The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-12-11
Secretary of State Federation.
Of Labor Throw. Light
x IA F-79- - - ~
Upon Object. and Aim. "
LABOR, AUTHOR Of. !:
VALUABLE STATE LAWS
Relates Shortcomings Of Gov
@.ernment in Rectifying
- ,,Ss..
E Alien Conditions r: =

T. y
a
Union labor, unOrganizedl LABOR,
.bnsiness men, professional men ana
general citizenship packed the spac-
ious quarters of the Bemidji assoc1a-
tion in the city building last night,
when George w. Lawson of st. Paul.
secretary Of the Minnesota Fedora
-tion of Labor, spoke, his theme pelne
cautioned "Aims, Hopes and Asp1ra-
tions of the Labor Movement, ana
when he had finished his discourse
many of the uninitiated in labor al
fairs and those who possessed but
superficial ideas of what union labor
really is, left the association quarters
with a thorough knowledge ct what
it really means and recognizing that,
latter all, it carried not the slightest
-semblance of some mysterious buga-
boo. :,
introduced BY Given.
The speaker was introduced by
President Given of the Bemidji Civic
and Commerce association without
.eulogy, he saying that those present
would soon feel acquainted with the
one addressing them, and when Law
son arose and approached the table
he was accorded hearty recognition.
He expressed his. appreciation ssof
the courtesy; extended him .on the
part fsthesassociat tionsfor having In
vited him to the noon day luncheon,
and also for setting at his disposal
its quarters for the meeting In the
seVen1ng - >. rf-a3 ;@' ''-' J" =
II believe the civic association has
done enough to receive the support
~of labor: because it extended the
courtesy to me. There is no line OF
.demarcat tion between American citi-
cents"
Continuing, Mr.. Lawson said:
No Apologies To Make.
There is room for one labor move
ment, that of the American Feuera-
tion of Labor: We have no apologies.
We are the same tday as we were
eighteen years ago-haven't changed
a bit, and just as loyal as in 1918.
During the war, it was current that
the war was for democracy and self
determination, war OF democracy
against autocracy. The hod carrier
and the millionaire fought together
to save America. We were told to
fight for democracy and today labor
is asking to make good. There is
nothing unAmerican about labor"
Touches Steel Strike. -
DEPRESSING to the steel strike, Mr..
Lawson declared that Gary, head of
the steel trust, was the man respon-
sible for the trouble as he imported
thousands of foreigners as cheap la
Dor. Senator Kenyon probe disclosed
that nothing was being done to edu-
cate and make American citizens out
of them.
is asked what he thinks he is wartA
and when he tells he doesn't get it.
The laborer can pay SO for pair of
shoes, and take 'em or leave 'em. COL
lective bargaining is not meeting the
employer on common ground. If you
would go to him to discuss the ques-
tion he would fire you if he wanted
ITO, and tell you it couldn't be done.
So we hire a man to represent us.
They say you can't do it. We are
not trying to run any business, but
are trying to meet employers In fair
ness. d., , e.. -,
IF anyone wants to become a citi-
zen Of this country he ought to have
the opportunity to become an Ameri-
can and the government ought to
educate him and teach him to be an
American in every sense Of the word,
above all else. But he can't get it in
the Pittsburgh steel district, and
believe the, American people are 60
ing to correct this condition..
Coal M Troubles.
Mr.. Lawson then took up the
strike of the coal miners.
"The miners agreed with the gov
ernment not to strike for better
wages during the war, as they had an
agreement that expired in April,
1920. The armistice was signed. The
war was declared at an end. The
soldiers came home as rapidly as
they could be transported. and busi-
ness was resumed as usual.
1.-THE miners had asked for. 60
per cent increase and a week of 80
hours minimum, but, pardon what l
am about to say, the president said
the war was still on. If the war was
Continued on page four)