The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-16
UNION FARMER As
KIN OF A. F. OF I.
TILLER OF THE SOIL rs HALF
i BROTHER OF ToILER.
At Least the American Federation Of
Labor and the American Society Of
Equity Have Joined Hands After
Clash Over Farmers as Employers.

Something midway between an affilia-
ton and an alliance was formed be-
tween the American Federation Of La
Dor and the American Society of Equity
the organized wageworkers and the
farmers after a spirited debate yester
day afternoon. John P. Lennon, chair
man Of the committee of nine appointed
to confer with the nine representatives
of the farmers union,'' reported a
plan Of cooperation as follows: ..-..'
Both the labor men and the farm
strengthen their respective organiza-
lions as much as possible. The labor
unionists were to agree to buy farm
produce bearing the label of the Amer
lean Society Of Equity and the farmers
were to patronize union-made goods.
Both organizations were to work to-
gether thru their state and national
bodies, exchanging fraternal delegates.
-. Farmer as Employer.
This report was not adopted without
opposition. The main argument Of
those opposed was that the farmer, by
reason OF owning his lana, was an en-
ployer-he belonged to the capitalistic
ton of working men. Those support
ing this contention were led by Presi-
dent Malone Of the streetcar employees,
who referred with some bitterness to
the fact that the farmer Is boy was con-
tinually appearing as strikebreaker,
{ and he wanted to know what guarantee
the Society, of Equity could give that
he would not continue to do 50. Sam
De Nedrey, delegate from he Cenral
Labor union Of Washington, D. C.,
wished to know if the society was com
posed Of the men who owned small
farms and worked them, or big farms
the "silk stocking'' farmers.
/ C. j. Crowley Of Baraboo, Wis, was
allowed to reply to these arguments for
the farmers. He said that the members
| OF the committee all owned their farms
and worked them, but that the society
admitted the hired help Of the farm to
membership. He urged that if the fed
GRAFTON would help the farmers to get
fair return for their labor and so pay
decent wages to their help, the farmer
boy would not be tempted by the high
wages and short hours offered him in
the city, and so would not come into
competition with the organized work
| man. .%E.
Congressman-elect W. B. Wilson of
Pennsylvania and Rev. John Tuohly,
ED.D., in charge Of the Catholic parishes
| at Jonesbury and Warrenton, NO., also
spoke in favor Of the report. Presi-
dent Lynch objected because a member
OF the Equity society in Cincinnati ran
an "open'' printing shop.
Farmers as Half Brothers.
! Vice President Duncan, who was in
the chair thru the afternoon, finally put
the question and the motion to accept
the report Of the committee of nine
| was carried by substantial majority.
The convention then took recess to
permit those who had resolutions to
present to file them with the Secretary
| before the time limit cut them off.
There was great rush for the desk
| creased from 81 to l49. No more reso-
buttons can be presented except. by the
unanimous consent of the convention.
The range Of subjects covered by
these resolutions is wide. Many relate
to- internal grievances, others ask tina t
certain firms and their products be
put on the unfair list; others ask that
the Federation send special organizers
| into certain districts; some request that
certain bills pending before congress
be indorsed; others suggest the draft
ing Of new laws on the repeal Of old
The resolutions committee began
work, on this, mass of material at $50
70 CLOCK last night and spent many hours
| whipping it into shape. It is probable
that some of the less important resolu-
tions will be dropped entirely or else
srdetracked to let stronger resolutions
on the same subject 90 by. There is in
the hands of the resolutions and other
committees to which the resolutions are
referred enough business to keep the
convention awake for the rest Of it's
stay in Minneapolis. -. 49,
Theater Party Saturday. y"
The Commercial club, thru W. G.
| Nye, secretary of the public affairs
committee, has, arranged for the dele:
| gates to the American Federation of
| Labor convention to attend the per.
! Torrance Of Charles T. Aldrich in else.
cret Service SAM at the Bijou tomor.
row night. Four hundred seats have
been reserved for the use Of the dele
gates and their friends, and the off
GERS, including President Samuel Com
gers,: James Duncan, first vice presi
dent; Frank Morrison. secretary; John
Mitchell, Chilly" Wilson, congress
man-elect from the mining regions OF
Pennsylvania, and the delegates from
| Canada and England, will occupy boxes
The theater will be tastefully deco
rated in the national colors. :
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