The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-12-28


Minneapolis is Of the same type as
Senator George H. Sullivan of Still
water, who was defeated by the
voters at the November election.
Fowler is not so able as Sullivan He
hasn't his charming personality or
his tact for leadership, but he is
equally as dangerous. He, too, is a
lawyer, and. he numbers among his
clients the big lumber companies
and the casualty insurance COM
panies Of Minneapolis. He will fight
for these interests in the senate as
valiantly as IF he were pleading
their cases in court.
When MIR. Fowler was member
Of the House some years ago he de-
voted considerable portion of his
time and energies in protecting the
interests of the stock insurance COM
panies at the expense of injured
workingmen Of the state. He did it
adroitly and cunningly, but with a
vengeance, and at time when few
derstood the motive behind his
suouf OppoSftAon ~ tHeH Ae6lsld-
ton.
1t Was Revealed.
One day it was revealed. The
judiciary committee Of the 1911 SEN
late was conducting a hearing on a
proposed amendment to the state
constitution authorizing the state to
create fund by levying an annual
tax on pay rolls, to be paid by en-
ployers, the proceeds therefrom to
be used to compensate injured la
borers. The proposition was OPP
posed by the insurance companies
and by large number of employ
ers who had not up to then appre-
ciated the load they were carrying
by paying the profits and the cost
of the maintenance of insurance
companies together with claims to
injured workingmen. they believed
the insurance company was their
friend, although it's friendship came
high.
In any event the insurance repre-
sentatives and a number of employ
ers attended the hearing above re-
ferred to-. They were representa- by
Judge. Kerr, we'll known Mime
apolis lawyer. He made the usual
plea against such propositions, hold
ing that it was paternalism and had
no place under our system of gov
eminent. The judiciary committee
recommended the bill for passage,
but it was killed in the senate.
Pleads. For Labor.
A few days after the senate COM
mittee hearing, member of the
addressed the speaker substantially
! as follows: II am a. Republican.
This house is Republican. The Re-
publican party is the friend o. labor.
The legislature will adjourn in a few
days, and up to this time no bill has
been passed in the interest of labor,
although there are several now on
the calender recommended for pas
sage by the labor committee. So,
therefore, Mr.. Speaker, I move you
that at next Wednesday morning ats
| o'clock a special order be made of
labor bills, and particularly of the
Workingmen' Corporation bill"
The member took his seat midst
great applause and the motion was
promptly seconded by dozen men,
bers.
Then quiet came over the as
J semblage and there arose from the
! opposite side of the chamber a
! member who had not taken an. ac-
tive part in the session up to that
time. In droling voice he began:
Mr.. Speaker. I too am Repub-
! lican. The Republican party, more
! than anything else, is the friend of
the farmer. The farmers lave not
received square deal from the
legislature. Their bill providing for
the destruction of grasshoppers, in
PRODUCED on the first day of the
session, still lies dormant in the
committee. The farmers demand
justice. 1 move you that. on Wednes-
day morning next at $3.50 o'clock a
special order be made of farmers
bills"
Then there was more quiet. The
( farmers in the legislature pricked up
their ears and looked suspiciously at
the labor friend; who had gained
their applause a moment before, and
when the vote was taken, down went
! labor legislation for the balance Of
the session. Who vas this last mem
Der who spoke 80 synpathetically OF
the farmers? Was, ,he farmer or
q friend Of the farmer Labor msn
y Nhp. -, { ! d T. ], ! tal