The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-04-11

Interesting Account Thereof Civ
en- ina Recent Issue Of
That Paper.

The Republican, Herald, :: wide
awake journal published at winona,
this state, allows no: opportunity to
escape to keep its columns filled with
the live questions of the day. In are.
cent issue it gives the following very
Interesting account OF an interview
with the state officer from Duluth:
The interview.
w. E. McEwen, secretary treasurer
of the MinnesotaFState Federation Of
Labor and state of inspector, is here
to confer with Deputy OIL Inspector
EBambenek on some matters Of system
and the. making Aof changes that will
be beneficial to the conduct Of the
business, and while here Is improving
the occasion to discuss with the local
arrangements committee the arrange
ments for the state convention Of the
Federation Of Labor to be held here
June 8, 9 and 1G Mr.. McEwen met
with the committee this afternoon and
was we'll pleased with the way in
which matters are progressing for the
entertainment Of the convention.
The State Convention.
In conversation at The Wlnona this
noon with a representative of The Re-
publican-Herald Mr.. McEwen said that
the indications were that the conven-
| ton at Winona would be very largely
attended, and it was possible there
would be so much business to consider
that it would not be possible to get
! through in a, three days session and a
fourth day might be necessary. When
asked for a statement Of matters likely
to come up before the convention ne
said: ': -
1T is my opinion that the federation
at this meeting will vote to take a
decisive position in politics this COM
ing fall as to legislative matters, for
mulating a program and declaring for
a policy by which, we can seek the
election of men more friendly to the
legislative wants Of all labor. We ex-
pect the conventions will take steps to
inaugurate and carry on an active
campaign in an endeavor to secure the
passage by the next legislature Of an
employers liability law covering haz-
ardous labor in estate. We tried to
secure the enactment of such a law at
the last session of the legislature but
failed, the interests affected most by
such legfslation p1aying on the preju4
fdices Of Representatives from the rural
districts with the claim, that such a
law would put out Of business every
small employer of labor in the state.
1.-THE argument was difficult to comba
at the time because of the newness of
I such a"law. However, the decision Of
| the Federal Supreme court declaring
unconstitutional the national employ
ers' liability law, and the subsequent
courageous and patriotic message OF
President Roosevelt on the subject, in
which he urged congress to enact A
new law In compliance with the de-
cision of the supreme court governing
employers. engaged In Interstate COM
merce and in which he also declared it
was the DUTY of the state legislature to
enact laws within their several states
for the railway companies and other
employers doing business therein,
makes the outlook better now to secure
such legislation. The attitude of the
president has given labor much en-
couragement, and We entertain the
hope that the honest men in the last
legislature who voted against this bill
and who may be returned to the next
legislature will come to our belief.
Political Programme.
'1n the carrying out Of it's political
legislative program the state feder-
alton has already been assured Of the
cooperation and support of railway
labor organizations within the state.
We feel that If labor had more repre-
sentatives in legislative halls who
knew the wants Of labor we would
soon get some remedial relief in that
direction.
III. w. Libby, representative at the
last session from Winona county and
connected with the labor organizations
of the state, was almost the only use
full member we had at the last session
and he did excellent service for the
cause Of labor. He enjoys the conf
dence and respect Of the leaders of
both political parties and organized
labor throughout the state is glad TO
recognize him as a creditable repre-
sentative.
THE economic feature of the con-
vention will be to take steps to resist
the operations of those associations of
|
state and country to destroy the
trades union. We do not expect any
great growth in the labor movement
during the year, as such rapid strides
were made during the last ! year Of
prosperity that we shall be obliged to
wait and flll out like growing boy.
We may also experience several re-
verses, none of which, however, can
result In permanent defeat The legal
right of labor to organize having been
sustained the fight now is .>an ethical
fight and our success will be assured
when we shall have convinced society
that we are serving society well.":
Mr.. McEwen has been secretary
treasurer of the Minnesota Federation
Of Labor for the past Is years, and
filled that position when the federation
last met in Winona ten years ago.
That was the first time the convention
sessions were not held on 4 Sunday.
! The change was made that year to a
Saturday session. AT that meeting
provision was made for astwo days
i