The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-14
LABOR
SWIFT SCORES
4. MILL BOYC0TTERS
PROMINENT LABOR MAN WRITES
A POINTED LETTER.
of Labor to Remove the Boycott, but
the Embargo Was Continued NOW
He Frankly Explains His Position.

John Swift has written a letter to the
public explaining his attitude toward
the Minneapolis mill boycott, and Civ
ing his reasons for opposing it. The
letter appears in the current issue of
The Union Mr. Swift has been con-
for a long time, and except for the past
two or three years, in which period his
duties at Washington, d. c., have pre-
vented he was an active figure in all
councils Of labor. He appeared at the
last session of the State Federation of
Labor and expressed his views in his
customary frankness, but despite this
the state body upheld the action of the
mill organizations.
Since then Mr.. Swift has been
anxious that Samuel Gompers, president
of the A, +. <of L., visit Minneapolis and
make personal investigation of every
thing in connection with the mill strike,
and now Nj. Gomperss has signified his
Intention of coming here. Mr.. Swift
has all along urged the A. F. of L. Off,
Gals to investigate his statements, and
he has appeared before the executive
board several times and presented his
views on the local situation, and be-
lieves that the forthcoming investiga-
ion will vindicate him in the eyes of or
gained labor.
:. Mr.. Swift's Letter.
Mr.. swift's letter, is, in part, as fol-
lows: p
Because I refuse to indorse what I con-
slider an unjust and unrea sonable position
on the part Of d handful Of strikers is
no reason for believing that l have in any
way changed my position or lost my IN
terest in the organizations. 1 would ask
the Workingmen Of the city If it is not
a fact that the employees Of the Touring
hptt
and accorded better treatment than in
any similar mills in the country / would
ask them If 1t is not a fact that the en-
ployers in the flour mills in this city as
sisted in the organization OF the Flour
and Cereal Mills International and that
they donated money to assist in the or
gan1zation? I would ask if it is not a fact
that; the flour mills In this city granted
the eight-hour day to their employees
with a few exceptions, and that they paid
more wages for eight hours than mills in
other cities We're paying for twelve hours :?
These are facts, and taken together with
the fact that the Touring mills constitute
the chief industry in our city, it is but
natural that I. together with every citi-
zen who has the best interests of our city
at heart, should oppose any action which
might injure or destroy this industry. un-
less such action was absolutely right and
justified. cannot believe that the action
Of the flour mill employees was justified
by the conditions, and think that a mis-
take was made in ordering strike, and
that an injustice is being done in singing
out one firm and placing them on the
unfair list. =. In taking this position I be-
lieve have the same right which every
other man has. of express. his honest
convictions, without being accused Of dis
honesty The general public be-
lieNes the strikers made a mistake, and
that they are now pursuing a wrong
course in continuing to push: the boycott,
and should admit that they are defeated,
and withdraw the boycott. 1t has done
much to prejudice the public against all
forms Of organized labor, and has injured
other organizations in the city and state
for this reason.