The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-13

Special to The Journal.
Saltwater, MINI, June 13.-Charac-
terizing their action as labor IS new
declaration of independence, and with
three rousing cheers which made the
Auditorium building ring to- the echo,
Dor this forneoon went on record as ia
voring the entry of labor unions into
politics.
The special committee appointed to
draft platform submitted a report
which was adopted by the convention
with very little discussion and nothing
worthy the name Of objection.
Many Of the delegates thought that
the ninth section Of the platform. ask
with the labor unions in their effort,
was inconsistent in view Of the fact
that the unions were not prepared to
ask for an eight-hour day for the farm
laborer, but this objection was overcome
when it was explained that later the
feasibility Of embracing the farm class
Of laborers in the eight.hour movement
would be considered.
Dead in Earnest.
It is evident that the federation is
earnest in its determination to enter
politics and become power in that
way. While there were many In the
ranks who were doubtful as to the adj
Instability of such step, today there
is unanimity Of opinion upon the.
question that has not characterized any
important step taken by the state body
for years. This is taken to indicate
that the plan will prove success. The
report of the special committee was
ing in part as follows:
Committees Report.
Your special committee on political
actions, to whom was referred the rec
ommendation Of Secretary Treasurer
McEwen, holds that it has become nec-
essary for labor to take the same inter-
est in politics that it does in the econ
omies. Therefore we recommend to this
convention that the president appoint
a state convention political committee
composed Of one member from each con-
gressional district In the state, and two
This committee shall have the same
relation to this federation in it's politi-
cal work as is now held by the fedora
t1on council, the purpose being to keep
the economic and regular Administrative
features of the federation separate and
distinct from it's political work, and so
that this federation may always have
supervision over the work Of a union
labor political movement in lthe state.
This committee shall render to the
next convention detailed report of
its work during the year.
This committee shall be bound strict
ly to the letter Of the political policy
outlined by the American Federation
of Labor. Tt shall have power to in
dorse none but bona ids union men
with paid-up working cards, for polit-
lcal office, except in the matter Of
choosing "a regularly elected delegate
Legislative Committees.
By the plan proposed legislative COM
mittees are to be chosen from among
the members of organized labor in each
legislative district by conference Of
the candidates and members Of this
state central committee. Should any
member of the state central committee
take a political office he shall cease to
be a member Of the committee and the
president Of the federation shall ap-
fill the vacancy.
The state central. committee is au-
thorized to issue an appeal to organ
lied labor and it's friends to contribute
funds to promote the political cam
paign hereby proposed.
g. Plans for This Year.
Il The committee recommends that the
work Of committee this year be con.
fined to legislative and judicial politics
and If necessary to contests for sheriff
and county attorney. It advises the
placing of legislative candidates in any
district where there is fair chance fol
The committee will not indorse any
union man for office unless he has first
consulted the committee before filing
for the nomination or before circulating
lis petition. There will be appointed
a, legislative union labor committee II
2 every district where there is union la
Dor candidate.
Much time this forenoon was taker
up in handling belated resolutions. In
dorsement was given the plan to hold 8
semi centennial celebration in honor Of
the admission Of Minnesota to the
: union.
The claim Of the Minneapolis Build
ing Trade council against the fedora
tion was satisfactorily adjusted and
will be paid by the incoming officers
This debt was incurred by the Mime
Cray injunction case, and is one Of Ions
standing and has been the source Of
much trouble.
A resolution to prevent the supreme
court and other judges for declaring
unconstitutional laws which appear OF
the statute books was defeated after &
heated debate
Another New Candidate.
A new candidate for president has
appeared in the person Of H. w. Goet
Finger Of St. Paul, who is a member
of the typographical union. The cleo
ton will be the last order Of business
fthe day, and the prospects are il
Owing to the large field there is mucsf
uncertainty.
TTS MTSsT0Kr TIM p0r rmrrIe