The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-06-21
Especial Correspondence. }

every department of human activity
and every phase of organized effort
ac,crg men there are epo:h. making
periods fruitful in results Though
and often there are crisiscs which
make the thoughtful among US pause
and reflect, take note of wind and
sky, and give notice Of Frightening
prospects, or, If need be, warning of
approaching danger.
The trade union movement in Min
nesota closes such an epoch
period and confronts such a crisis
with the thirty first convention of the
State Federation of Labor, which is
in session in the city of st. Cloud
as these paragraphs are written.
With the present convention will
end, according to all the signs visible
at this time, II years of consecutive
service by w. e. McEwen in the Of
flee of secretary-treasurer Of the
State Federation, as he has declined
to again be candidate for the posi-
ton; and it brings the delegates and
the unions they represent face to face
with the question as to what may be
the effect Of a change in this import
ant place. The machinery Of the
State Federation has run so smooth
ly and tremendously under the guild
ance Of Mr.. McEwen, and the labor
movement. has been SO progressive
during his SCI vices as secretary.
treasurer, that the thought of his TO-
ing out of the office arrests general
attention and awakens almost uni
versal regret. The labor unions and
all the men prominent in the labor
movement in the state have been so
accustomed to him and his prompt
and vigorous methods, that his abb
sence from the office will seem to
them somewhat like a death in the
family.
But no one doubts the wisdom of
| the convention in choosing a success
| sor to Mr.. McEwen, and the policy
| of the State Federation is so firmly
established that no difference in the
| personnel Of its official staff can seri-
| ously disturb it or halt, even for a
day, its steady and continuous adj
vancement. Mr.. McEwen realizes,
however, that this is a time for a re-
| brief recital of what the state CEN
trail body. has done for organized la
Dor in Minnesota. He made such a
history q part Of his annual report,
and it will be most completely and
satisfa ctorily given in his own words.
In this part of his report Mr.. Nc
| Even said:
| This is my eighteenth report to q
convention of the Minnesota State
Federation of Labor. It is just II
years ago today since I was elected
! an officer of this Federation. During
place in the labor movement. But
| precious few of the delegates to this
convention were in attendance at the
meeting when I was first chosen ar
officer. Many of the old guard have
passed out of the field of union labo,
and are now engaged at other work
in other lines of activity. Some have
passed over the Great Divide and only
a few remain as workers in the great
army Of organized labor.
lnasmuch as most Of the delegates
to this convention have come into the
movement in recent years, and as this
is probably my list report to a con
Grafton Of Labor, you will pardon ms
for giving you brief history of the
State Federation of Labor covering the
past IS years. -,
From it's organization in 1890 to the
fifteenth convention held in st. Cloud
In June, 1897. the meetings of the Fed
Grafton were held semi-annually. Al
this convention the constitution was
changed; officers were clothed with
tended. Annual meetings were sub.
stituted for semi-annual meetings.
During. the last Is years we have
W.T. ao at ths 1885, e led IN wns
1901, Mankato; 1902, Rochester; 1908
Brainerd:: 1905, Saltwater; 1907, st
Cloud; 1908, Winona. 1909, Red Wing
1912. Brainerd; and in 1918 we meet
for the third time in Is years in this
beautiful and hospitable city of St
Cloud.
No records Of the Federation, from
1895, are in existence, so far as
have been able to learn. When I be-
came an officer Of the Federation, my
predecessor simply turned over to me
vention. 7 never came into possession
OF any other documents.
However, assure YOU that the roc.
ord from June Is, 1896 until now is
| complete. Every letter I have. re-
ceived and answered, the proceedings
of all the conventions, receipt stubs
and vouchers Of every dollar received
and expended, are kept intact and are
preserved in the archives Of the Fed
GRAFTON for historic as we'll as for 9TH
er purposes
The State Federation of Labor is not
the first state organization represent
ing the working classes formed in
Minnesota. It was but the outgrowth
OF the state assembly Of the knights
Of Labor which was organized some
time during the early eighties The
records Of this organization are some
where In existence in this state. -"
l recall some years ago, standing on
a sidewalk in Minneapolis, reviewing
Labor Day parade, and in converse
ton with the. late John McGaughey OF
Minneapolis at one time state master
workman Of the knights Of Labor, who
informed me that he had at his nome
the records and minutes Of the state
assembly of the Knights Of Labor and
offered to present them to the state
Federation Of labor to be preserved in
ITS archives. He died few weeks
later, and since then have been un-
able to obtain possession of them. :.
Before the, veterans Of the early Ia