The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-27

Ex:fiExkXkKxxS!k%kSE:H.s Observation-Disclosures
=. One Of the matters Of interest which
will come before the convention Of the
State Federation Of Labor at the SEES
sion to be held in saltwater beginning
June IT,. will be the consideration Of
American Federation Of Labor. That
the questions will be taken up and dis
yeussed earnestly, there is no doubt,
! Con ditions in Minnesota are pecu-
liar at the present time as regards the
relations Of labor unions to politics
are opposed on general principles to
taking an active part in political cam
paigns, the trend Of events recently has
been leading the unions to enter poll
tics in order to Hget' certain politi
clans who are aligned against them
and to try to secure laws which will
improve the condition Of the working
men in general.
49,, Work for Labor's Friends.
While state politics have been receiv-
ing attention for some time at the
hands of individual unions, it is likely
that action to be taken in the conven-
these together into one body, with
single purpose in view, that Of electing
men who favor their cause and defeat
ing those who do not.
Local unions which have acted on the
Gompers proposition have received it
with open arms and have passed upon
i i tfavorably: Delegates to the State
been instructed as to their duty in the
matter of the federation going into pol
tiles Altogether, everything seems to
indicate that there win be something
doing this year by organized labor.
Minneapolis unions are not alone in the
meter Of taking up the q4eSti8a as III. IN
Duluth are in line, both Of these cities
having we'll proportional local political
bodies actively at work. The smaller
towns are expected to get into line as
soon as the federation acts, and those
who are engineering the political end
Of the movement predict that this year
.a5# Money Will Be Forthcoming.
/. Lack of funds has hampered the work
Of the state body for many years, 1t
is well known that there has never been
a time when money enough was on hand
to take care of the many needs. Or
ganization work this year came to a
have ceased, solely for the reason that
the cash available for this purpose be-
came exhausted. Steps will be taken to
devise plan by which "war fund"
can be raised in the next few years
which will be ample to place organizers
in the field and properl Y care for the
field work Of the state. Up to the pres
ent, affiliated unions. as a rule, have
been somewhat indifferent when the
question of providing increased income
to the federation. was placed before
them. Now, however, there is feeling
that the money will be forthcoming this
year, and the organization put upon a
sound financial basis.
Federation politics received boost
this week when it was announced that
R:Phillips, president of the local Retail
Clerks association, would be candi-
date for the office Of secretary treas
urer, now held by W. E. McEwen Of
Duluth. Mr.. Phillips will be backed
by number Of twin city delegates and
has received several endorsements. He
:. is member of No. $50, having como
here from st. Paul, where he was for
alnpmber Of years secretary Of No. 2.
In. St. Paul Mr.. Phillips represented his
union in the Trades Assembly and is
recognized as man Of ability and a
consistent trade unionist.