The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-15
BY FRATERNAI, DELEGATES
Addresses at A. f. Of T.. Convention BY
I British Unionist.

-t~oSAAoA ~ OOeAuS 4lOAI bAO IOplC.
sentatives Of the British Trades Union
congress and the Canadian Trades
Union congress took up the major part
Of the time at today's opening session
Of the American Federation Of Labor.
j.. N: Bell, fraternal delegate from
England, spoke first. He dealt largely
with the similarity of the questions
confronting the trades unionists in
Great Britain and the United States.
Chinese coolie labor, the eight-hour
daw and politics were the three points
upon which he touched.
II see that you, with us, are troubled
promises Of men before election and
their acts in Office said Mr.. Bell.
owe have one thing to trouble us
that you do not-that venerable in
iquity, the house Of lords. This body
steadily opposes all laws favorably de-
fning the status Of labor.
FNow we have taken our cause to
the polls, a measure which I have been
advocating for the last sixteen years.
Many feared that the conflict between
the diverse race, creed and political
elements in trade unionism would re.
suit in our disruption. but such has
have forced us to it. The Judges in
terpreted the existing laws against us
and we had to 90 into politics to get
other laws. There are 100000 Of us
In the national labor party and allied
with us are two socialist bodies.
What They Want. q.
"There are some who have ques-
toned the prudence Of this alliance,
but the difference between the socialist
and the trades, unionist is not great. The
latter wants to get as big a share Of
the wealth he produces as is possible,
the former wants it all. AT present the
socialists are willing to waive their full
claims and Join with us in taking what
they can get. This cooperation was
the cause Of our success in the recent
elections, which, think, will work for
the establishment of real and lasting
labor party. The labor party elected
thirty members to the house Of COM
mons and twenty more men of labor
affiliations have been returned under
the auspices of the liberal party. IS Our
political activity has made the organi-
cation Of the unskilled laborerss mare
|. "The inspiration Of the movement
came from the socialists, but the battle
was fought and won by the drilled
and disciplined battalaions of union
labor. --.-7 7 ---t.>- .f.-0c..--
We feel assured that trades union
lists OF all countries are looking with
good will upon our battle and we hope
that the time will come when trades
unionists Of all countries will actively
co;operate to help each other win their
From British Delegate. s->
Allan Gee, the other fraternal dele
ycsnf frovo Errlon1 coil,
"The cause Of trades unionism is the
cause Of peace and humanity said
Mr. Gee, :ssbut unless it follows the
| lines Of evolution rather than the lines
of revolution, it will fail to attain it's
ends. We want. to bring all the ma
tions Of the earth into one big frater-
nal brotherhood Of trades unionists, a
real international congress Of all trades.
We: are looking forward to real inter
national congress. .@
nsuch a congress would be huge
overcome the difficulties in the way,
and why should not we do the same9:
Militarism Is q thing with which
we as trades unionists have nothing to
do. They are seeking to Introduce
military drill into the schools Of Eng
land, and we are opposed to it. If Lord
Roberts wants to. make fighting trade,
ne can >C make soldier or my child.
The poor man Is child does the fighting
and the other man g child gets off scot
free and gets all the rewards as well.''
Canada then sent its greeting thru
its fraternal delegate. Samuel T.. Lam
ders, who maintained that the inter
national boundary was no barrier to
the feeling Of fraternity built ,up by
the International union, correspond
ence and the trade union journal.
eve look upon the United States as
the most advanced in all labor: move
nients and endeavor to follow the pace
it sets,'''' said Mr. Landers. "What is
more, we have q large measure Of sue
cess. Like you, we have bureau Of
labor, and like you, we are seeking to
have it made q department independent
of other interests. There. are 1000
trades unions in Canada, with a n en-
bership Of 100000"
Cigarmakers Tonight.
This evening the cigarnakers locals
Of Minneapolis, and ST. Paul will unite
for reception and smoker in honor
OF their visiting officers and dele-
gates The celebration will be held
| in Union Temple, Washington avenue
s, between Nicollet and First avenues.
President Gompers Of the American
Federation is a member and former
officer Of the cigarmakers interna tional
and will be the guest OF hc%or at the
reception tonight. III Il ISL assi