumstances.
For the reasons above mentioned
but little time was wasted by this fed
Grafton in promoting new organiza-
ton work. The officers agreed that
the responsibility was upon the fed
Grafton to protect the movement In
this state from suffering from a set
back. All agreed that the important
thing to do was to give our whole
support to those unions that were
least able to Withstand an attack.
Now that the industrial sky is clear
or you can best judge whether or not
we have heen successful in our efforts.
A close attention to the business Of
this office, and a. careful observance Of
the work of many trade unions and
central bodies in the state prompts
me in: the declaration that the; labor
movement was never In q more healthy