The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-07-27

the purpose Of discussing the merits
of our proposition with view Of
effecting a speedy settlement Of the
trouble on the ore dock. We have or
ganized union at this writing, which
consists Of $50 members, all employees
on the docks when the strike began,
and we propose to affiliate with the
International Longshoremen, Marine
and Transport Workers association as
soon as our present difficulty is ad-
justed. We will then be in Il position
to offer you complete protection re-
lative to the carrying out of any con-
tract We may enter into. We assure
you that there Is no malice on our
part because Of this strike. Our hope
IS that in the future our relations will
be such that strikes will be numbered
with the things that were.
Not Considered Binding.
"Since we have come together in
business organization we have dis
cussed the alleged contract Of last
spring, and after the most searching
investigation, we have been unable to
find among our members one person
who understood the proposition you
made to us on May 1S, 1907, was bind
but one of the members Of the COM
mittee which conferred with your Mr..
McGonagle and Mr.. Kreitter were
strongly questioned, and with one ac-
cord they asserted that they not only
refused to sign your proposal, but be-
cause of timidity, they disliked to ex-
press themselves as not being entirely
satisfied with it.
I'VE also found that Superintendent
George Trevanasse called the men to-
gether and wanted them to give the
committee authority to sign an agree
ment to be effective until Oct. 81, 1907.
None of the men wanted to delegate
that power to a committee. Fina lily,
he urged them to choose some one to
speak for them and one of them came
forward and told the superintendent:
The boys were satisfied for the
present.
"None of US believe that this could
in anyway be interpreted as All agree
ment. In fact, many of the men were
so dissatisfied that they wanted to
through the influence of other en-
ployes some of whom arc at present
members Of this executive committee,
they were urged to postpone the mat
ter.
Can Profit by Contract.
Under our present system Of organ
ization, we believe that both can pro-
fit by trade agreement. One
thing is certain, however. should we
arrive at an understanding how, we
can give you every assurance that a
contract entered into will be faithfully
and consistently carried out. We be-
, lieve that we have profted consider
ably by our experience of the last week,
and while our methods of going on
strike may not have been according
to an established custom Of we'll
trained trades unionists, we believe we
are now in a position to deal with you
in a manner which will be satisfactory
to both.
1--WE ask for a conference for the
purpose of discussing the several pro-
offer reasons why we believe we are
entitled to more pay, and to listen to
reasons that may warrant you to OBJ
ject to the increase we ask for.
I'VE are prompted only by an hon.
est motive in our desire to confer with
you, and we beg leave to assure you
that we are not in anyway connected
directly or indirectly with the Western
Federation of Miners, nor have we been
advised by them.
I'VE propose to deal with our en-
ployers along the same lines and in the
same manner as do the like unions of
railroad employees.
Trusting that our difficulty may be
amicably adjusted, and assuring you Of
our earnest desire to cooperate with
you, for the purpose of settling our
dispute, we are,
-'- Yours truly,
lore Dock Workers of Duluth
Then follow the slgnacures Of the
president, vice president. recording Sec
retary, financial secretary-treasurer-
who compose the executive committee.
The communication ends with the fol-
lowing postscript:
1T would be perfectly ag1 1eeable to
US, If you would notify Hon. M. B.
Cullum, mayor, Of your decision in the
above matter, who in turn. could In
form US, and If the answer be favcr-
able, arrange for meeting"
The strikers' Demand.
A copy Of the desired agreement and
wage scale, accompanies the commune
cation. It is proposed the. agreement
remain in full force until the end of
contains the following wage scale
schedule:~
For day work shall be paid $3.50
per day and $2.75 for night work; time
and half for overtime and holidays:
10 hours to constitute a day; all other
conditions not herein specifically men
toned, to remain as heretofore. 4
1T is understood and agreed that ali
men shall return to work and shall Tot
be disseminated against excepting II
is proven that q man has committed an
act Of violence towards the company
sins slncfrsthe men have ceased work M en-