The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-06-26
NEBRASKA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR
The Omeers.

0V1O'
The OffSeers.
President. viii NJ. Maupin. Lincoln
Seeretary-Treasurer, Frank P. Hart.
South Omaha
First Vice President. Geo. Stevens.
South Omaha
Second Vice President, J. A. Booth,
Fremont
Third Vice President, L. c. Mason.
Alliance
Fourth Vice President. ]. C. Birming-
ham. Beatrice.
Fifth Vice President, Ira A. Duncan.
Hastings
Sergeant,at,arms, George Enoch. Nc
Cook
Delegate A. F. of L. Louis V. Guye.
Omaha
Legislative Committees. d. Smith.
Havelock: James Kotera, South oma-
hs: ]. w. Elliott. Fremont; w. w.
Waters. rairbury, w. c. Allison. Nc
Cook; S. H. Grace. North Platte.
Despite the croakings of the pro-
phets of failure. despite the effort of
frightened partisans to discredit the
honesty of its motive, despite the
failures of the past. Nebraska today
has a State Federation of Labor, fully
organized. equipped with constitu-
ton that is a new Declaration of In
dependence. and equipped to become
a real force in the industrial life of
the commonwealth. There were those
who said that not enough interest
could be aroused To make possible
an organization worthy of the ambi-
tious name of Nebraska State FEEDER
alton OF Labor" but there were also
those who believed that it could be
done. knew that it should be done, and
were willing to make the effort The
effort was made-and the people of
Nebraska are cognizant of the splen-
did success of the effort.
Early in May. Deputy Labor Com
missioner Maupin, acting solely in
the interests of the industrial work
ers and along the lines of what he
conceived to be his duty. issued a
call for a delegate convention for the
purpose of organizing the Nebraska
State Federation of Labor. No or
ganization of producers was barred.
Nothing was said about delegates com
ing from organizations unrecognized
by the American Federation of Labor.
II was to be a delegate convention
made up of delegates selected by or
ganized bodies of workingmen where
ever located within the state-one del
egate from each organization.
When Deputy Labor Commissioner
Maupin called the convention to or
der he was fronted by seyenty-nine
delegates representing as many differ
ent organizations of workers in the
state. They came from all parts OF
the state. one delegate travelling over
three hundred and fifty miles. and at
his own expense. to represent his small
local organization Others travelled
upwards of two hundred and fifty
miles. These instances are cited
merely to show the interest taken in
the great movement.
Naturally enough Douglas county
the great industrial center of the
state. had the most representatives
and Lancaster county next. Dodge
Adams county. Gage county. Box Butte
county. Lincoln county, Otoe county
and other counties containing third
cities" were well represented.
Immediately after calling the con
vention TO order Mr.. Maupin asked the
delegates to rise while Rev. p. NJ. Orr
invoked the divine blessing and the di
vine guidance upon the assembly.
Governor Shallenberger was then in
TO ccuntenance further extension o.
the prison contract system, and hs
was received with tremendous ap
plause. Governor Shallenberger's re
marks were brief and pointed. Ad
mitting that he knew little about in
dustrial life. having always lived up
on the farm. he declared that he knew
and felt the necessity of organization
and his word to the convention was
Organize. organize, organize." HI,
assured them of his sympathy in thei
very effort for the upiift of themselve:
and their fellow workers, and he fel
that just such states as Nebraska
neither altogether agricultural nor in
dustriai was in splendid shape t,
act as the final arbitrator and brin:
about that balance that should exis
between labor and capital. He wishe,
the convention n profitable session an,