The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-03-26
Human Side of Program Com
pletely Overshadowed Consider
alton of Natural Resource Leak
age, Planned by Original Pro-
moters of Big Trust.
Especial to the Labor Worldly

Especial to the Labor Worldly
big events in the history of Mime
sofa was pulled off last week by
Governor Eberhardt.
No matter what criticism may be
offered. the Congress for the Conser-
walton of Natural Resources was big
success. If it accomplished nothing
else it surely has crystallized and
properly directed public thought In
the matter of conserving wastage in
every line of activity.
The congress originally received it's
impetus from the interests which
have the faculty Of looking only at
the coldly commercial side of things.
Indeed it was like pulling teeth to
get these interests to permit of a
discussion Of any phase of the ques-
lion of conserving human resources.
After much pressure had been
brought to bear by such men as Prof.
John Gray Of the University they
conceded an invitation to invite John
Mitchell to address the convention.
Unfortunately Mr.. Mitchell could not
come, and Edward T. Devine of the
New York Charities was asked to
take his place.
Devtnes Paper Struck Human Chord.
Mr.. Devine was taken sick just as
he was preparing to leave for the
congress, and his paper was read by
Gov. Eberhardt. 1t was the master
piece of the convention.
There was no trimming He hit
right out, not caring where his blows
struck.
The people liked it, too. How they
did applaud. 1t was the most re-
freshing paper Of the meeting, save
that delivered by Clara Bartlett Crane
the day before.
Mrs Crane ought to have been a.
man, and yet she is probably able to
accomplish more for no other reason
than that she is a woman. She
found SO much to talk about in a
brief period Of time.
She charged that the state of Min
nesota was a party to slavery within
this state. She held that the state
had no right to confiscate the earn
1ngs of the prisoners at Saltwater,
and said that they belonged to the de-
pendents of the prisoners. Even the
farmer members of congress who
have profted so much by tie binder
twine plant at the prison applauded
this statement.
Praised Museum of Safety Devices.
Mrs. Crane dWelt upon the number
of accidents in this state, and refer
red eloCuently to the fine exhibit OF
safety devices in the Bureau of La
bor. She thought that the exhibit
ought to have been placed at the con.
gress Cor the use Of the exhibits
would mean the conservation of hu.
man life.
The good woman did not know
that she was treading on tender sol
in her speech. 1t docs not hurt tc
talk about making two blades o
grass grow where but one grew be-
fore. 1t is easy to talk about the con
servation OF forests which long agt
have been depleted by timber thieves
1t is safe to discuss the harncssine
of water falls, and the conservation
of power. But to refer to the rail
roads and other institutions which
are manning and killing 10000 work
iDgmen every year III this state, Whel
5000 Of these deaths are preventable
IS another matter entirely.
In fact, much could be said on thi
point and some mighty startling
statistics could have been produced
statistics which would have showl
in practical way what might b.
done to conserve human life in ou
mines, mills, factories and railroads
However, the commercial spirit be
hind the congress did not intend "tha
this kind Of conservation should b.
discussed. Yet when it did creep in
to the congress it demonstrated tha
the hearts of the people beat RICH
on this question.
Coming Citizens We're Not Ignored
Mrs Starkweather of the Burea
of Labor also captivated her audi
ence in a discussion of the conserva
tion of the child. This, too, demon
strated beyond a doubt that the peo
pie want better protection for tn
men. women and children who cor
stitute the working classes of Mime
sofa. Since the adjournment of tn
convention, at which 100000 word
were spoken, all that 1T talked abou
is the part played by those who dis
cussed the human side Of sonserva
tiOn.
Prof. r. E. Denfeld Of the Dulut
public schools delivered masterl
and scholarly address on "Industris
Education" 1t was by far the bes
delivered on the subject, and he wa
the recipient of much praise an
many congratulations when he ha
concluded.
Forty. Loom Fixers Strike.