The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-06-19

ize, Federate and Fraternize." and we
should not rest until the last union IL
registered on our. rost er. s.8 81
Railroad Labor Organizations.
< During the session Of the legisla-s
ture your officers were In close touch
with the Legislative committees. OF the
several Railroad Labor organizations.
Our claims for legislation We're OF
such a nature that we were able to
cooperate with each other on meas
ures pending before the legislature.
s.. Matter Of Affiliations. ,.,*.s,-
During the course OF our associa-a
ton your officers discussed with the
railroad representatives the matter or
affiliation with the Minnesota state
Federation Of Labor. 1t has long beea
our hope that a closer alliance might
be perfected between the trade or
carnations and the railroad labor
unions. We found after considerable
discussion that there were: constitu-
tional objections to certain of the
railroad organizations becoming d.
rectly affiliated with us. and 80 we
attempted to arrive at a plan that
would bring us closer together with
out violating any constitutional pro-
Fault Of Dissenslon.
We all recognize that we have been
handicapped in Minnesota in our eff
forts to secure legislation for the
benefit Of labor, because Of our fail
ure to work together. In such states
as Texas joint Legislative committees
have been organized. and down there
they seem to secure the passage pf the
laws they want. So we agreed that
e..
committee in Minnesota. Accordingly
7 sent a copy Of the call for this. con-
vention to eve:y railroad Organization
in this state. Accompanying the call
was a letter signed by President How
ley and your Secretary-Treasurer In
viting the railroad unions to send
fraternal delegates to this convention
for the purpose OF discussinE Z plan
for the organization Of joint leg
islative committee. Pursuant to this
invitation there are several fraternal
delegates at this meeting. and / would
heartily recommend that the conven-
tion do all within its power to encour-
age the bringing together Of the two
great industrial forces In this state.
Nothing but good can come Of it and
L am sure every working man in Min
nesota will be the beneficiary Of such
an alliance.
Organization work.
On account Of the state Of trade
during the past year the field for Or
ganization. work presented anything
but an encouraging outlook We con-
centrated our efforts in an attempt to
save existing organizations. Presi-
dent Howley devoted most of his time
to visiting unions In distress, and very
often I assisted him, to the end that
but very few unions surrendered their
charters during the past year. The
vice presidents also contributed much
In their respective districts to the
work of organization. Due mention
ought to be made of the organization
OF the Carpenters union at Grand Ma
rails by Vice President. Skrove, who did
the work while following his usual
vocation there: Vice Presidents Maid
en- and Rich Of st. Paul are entitled
to much credit for the work they did
in strengthening the Federation in
that city. In fact all of the officers
made much personal sacrifice, and did
their work we'll, and we come to this
Federation fully satisfied that MOTH
ing was left undone. ~ -
Financial Support. =: .;
We expected some financial support
from the American Federation of La
Dor, during the year. but on account
~ cAS nctAvtly OF tne .feQeTatlOn IN
NATIONAL, politics.. and its, contests in
the courts we were unable to secure
the assistance We had hoped for.
However, President Gompers~ as
sures us that we may expect some ma
terial assistance: during the" coming
year. An analysis. Of the statistical
report rendered herewith will show
that there is much to do to strength
en- the labor movement in this state.
First, We should have every existing
union affiliated with us: This year we
should exert every effort to extend
the work of organization to every
city in Minnesota. Sometimes I think
we are permitting the day of grace
to pass, when we ought to be provid-
ing system for the complete organ
izat1on Of the working classes OF Min
nesota. Much difficulty presents it,
self In carrying out the work TN the
smaller cities, because there, are an
insufficient number OF members of
one. craft to form a. local union, but
we are trying to meet this stu alton
by the formation OF Federal Labor
Unions, and constitution for their
guidance Is presented to this conven-
tion for your ratification with the
hope that plan may be laid down,
which will form the nucleus Of local
trade unions in time to. come.
Minnesota is fast developing az a
manufacturing state and It ought to
be our purpose to keep pace with ita
growth. Whenever industry develops
! the labor movement should, expand
with it. In this kind Of work we
are not only building for ourselves
but for posterity. 80.
We now have an organization fund
which IN permitting us to do the work
intended. and I would recommend that
every effort be exerted during the
| coming year to extend tho work OF
| organization to very nook and corner
Of the state Of Minnesota.
Minnesota CHILD Labor Conmlttee,s
In discussing tho Attainments Of
trades unions W. often declare We
have no apologies to offer. and that
our work IL proving our usefulness.
True, we are demonstrating 1t to our
| selves and to our members We, wno
! belong to the union know how it af-
fects wages, hours Of labor and work
Ing condition., But does aociety, as a
| whole know this? Do others see US IA
! We see ourselysn7 49,. v.r, -.
Rev. s. q. Smith tho noted divine of
st. Paul, In his book on The labor
Question aptly advises unions that in
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