The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-12-20
W0Rk|NCmEN'S Pc L|T|CAE. LEAGUE
SC0RES| IN MINI EAPoL|S ELECTION
Labor Organized Fight Against Extension Of Franchise ID Twin
City Rapid Transit Company Based Upon Cost Of Service
League Organizing Branch es in Many Cities in State

~
Progress that few weeks ago vast
surprising now is commonplace.
This is the encouraging report re-
ceived at the last meeting of the ex-
ecutive council of the Minnesota
Working Peoples Nonpartisan Politi-
cal league.
The league is growing beyond the
|. expectations Of those instrumental in
starting it. Reports from every part
, of the state show this. Enthusiasm is
manifested in every industrial dis
trict, not only among union men, but
! among nonunionists and progressives
| in general who see in the new move
ment the means for bringing about
reforms in the administration of gov
| eminent and the enactment Of leg
islative program that will contribute
to the general welfare of everybody.
Practically every labor union in
Minnesota now is affiliated with the
league. Most of the railroad brother
hoods have joined the movement and
those still outside soon will be in, the
delay not being due to lack Of interest
but because members have been un-
able to hold meetings to voice their
approval Of the political undertaking.
In addition hundreds outside union
organizations and large members of
other progressives are enlisting with
the thousands of workers striving for
a new and a. square deal in govern
ment.
Meetings are being held in nearly
every part of Minnesota. Ramsey
county has formed a permanent
branch Of the state organization.
Work in Duluth is progressing in a.
wonderful manner and headquarters
soon will be established here. Hen
nepin county is organized almost COM
pletely. The league had an opportun-
ity to make it's first showing of
strength there last Tuesday in the
vote on the proposed cost Of service
street railway franchise, which was
defeated by $500 votes.
This election offered a practical
demonstration to the people Of Min
nesota of the value Of the league in
carrying forth progressive ideals. The
street railway sought a franchise per-
uniting fare to be fixed that would
allow per cent net return on a
$24,00O,000 valuation of it's Mime
apolls properties.
Mayor J. E. Meyers opposed this on
the ground it was an excessive return
on valuation of several million dol
lars more than the actual value of the
property. Many other forward-look-
ing and fair-minded citizens took the
. same view. Labor saw in it what
amounted to holdup on the part of
the street railway interests. In nearly
every center spirited opposition was
voiced to the franchise proposal, but
there was no organization or means
for uniting this sentiment.
About this time the Hennepin coun-
ty branch of the workers political
league was being formed, and it was
asked by committee of citizens
many of whom had no connections
with organized labor, to take up the
organized fight against the street rail-
ways franchise scheme.
In this way the league was enabled
to render it's first service to the peo-
pie. After carefully studying the sit
uation it was decided that the present
franchise, limiting fares to cents,
provides a reasonable return to the
street railway interests on the real
value of their property and that there
is no necessity for higher fares if only
a square deal is wanted:
The league conducted the campaign
against the franchise on this ground,
and defeated it by $500 majority. 1t
opened headquarters from which
speakers and literature were sent out
At the same time the street railway
company also had its corps of speak
ers in the field and flooded Minneap-
oils with literature urging franchise
changes to permit a higher fare.
Numerous calls are daily being re.
ceived for speakers to explain the po.
litical league movement in variou!
parts of the state. A big meeting was
held last Monday at Hibbing. where
J. F. En1ne of st. Paul and other.
spoke. William Mahoney of St. Paul
state president Of the league, attended
a mass meeting in Albert Lea on tn,
same. A big meeting for an earl,
date is being arranged in Mankato
Secretary George w. Lawson of tn,
State Federation of Labor is swampet
with calls to address meetings OF
work of the political league.
In st. Paul the league is ready
through the Ramsey county branch, t.
take part in the coming city campaign
when mayor. city comptroller. 81:
city councilmen and several mino
officials will be- elected.
About 200 delegates, representa-,
all the labor unions in the city an,