The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-12-05
Appointment of w. f.. McEwen
as Labor Commissioner Hailed
With Satisfaction,
ORGANIZED LABOR Is
HAPPY OVER SELECTION
Appointee Conceded to be Spec
tally Well Equipped for Du-
ties of the Office.

The Labor Review Of Minneapolis,
the only publication in Minnesota
owned and controlled by organized la
Dor, and one of the ablest edited per
iodicals published in the northwest,
comments editorially upon Governor
Johnson's appointment as follows:
"The Labor commissionership."
"Stnce the governor was convinced
that change in the office Of labor
commissioner was desirable all or
ganized labor in the state halls with
satisfaction the appointment to the
position Of our capable and efficient
secretary Of the State Federation, Mr..
w. E. McEwen of Duluth, at present
state oil inspector.
"Al recognize that Mr.. McEwen is
making a sacrifice in renouncing his
present office to assume the more on
erous and exacting duties Of the labor
commissionership, particularly when
there is no additional compensation
attached to the latter position, and he
accepts the office solely because he
considers it his duty so to do in the
interest of organized labor in the state,
to which he recognizes he owes much.
Reason for Change
"The failure to re-appoint Mr.. Will
liams, we understand, was solely due
to the desire Of the governor to pro-
mote harmony between the executive
branch of the state government and
the heads of departments in order that
through cooperation the greater bene-
fit might result. It is a well-known
fact that the relations between Mr..
Williams and the executive depart
ments have been strained for a long
time. but it is not so generally known
that in September, 1907, Governor
Johnson insisted on Mr.. McEwen TAX
ing the position, but the latter gen
tleman pleaded with the governor to
make no change, and Mr.. Williams
was retained at that time solely at
the request Of MI. McEwen and Presi-
dent Hawley of the Skate Federation.
Harmony in Departments. =,
''Whatever may be the cause of the
controversy between the executive
department and Mr. Williams, one fact
remains, that the governor Is entitled
to surround himself in heads Of de-
partments with, those who are in har-
monious touch with him, and organ
ized labor, in the failure to appoint
Mr.. Williams can find no cause for
complaint, particularly when the gov
ernor places at the head of the labor
department a gentleman so finely
equipped as is Mr.. McEwen in ability,
in knowledge of labor's needs and de-
sires, in efficiency and general desir-
ability. Organized labor expects much
from the labor department of the state.
It Is the only protective wall we have
against illegal assaults Of the unscrup-
ulous among employers. The depart
ment to give the results we desire,
must not only be harmoniously con-
duct within itself, but must be
in strict and constant accord
not only with the toilers, but
with every other branch of the
state service. Mr.. McEwens appoint
ment, we understand, is made primar-
lily with this object in view, and Mr.
Williams retires solely that this de-
sirable result can be obtained, the ef-
flciency Of both gentlemen not at all
being taken into question, but being
generally admitted.