The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-06-17
RAILROAD BR0THERH0 GOD B MEN -
/ / FRIENDLY TO FRANK B. KELLOGG
Senatorial Candidate Prevented Wage Rsctpn 1est
Western, and Otherwise Rendered Good Service to
$50 Railroad Men Leaders Recommended Him -"
!: ~>~~.->. =. Supreme Court. ' IS - ,~'-: -'-
Editor Of The Labor World:

Editor Of The Labor World:
Believing in your sense Of fairness
and noting that you are giving pub
licity to Senator C1app's labor record,
may I not ask you to print my testt-
mony as to some good work Frank b.
Kellogg once performed for the rail-
road employees. =
That Frank B. Kellokf. now con-
spicuous in the public eye because Of
T his candidacy for the republican NOM
ination for United States senator, was
one time seriously considered for the
supreme bench Of tho United States Is
not generally known.
That organized labor was RESPONSE
Bile for the movement in his behalf
may possibly be surprise to some,
yet such Is the case, and there are
records both at Washington and in
possession of several well-known
labor organizations to bear out the
statement. Geographical difficulties
alone prevent realization.
The story Of how this well-known
attorney all but became attached to
the highest court in the land, and how
organised labor lent its best efforts in
his behalf, is one Of human interest.
It may sound commonplace in the
telling. but 1t is Of interest just the
same, and If nothing else, .forcibly
illustrates the point that. labor is not
always ungrateful. At any rate it
was most gracious in Mr.: Kellogg's
case and the memory OF it all still
remains. ...:.:..
Born to toll himself, spending his
youth at the arduous tasks Of. the
farm, making his own way almost
from his youth. UP and securing: his
education by dint of sacrifice and
economy, Mr.. Kellogg knew the life
Of the man who tolls. knew how a
dallor made it's way into the pocket Of
labor" and when the opportunity Of
fered he showed himself a. friend Of
the man whose struggles were similar
to those which he had undergone in
reaching the position In life that he
had attained. Organized labor learned
OF: his friendship in 4 peculiar way,
and although he had not been in a
position to demonstrate his fealty to
the man in the overalls, and had not
come in contact with them except In a
casual way, his heart and mind still
chung to the cause ana only opportun-
ity was necessary to throw the light
upon his devotion.
Back in 1903 the Great western
railroad was placed in the hands Of a
receiver. It's moving spirit was A. b.
Stickney, still a venerable and vener-
ated citizen Of st. Paul. AS head Of
the line he had been recognized "a
friendly to the men who toiled with
their hands,, but owing to the finan-
:cial and business conditions, and es-
pecial1y the cramped financial con-
dition Of the line, he had been unable
to demonstrate his friendship;
It was following a period Of strin-
gency and business depre (ssion that
the receivership came: The panic Of
the fall Of 1907: had practically par
alyzed business. Wall street was wild
and the feverish excitement of that
bourse had spread it's evil to all parts
Of the land and to all avenues Of
trade: Even small business men were
anxious and theabig banking scenters
were unable to sleep. In many of the
larger cities the clearing houses were
issuing certificates in place of cur
rency, factories were closing or run
ming on short time. and the country
was in grave concern over the condi-
ton that prevailed. "
AS is usually the case the first to
feel the pinch were the laboring men.
Retrenchment was general and it be-
gan with the cutting Of payrolls, the
lowering Of wages and the laying off
Cot men. It was thus with the Great
Western railroad when the receivers
took charge: go!
Frank 3. Kelloee Of ST: Paul. was
general counsel for the Great West
ern when the order for retrenchment
came from the receivers Mr.. Stick
11ey picked him UP when he. was a
struggling attorney down in Olmstead
county, to take charge OF the legal
end Of his growing properties. He was
a keen judge Of the stuff that is In
man, and right here labor was to be
the beneficiary Of his insight. The
period in question was q crisis. not
only in the case Of the employees OF
the Great Western, but It portended
disaster also to- the workmen of prob
ably every other railroad in the coun-
try. It simply meant that if a cut
was permitted in wages on the Great
Western that q similar retrenchment
would spread to the. other roads of
the country: and. a vast and costly
strike would follow The leaders OF
organized railroad labor were. natur-
ally worried.
AS retrenchment in biz. business
usually begins with the reductions Of
wages of( the workmen. SO it was in
the case of the Great Western. The
cut directed by the directors was most
sweeping and included a schedule of
rules as to time that affected every
class Of employment on the road.
Agreements In effect were disregard
ed, and the several lines OF organ
ICED labor represented. which in
Guided the trainn1en, engtnemen and
switchmen. were practically told that
it was either acceptance or the loss
OF their Jobs: That arbitration would
avail little was intimated by the re-
ceivers. F.. .
Mr.. Kellogg was in California at the
k9~s.> = M. uraa Nth o,,t lrnoxulaAo4 ~