The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-07-28
NOT RESPONSIBLE.
F0RLACK Of LABOR
REPRESENTATION
Senator Jones Refutes Statements
That Wrangling Cost Place on
Safety Commission.
NAMED TWO DULUTH MEN
In Conference With Executive
Suggested Labor Representa-
tive for Safety Board.

In an address before the convention
OF the Minnesota State Federation of
Labor at Faribault last week, Robert
Martin, delegate from the Minneapolis
Switchmen's union, and also a. deputy
state fire marshall, is said to have
made the assertion that a controversy
between Governor Burnquist and Sem
ator Richard Jones was responsible
Tor the failure of the governor to ap-
point a representative of labor on the
Public Safety commission. Vigorous
denial of this charge was made by
Senator Jones when informed of the
incident at the state convention.
The fact that the appointment of
members to the Public Safety COM
mission by the governor was under
consideration at the same time that
the public domain bill sponsored by
the chief executive was before the leg
lslature, and against which Senator
Jones voted, may be construed as hav-
ing something to do with the instiga-
ton Of this attack on the senator, and
the entire affair has the appearance
OF being an attempt to make Jones
the goat" for the failure of Cover
nor Burnquist to give labor the con-
slderation which it justly deserved.
Senator Jones sent the following
communication in regard to the mat
ter to the Labor World:
Explanation BY Jones.
My attention has been called to a
statement alleged to have been made
by Robert Martin, assistant state fire
marshal, and a delegate representing
the Minneapolis Switchmen's union at
a ant
Federation of Labor at Faribauit
IN effect, Mr.. Martins statement
seeks to lay the blame on me for the
failure on the part: Of Governor Burn
on the. Public Safety commission.
During the fight on the public do
main bill in the recent session, Cover
and asked me If I could suggest a
labor union man for the Safety COM
mission. The Safety commission bill
had passed the senate but had not yet
Governor Burnquist had never sought
my advice on any other measure and,
Of course, 1 thought it strange he
SHOULD seek it at this particular time.
him I was not fully acquainted with
the provisions of the bill and hardly
knew what kind Of a man was needed.
However, mentioned E: g. Hall, presi-
William Murnian. president Of the Du-
luth Federated Trades Assembly; W.
ed 1utc h 1 Of the -, sane ;e body and
agent for the Machinists' union, and a
former member Of the Minnesota leg
islature. ~.
1 also stated that I thought neither
non salaried appointment because of
were not financially able to do So.
Governor Burnquist stated he knew
M r nd p Lii q
eVinced special interest in connection
with Mr.. Libby's name. stating that
he knew him as member of the leg
he Wouid give Mr kbSys name es serio1s
consideration. From my talk with the
Mr.. Libby qualified to represent labor
ing said to- the thst the
ment should come from the northern
section of the state: Neither had I
asked. the governor to name anybody.
1t was he who sought a conference
with me on the subject.
Nothing was said between the COVER
nor and myself concerning the public
dssd biz no c 0n knSw h that a he
ter when the fight on the public do
main bill was at it's height: The gov;
ernor W ~ the domain bill and
had voted against it previously and
it was scheduled to come up again In
the senate on the afternoon Of the day
he called me to his office. The status
of the domain bill, and the governors
action In calling me into conference ct
dence. 1 cannot say as to that.
1t can hardly be expected that Mr..
Martin was spokesman for the COVER
nor when he made his charges at the
Faribault convention. # Governor
representative on the Safety commits
sion he would have done 50. 1nforma-
ton comes to me that the governor
was approached by representatives of
the State Federation of Labor and the
Railroad Brotherhoods requesting that
a labor. representative be named as
one of the members Of the commits
sion. but he saw fit to ignore them en-
tirely.
I do not believe that Mr.. Martins
attempt to shift responsibility to
somebody else will clear the chief ex-
ecutive as far as organized labor is
He had the opportunity to
name a labor man If he had the slight:
est desire to do so.
State Senator Fifty eighth District.