The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-11-02
RINGDAI, EBERHART OR COLLINS, WHICH
ONE AND WHY?

more of the triumph of progressive principles than
he does Of the personal success Of candidate for
office will rally to the support of Peter M. Ringdal
for governor on Tuesday next.
MIR. Ringdal is the only progressive candidate
who stands a chance of being elected. His nearest
opponent will be Governor Eberhart, typical stand
patter who is going up and down the state declar-
ing that he is making the fight for reelection
Republican and advocating the cause of President
Taft the chief standard bearer Of the reactionary
forces.
The progressive voter who intends to support
Governor Eberhart election day will be but rem
during assistance to that group Of machine poll
ticians, with whom Governor Eberhart is surround
ed, whose chief interest in the game just now is to
drive nails in the coffin of progressive principles
The election of Eberhart will mean the postpone
ment of the Initiative, the Referendum and the Re-
call for two years. Every measure calculated
to place the railroads of this state under strcter
government control will be discouraged. Cold water
will be cast upon every species of legislation de-
signed to curb the power Of the special interests
The progressive legislation enacted by the last egis
lature passed not with Governor Eberhart' as
sistance, but in spite of his secret opposition.
His chief spokesman on the stump in this
paign is Senator G. H. Sullivan, who represented
Governor Eberhart's administration on the floor Of
the senate in the last regular and special sessions
Sullivan led the fight against the recall against the
Keefe bill, Democratic measure providing for the
election of United States senators by popular vote
1T BILL In opposing such progressive legislation it
popularity believed he represented the senti-
ments and wishes of Governor Eberhart and his DO
itical machine.
Two years ago Senator La Toilette Of Wiscon-
sin characterized Governor Eberhart of Minnesota
"the errand boy for the Great Northern Rail-
way' His Indifferent attitude governor in the
railroad rate case through which the railroads of
Minnesota increased passengers rates from two to
three cents per mile when the governors of other
c+n4
rights of the people of their respective states would
indicate that Senator La Toilette called the turn on
Governor Eberhart. The greatest calamity that
could befall the progressive movement of Minnesota
would be the election of Governor Eberhart on
Tuesday next.
The Progressive who intends to support P "
Collins on the Bull Moose ticket will but throw his
vote away, and may possibly aid in the election of
Eberhart whose machine is deadly foe to Colonel
Roosevelt and the principles for which he is sup
posed TO stand
Collins is not progressive On tariff legislation
ne is stand-patter. He known to utter
syllable against the reactionary course of the Re-
publican party until President Taft's reciprocity
program was adopted by congress- His party plat
form declares that it favors organized labor Col
Inns is opposed to organized labor. His paper is
published in non-union printing office
His party platform declares for the eight-hour
day. Collins is opposed to the eight-hour day. He
Waged relentless war against the printers union
W11en IL lnauguraIed the elghthOur movement
the printing trades. He has condemned the trade
union movement by voice and pen, and has no claim
upon the working class voters Of this state Pro-
gresslve principles would be sorely shattered if by
any mlshap P. V. Collins should be elected Gov
ernor of Minnesota
Now what about the only true progressive can
dldate who can be elected-P NJ Ringdal? He was
the author of the first substantial labor bills passed
by Minnesota legislature designed to protect the
lives, the limbs the health and the rights of the
worklngmen and women of this state
tie was responsible for the reorganization of the
Minnesota Bureau of Labor. The fight he waged
IN the state senate against the policy of the Bureau
OF Labor under the administration of LeGrand
Powers, who used the office to promote the political
fortunes of the Republican machine by publishing
state documents in it's behalf is part of the militant
reform history of this state.
His action member of the Railroad and
Warehouse commission in compelling the iron ore
carrying railroads of northern Minnesota to ma
terlally reduce freight rates was move to protect
the independent mine owners, and required at the
time more courage than usually displayed by &
public servant.
He wrote into the first political platform If
America a plank demanding direct Legislation
\ through the Initiative and Referendum, and at
time when the great majority of the people regarded
y the principle wild-eyed dream. ..
q Throughout his political career Of more than ,
quarter of century he has consistently and un
\. finchingly stood by the principles that were his
and which foremost in the public thought
5% Such man is Peter NJ. Rngdal We have beer
closely associated with him for more than twent,
Il years. We know him thoroughly In the old knight.
OF Labor days he was prominent and active mem
a