Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-06-21

ion men was recently held at Fort
Madison and was largely attended by
representatives from all three cities.
The subject of political action was en-.
Enthusiastically entered Into.
Within the past two weeks, the mas
ter printers Of Sioux City gave notice
OF annullment of contract recently en-
tered into with the Painters Union,
The terms of the contract were for an
eight hour day with a minimum wage
scale of 371a cents per hour and was
to remain in force for period of two
years. The breaking Of the contract
was brought about by pressure from
the Sioux City Industrial Association.
which threatened to withdraw all busi-
ness from firms that would comply
with agreement. This is the same or
ganization that under date of March 8;
1906, wrote the members Of the Iowa
general assembly that their organiza-
ton HAS promoted and will continue
to promote fair play, good will and i1l-l
dustrial peace in our city" Courts
ordinarily hold contracts void onlI
when entered into by one Of the pal
ties through fear, through fraud, or be
cause of mental incapacity Of one d
| the parties to the contract It is no.
yet known for which of these reasons
| the Industrial association found it ne.
cessary to protect the master paint-
ers and drive them into open violation
and annullment Of written contract.
The May convention of the Iowa.
State Federation of Labor was the best
ever held in the history of the orga-k
nization. Aside from the usual and
regular business incident to a labol
convention, decided action was takeI
instrlcting greater political activity OF
all union members in the nominating
and electing candidates for legtslativs
and judicial positions and wherever
| possible to secure the election of PERI
sons allied with labor interests. An1
other advance step was taken in the
instructions given the president Of the
federation to make an effort to get a
hearing before all farmers and coop
erative associations with view of
bringing about better understanding
on all questions of mutual Interest,",
What others thought of our convenSI
ton is best set forth by the following
editorial by the Ottumwa Courier,
The Labor Convention.
"Ottumwa has again demonstrated
tudL IL 10 OAS VI IuS DSSt COuf9llLiOlE
} cities in Iowa by the excellent manner
in which the Iowa State Federation oil
, Labor was entertained. President A..
L. Urick, who now enters upon his
fourth term in that position, voiced
the sentiment of the officers and most,
Of the delegates when he said that tho
| fourteenth annual convention was, ono
of the most profitable, successful hare
monious and enjoyable ever held BY
: the organization. The people Of Ottum4
wa heartily concur In tho statement
of Mr.. Urick that it was fine body o.
men representing the organized woT
: ers of the state. Throughout the ct
vention, during the business session
/ and on the street, the delegates at
times conducted themselves in an o.
derby and upright manner. 1t was q
, representative body of working men
met together to discuss matters OF
{ Importance. The various questions bet
, fore the convention were carefully CONF
sidered, and while there was diffeN
t ence Of opinion and heated debate on
. some of the resolutions, there was not
. the slightest personal ill-feeling among
| the delegates.
r "The committee which worked sd
e faithfully for many weeks to secure thu
8 convention for this city and later I'd
: perfect the arrangements for the meet
4 ing, and the citizens who extended
e their hearty support to make the stay
e of the delegates in Ottumwa an enjoyl
Z able one are to be congratulated on
g the success which attended their eff
forts. Such conventions are recogniz
/ ed as of great value to a city and ths
d progressive citizens Of Ottumwa will,
Y always gladly welcome the Iowa Fed.
i Grafton of Labor and similar meet
8 ings"
S President Iowa State Federation
n Labor.
Il Des Moinss. aM A Jaaa j. 1896 st