The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13
LABOR LEADERS HOLD
~. SESSION IN ST. PAUL
Continued from Pags /.

= SESSION IN 81. PAUL
Continued nom rage Il. H
them. In conclusion he. recommended
that Mr.. Rouse be paid for the time
and effort he had devoted to the work.
and the recommendation was con-
CURED In by the Council.
The Hatters' strike.
Peter Reagan Of Danbury, Conn,
representative Of the United Hatters Of
North America, was granted the privi-
lege OF the floor and succinctly and
forctbly stated the facts in the case Of
the striking hatters Of the country,
showing the unfairness OF the employ
ers which brought on the difficulty and
forced the workmen to strike. He re-
minded the Council that the homes.
bank accounts and other resources OF
the strikers: and their organizations
were all under attachments by order Of
the courts, and that it costs $4,000 a
week to support the strikers while out
of employment. Mr.. Reagan concluded
with an earnest appeal for financial aid
Tor MS Fellow craftsmen in their pres
emit critical condition. which Involves
in its scope and results the whole labor
movement. The; members were re-
quested by q unanimous vote OF the
Council to lay the facts and necessities
In the case before their several central
and local organizations and urge all to
make contributions for the relief Of
the strikers. The secretary was also
directed to send b circular letter on the
subject to all the organizations affll-
lated With the State Federation Of
Labor.
Liability Liquidation.
Secretary McEwen explained the ac-
ton of the officers and Twin City
members OF the Council with reference
TO Legislation to fix the liability Of
employers Of labor for inquiries sus-
tained by their employees while at
work, and fully detailed the clrcum-
stances and conditions, which had led
them to agree to a postponement of
legislation to the next session of >the
legislature and the appointment OF a
commission to thoroughly investigate
the subject In the meantime In order
that full information could be gath
cred and tabulated as a basis for a
satisfactory system Of compensation
which would be equitable to all the
parties concerned. BY a unanimous
vote the plan suggested was Endorsed
and the action already taken in the
matter was approved. It was however,
ordered that II it should be found I'M
possible to have that plan adopted by
the legislature, the officers and Twin
City members should employ in their
discretion competent legal advisers to
examine the various bills on the sub
ject before the legislature with view
to securing the passage, Of the best
measure possible for the protection of
Yyn ~
jurles they might receive In the line
Of their work:
ARiliation Of Railroad Employees.
1t being deemed good time to ask
the different organizations of railroad
employees to affiliate with the State
Federation OF Labor, the secretary was
directed to invite them all to send fra
terr1al delegates to the Red Wing con-
vention and thus afford an opportunity
for a conference on the subject look
ing to bringing them into closer rela-
tions with the other labor organiza-
tions In the state.
Revision Of the Constltutton.
The matter OF preparing revision
Of the constitution of the State Fed
Grafton OF Labor tor submission to the
a committee consisting OF the, officers
and Twin City members Of the Coun-
ell. The Same committee was also In
structed TO prepare draft 81 q cotisti-
tuition and code Of bylaws for the
government of federal labor unions in
time for submission to the convention.
Overtime In State Work.
In reply to statements that the
workmen employed on the construction
Of the new state prison were obliged
to work ten hours day, State Labor
Commissioner McEwen said that this
was the first he had heard of such a
state of affairs at the present time,
adding that if cases of the kind were
law was strictly enforced, and that it
was the duty Of every union man who
knew OF any to report the same.
State Board Of Arbitration.
The secretary was directed to call
the attention Of Gov. Johnson to the
law creating and giving authority to a
state board Of arbitration and find out
If it was still in force,i there was a
board in existence and what it's duties
and powers were. He was also d.
rected to send letter Of thanks from
the Council to the members of the
judiciary committee Of the house of
representatives who had supported the
initiative and referendum bill intro
adverse report from that committee;
and one also to Representative Camp
bell. chairman Of the house labor COM
mittee, for his earnest efforts in behalf
of satisfactory labor legislation.
Official Organ to BE Distributed.
On motion it was ordered that 500
copies Of the Minnesota Union Advo-
cate containing q report of the pro-
ceedings Of the meeting be distributed
throughout the state in order that the
labor. unions and central bodies might
be informed as to what the Council
had done.
Secretary McEwen Resigns.
Secretary McEwen read number
Of bills against the Council, which
were passed and ordered paid. He also
made statement Of the progress in
the preliminary arrangements for the
entertainment Of the next convention
1T Red WINK He then stated that ha