The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-12
A. I. OF. /. J n
IN MINNEAPOLIS

lN MllltEAPULlS
Continued from FIST Page.
to assure you that every dollar, every
cent OF the money raised for the enter
talnment of this. convention was con-
tributed BY trades unionists Of Mime
aPolls. 1t all came from our own peo-
PIE, who contributedS gsadly and will
Political Activity.
Speaking of the recent political &C
tiyity Of the federation Mr.. Mentally
said: .sz I. i wish to say here and now
that here in Minneapolis and in Mime
sofa we are glad that The American
Federation of Labor went into politics.
For the first time in the history of
the state, owing to the example and in
fltlatlve OF the parent body. we. have &C
comphshed something politically. For
the hrst time the common people have
favorable representation in our legisla-
tive bodies and for that@we owe you
much. - $3.50, -, -
Mr.: Mentally called the attention of
the delegates to the magnificent show
ing made by the local musicians un-
ion, which turned out ITO strong to
welcome the visitors and lead the pa
rade. Calling President Felix McIvor
of the musicians local to the platform
with handsome bouquet Of chrysan-
themums as token of appreciation.
Mr.. McIvor assured the visitors that
the musicians would have been glad to
march them over the entire city.
lnauguratlng a feature new in national
conventions, Rev. George P. Magiu of
Minneapolis, clerical representative on
the Trades and Labor assembly, offered
prayer, asking divine assistance and
guidance IN the deliberations of the
|. Alderman A. E. Merrill, president of
the city council, as acting mayor Of
the city; was introduced to welcome the
convention in behalf Of the city at
large. ~ 8 -
z:5.:z Welcomed by Merrill.
| cit is an honor to welcome to this
city the representatives of 100000 Of
the best citizens of our country said
Alderman A. E. Merrill, acting mayor,
and the applause. showed that his com
plment was Appreciated 81 regret
come you, but it is just after a strenu-
GUS campaign, and both the mayor and
the mayor-elect are out of the city, rest
ing from their labors. 40
1T think perhaps that am qualified
to welcome this body, however. I have
Just been reelected, with the indorse-
ment Of the state federation of labor.
For many years I have been laboring
man and I think that, tho your rules
may, may say otherwise, 7 am entitled to
SIt is appropriate that such an or
ganization should meet in Minneapolis,
q city which has always offered a fair
deal to the laboring man. Here the la
boring man has always been given his
fair share Of rights and privileges. All
our city. laborers are working only
eight hours day and we are getting
the best of service sin1 consequence.
+: : : H. Progress hof Labor =
"When we look back over the long
record of the, progress Of; labor, from
slavery under the Roman empire, thru
the oppressive labor laws Of the middle
ages, down to the enlightenment and
liberty Of today. weshawe every reason
for hoping better things in the future.
Modern machinery has Tevolutionized
The field .$of labor. 3 -Four hours day
duce s all % w1u Reeded TO suppy the
wants Of the public Under odd condi.
tions Of productions But improved
methods have brought increased wants,
so that at present eight hours day
are required. ,Fhe time was when six
teen hours were aSday's work; the time
is. coming when three or four hours will
be sufficient.
welcome you all. am glad to meet
the eminent, gentleman who is and /
I. - 4 k1o 4
am glad to welcome the man who, with
President Roosevelt, settled the anthra-
cite coal strike. I hope that your de-.
alterations here. may be Of the highest
value to, our fellow 'Workingmen. But
don It get unrest Don It try to change
things too quickly. Give everybody a
square deal. Be thoughtful,' as know
eco about our: city and look it over.
Compare our city hall and and courthouse,
built at cost of $4,000, 900 with certain
sylvania and New York. Gentlemen,
you are welcome. The keys of: the city
are yours. The key of the lookup is
thrown away and I have instructed the
police. not to arrest any Of you unless
you try to 20 away too soon. :"
AS soon as the applause which fol
lowed Alderman Merrill speech had
subsidized, Chairman Mentally rose to
explain that owing to delayed train
Governor johnson would not be pres
emit Cheers greeted the name of the
states chief executive. Then, on be-
half of the local arrangements commit
tee, Mr.: McNally presented President
Gompers. 49, : ---'-4'- - .-- ,>-. - *.s-ss
Gompers and johnson.
Before the applause which greeted
him had subsided#it was drowned out
by fresh wave Of cheers started at the
rear of the room. When those in front
turned their. heads and saw that the
occasion was the entrance Of Governor
johnson with Labor Commissioner W.
II: Williams, they, too, joined and the
applause was wild, and prolonged.
F President GompersF at once broke the
thread of his speech and greeted Gov
ernor Johnson. In introducing; him he
said that the name Of johnson Of Min
nesota was q household word turnout
the country and that tho surprised at
his appearance Immediately after it