The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-05-18
FLOUR MILL WORKERS
IN MIDST OF ACTIVITY
Greatest Industry in Minnesota Is
Center of Interest in
Organization.
After Hard Fight the Mill Work
ers Are Making Their Way
Recognition.

Ever since the big -four mill strike
In Minneapolis almost four years ago
the Flour and Cereal Mill Employees
International Union has had Diff
ficult time fighting its way to public
recognition. II it were not for the
!ndomitable will and the strong moral
courage Of such men as A. e. Kell-
ington, the ecretary-treasurer Of the
prosecuted union. efforts at orgamza-
ton would have been abandoned long
ago.
The union has recently experienced
q marvellous increase In membership
throughout the state. The old Min
neapolis unions are having regular o!o-
fashioned revivals. The charters are
re-opened for a period Of sixty days
and new members are being admit
ted by the score.
Montgomery Mon Win.
At Montgomery, Mimi, the -four mill
workers settled strike last week
which lasted for Ave months. The
strike was against a reduction in wag-
es. and strange to say, that while the
company shipped In 500 strike break
ers. not one Of the unionists returned
to work. There never was such sac
rifice among band Of men, and every
man remained true to the last.
The story of the situation from one
of the strikers, free from polish and
boast, indicates somewhat the char
acter Of the men Cn strike. This Is
what he says:
1.-THE boys remained loyal, and were
determined to win.
1.-The company shipped in about 500
strike breakers and at the close OF the
strike there were about eleven left,
ard they coul.l not operate the mill,
which was quarantined with small
pox by the city board Of health. At
the time the disease broke out there
were about forty-flve in the mill. but,
as strike breakers generally do, the
most Of them got cold feet and quit.
"We maintained it would he impos-
sible for the company to operate their
mill successfully unless g. settlement
was effected with our union, as the
strike breakers could not get board,
room or anything else in our town.
The citizens and business men were
heartily in sympathy with the union
and advised the men to fight 1t to
a finish, as there was everything to
gain and nothing to lose. The men
whose wages were cut were receiving
the magnificent sum of $3.50 per day
Of twelve hours and were cut II cents
per day.
"Our wages ranged from $3.50 to
$225. and our demands were the eight
hour day without a reduction in wages.
There are many flour mills In this
state running on the eight-hour sys-
tenn. and in every case the men are
receiving higher wages than we were"
St, Cloud Union e-Organized.
Recently the old union at St. Cloud
was re-organized by Mr.. Kellington,
and it has a most promising future
indeed, for it is understood that the
proprfetors Of the Geo. Tileson Mill
ing Company are considering the pro-
position Of putting the union label on
their -four. The men IN this mill are
securing fair wage, and are work.
ing the eight-ho day. This was the
first mill in the country to adopt the
eight hour work day. The members
of this union will undoubtedly give
the delegates attending the coming
convention of the Minnesota State
Federation Of Labor a rousing recep-
ton when they meet in st. Cloud next
month.
At Fairbault the union consists Of rs
members, and are employed under the
eight-hour system. The union mill
there has an output Of 5000 barrels a
day, and the brand of -four sold in
Minnesota towns is known as Gold
Nine" The Fairbault mill workers
have done much to stimulate the la
Dor movement in this pretty little Min
nesota city.
There is also a very active union OF
mill workers at Hastings. 1t is one
of the unions which have withstood
the attacks Of the past, and comes out
Of the contest with clean skirts and
an unblemished name.
The international union is still wag-
ing Its war against the product Of the
Washburn- Crosby Company of Min
neapolis. No member of a union, nor
friend Of union labor will purchase
flour made In mill which bears such
malice against workingmen.
STRIKE ADVANCES STOCK
OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
The recent strike In the building
trades made lot Of friends for Or
ganized labor in Duluth. This is due
oox,aro1 soru rla.n