The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-02-02

broken up and has not since been re-
organized. Most Of the strikes since
then have been Of a trivial nature and
short duration, with only a few men
involved.
In 1899 and 1900 the trades assembly
was characterized by it's extreme radi-
calism. The two years just previous
had been very prosperous ones, and
the organization was at it's height,
about $500 to 1000. The unionists
felt jubilant and independent and it
was hard to keep them under control.
Boycott was the word. Every little
grievance which any of the union men
in the city had was the cause of a
boycott against some firm or COM
pany Of Duluth. The boycotts finally
became so frequent that the radical
ism Of the trades assembly was q pub
lie nuisance. The business men Of the
city decided to do something to pre-
vent it going any further.
A bill was drawn up and intro
as the anti-boycott bill. The meas
ure was framed by the business men
here in Duluth, but was introduced by
q member Of the legislature from the
southern part Of the state. Although
many Of the labor leaders in Duluth
admitted that the trades. assembly
had become a nuisance from it's radi-
calism, they considered this bill as un-
just in that it hit labor alone and paid
no attention to the many other bust-
ness boycotters.
Their was hard fight for the pass
age of the bill In the senate after 1t
had gone through the house. The Ia
Dor organizations fought bravely
against it and maintained strong
lobby at St. Paul. Finally the Duluth
business men sent a delegation of ten
men to st. Paul to further the passage
Of the bill. The information of this
was tipped off to w. E. McEwen and
the president Of the trades assembly
sent like committee Of ten men to
watch the business mems committee.
A series of joint meetings was held
at the Merchants hotel and finally the
two committee agreed upon a COM
promise bill. The labor leaders did
not like the bill, but after receiving
some inside information that 1t would
never get through the senate they
agreed to let it stand. The bill, when
dozen votes. Since then, however,
there has been very little boycotting
on the part Of the trades assembly, as
the moro conservative element has
been at it's head.
The Duluth Building Trades council
did not reorganize after 1892 until 1897
when a strong body by that name was
formed with membership including
nearly all Of the building trades.
Friction with the trades assembly was
prevented by the two organizations
exchanging fraternal delegates. At
the time the trades council was recog-
nized as an auxiliary to the trades
assembly. It continued as such until
couple Of years ago when its name was
changed to the Building Trades Struc-
tural alliance. Many of the local un-
ions now send delegates to both bodies,
and the trades alliance is considered
by its members as being equally inn
portant as the trades assembly, Its
meetings are executive and little Of
the proceedings get out to the public
Both Of the central organizations
elected new officers about a month
ago. The new president Of the trades
assembly ia William J. Hunt, who is
also a member Of the trades alliance.
Ed Lowe presides at the meetings of
the trades alliance. Last year was a
progressive one for both OF the central
organisations In Duluth and on account
OF the peaceful relations existing be-
tween them at present the labor Lead
ers are looking for an equally pros
psrpus yssr during 1897,