The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-06-17
Delegation from Duluth is Lar
gest-President Dix and
Secretary Treasurer McEw-
en- Submit Their Annual Re-
ports.

OF number of candidates for the leg
lslature fresh from the ranks of or
ganized labor. 1t is none too soon to
start now.
President Dix's Report.
In part President Dix said:
When your present officers were
elected at New Ulm, our finances were
such as would not allow for heavy ex-
penses for organization purposes, and
at the meeting of the Federation
Council I suggested that the president
try and secure volunteer organizers
throughout the state. Shortly after I
appointed volunteer organizers in the
following cities: Garfield Morrison of
Mankato and vicinity R. c. Kutz Of
Brainerd. M. O. saltz Of Winona.
Van Lear and Dix of Minneapolis. w.
E. McEwen of Duluth.
!. Il will state that in Minnesota we
have a vast. field for rsQr9antzattQn,
WORK. The sawr1ill workers sof Mime
apolis and Saltwater and elsewhere
are in a deplorable condition: Also
the miners of the great iron range.
The same is true of many Of the diff
ferent. trades throughout the state,
and I would recommend that ways and
means be devised whereby organizers
can be put to work in different parts
Of the state at least part of the time
While employers have the right to
hire whom they please, labor at the
same time claims the self same right
to say as to for whom they shall work
and to whom they shall sell their la
Dor, and the price for which the same
may be had. There is no Disgusting
the fact that at the present moment
labor is in the midst of battle. the
outcome of which no one can forsee
But as we revert to the history of
such scenes it may readily be con-
1ectured that the forces opposing may
gain slight advantage by under
hand methods, but the success will not
be long-lived, as reaction will set in
for the benefit of the organized toilers
Of our land. and their would-be de-
stroyers will have nothing but naught
for their pains. Orga nized labor being
vigilant can afford to wait its time and
may turn the tables upon it's oppOn-
ents. Both. prominent political parties
have ignored organized labor in the
party platforms, the organized workers
are a nonentfty in their eyes, and of
no consequence. And If these people
had their way, they would if they
could eliminate the wage earners in the
United States, as has been tried in some
not own you and control you to suit
their purpose, they will utterly de-
stroy you at any cost. Such people
are the sticklers for the open shop,
and if they are allowed to get on top,
they will put their theories into prac-
tice. It behooves the wage earners of
the state to be exerting themselves
and be alert to the dangers that await
them if they fail to grasp the situa-
tion and make some countermove for
their own protection. Mercy Is to be
shown to those from whom mercy is
received.
Says Time Is Ripe.
'Now is the time for organized la
Dor to show its strength and teach
these people who advocate the open
shop salutary lesson, and show them
what great mistake they have made
and such doctrines can have no foot
hold in our land. They bode no good
to the laboring man; they are opposed
to his welfare and try at every turn to
grind him to earth. An advocate of
the open shop is rat at heart and
as such is despicable in the eyes of
question of the hour, and it Is the
duty Of all true union workers to do
all in their power to counteract it's evil
tendencies. The open shop and the
non-union man are no good for our
cause.
"There are a few honest men in or
ganized labor circles who believe that
the solution of the labor problem, in
part at least. lies in legislation. And
they are doing good work to secure
favorable legislation for labor's inter-
ests. With the growing need for labor
legislation a few earnest men can do
but little. There must be an awaken
ing interest among all classes of labor
If we expect to meet with successful
recognition. Instead Of directing them
selves to radical economic changes that |
cannot be effected for a hundred
years, they must concentrate their |
forces to measures of relief that are
within reach. do not believe you will
! sit,sl,5 Co.tinneds nm mage fonr. 54 :$