The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-07-27
Heretofore They Were morgan
lied and Without any Authora-
tative Body to Represent Them
on Questions Material to the
Prosperity Of the Craft.
Recently They Have Perfected an
Organization Designed to Affil-
late With the International
Longshoremens Association and
Be Subject to its Authority.
Draft of Agreement Prepared by
the Executive Committee of the
New Organization Embracing
Propositions for Basis of Strike
Settlement With Employers.

Settlement With Employers.
The ore dock workers have been
seriously handicapped this week by
the calling of the big strike of the
miners on the Mesaba range. When
the men on the Duluth docks entered
into the contest they had no knowledge
of the proposed strike of the Western
Federation Of Miners, and now that
the situation at the mines has caused
considerable excitement it makes it ex-
ceedingly difficult to arrange for set
tlement with the Duluth, Missabi and
Northern Railway company.
Since the last issue of the Labor
World the ore dock workers have Or
gantZed themselves into union which
will affiliate with the International
Longshoremen's association so soon as
the trouble is adjusted. With the re-
putation of this organization clearly
established for standing by it's agree
ment, there is no valid reason why
the railway officials should not signify
willingness to enter into an agree
ment With the new OrganiZa ton.
6ISCI ScoQ O0iCerS.
The officers Of the new union, which
constitutes the executive board con-
sists Of Nelson Perry, president; Jacob
Thoreson, vice president; J. Lindquist.
recording secretary; J. w. Conner, fl
nancial secretary, and William Perry,
treasurer. Other officers elected are:
Emil De Caney, marshal; Joseph
Wanie, guard; Louis Danielson, VIM.
Perry, Fred Johnson, Alex Wierzbiski
and Otto Hadrick, finance committee.
Acting upon the request of large
number of the strikers. organizers for
the American Federation Of Labor
were urged to aid them in perfecting
their new organization: It is the pur-
pose of the A. F, Of L. people to place
the men in such a position that strikes
will be unnecessary in the future.
The union labor men have made no
attempt to agitate or incite the strik-
ers. With them it is a mere business
proposition, and if the steel trust OFF,
cials would but deal with the new
union along the recognized lines of
trade unionism they are in a position
to assure the big corporation an unin-
terrupted era of industrial peace so far
as this branch Of the work is con-
cerned
Should Change Policy.
1t may be necessary for the railway
officials to divert trife from their
established method Of dealing with the
men, but as their time-worn policy
does not offer tho best security for
industrial peace, they would be per-
forming valuable service to the
community if they would adopt the
more modern and humane plan in
dealing with associations of their EN-.
ployes.
Since the men have organized they
have acted as becomes American citi-
zens. There has not been one oit of
violence. No mon have been intimi-
dated, and out of the 100 men on
strike, 6S7 have voluntarily joined the
new union., They manifest no malice
towards the officials of the railway
company, and have all along signif1ed
a Willingness to meet with them. Ir
fact they have extended very courte-
Gus invitation to the Officials for a
conference. but this has In no way
been accepted
Men Are Conservative.
Ihe conservative attitude of the
men ought to win for them the re-
spect and consideration of every
= champion of fair play in the city. The
matter of the alleged contract entered
into last May by the unorsanized ore
COCK workers is an open question
Inc officials Of the railway and strik-
ers entertain widely different views
on the matter, so wide that there Is
much room for doubt as to the exist.
ence OF any kind Of a contract ex.
ceptlns proposal from the company
ohoulo the steel trust officials con-
tinue to refuse to deal with the men
IN their present standing, other honor
able propositions will be made, and
with the sole purpo ose Of re-establ blish-
Ing industrial peace in Duluth. They
expect by the fairness Of their nosi-
ton to be able to win their wav to The
hearts of their employers, and thus
eventually compel an adjustment y,
their difficulties in e. manner whicr
snould become AM erican workin eaner
In dealing with. American EMPLOYERS
AS an evidence Of the <emper Of the
ore dock workers in this controvers,
we publish in connection with this the
letter and proposed agreement sub.
mitted to the officials by the union
They are as follows:
The Proposed Agreement.
Duluth, Mimi, July 20. 1907. VIII
lam J., Olcott, president, D. M. g.
Railway company. Duluth, MINI.
Dear Sir: Enclosed herewith yo,
Will fnd copy Of proposed agreemen
4 which the faployes now on .atrike. q
& your ore ~ TSs. would be pleased I,
81 sapectflll tia for 3 4sconferencs 4 fd