The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-07-26
would be taken care Of by tho legal
and legislative bureau.

would be. taken. care Of by the legal
and legislative bureau:
need of such a bureau. and it's value
will soon be manifest to even those
who do not support 1t now. Some may
feel that their organizations can get
help, and in ordinary times perhaps
they can. But the unexpected often
happens and comes upon US suddenly,
ana an{ when y It does we should have avail;
IN labor legislation and labor problems
who has the legal knowledge necessary
to protect the interests Of both the or
bers.
Another. phase Of this work which is
extremely important is the, study and
research necessary for the proper
the labor movement of our state may
find it desirable or important to ask
for. and necessary also for the proper
in The legislative bodies Of the state
| which may affect the working people
! fayorably or unfavorably; 49,.
I earnestly recommend that this
| matter be taken up in all the local
| unions in the state and that the off,
| GERS Of the federation be instructed
to conduct as vigorous campaign as
te the eea f Bua as sad sap
port 1t and aid in building it up to the
! largest and most effective develop
! ment.
! executive council directed me to CO.
! operate with and assist the president
in legislative work as far as the duties
Se my =, office ffs ,. w9ud permit nit in
state Of Ohio one to confer y with s' trade ae
u'nlonists. employers ana public off,,
the workings of the Ohio plan of work.
Of my activties in iesisfative work H
supeet IN an aee e to
! have a law similar to the Ohio law
enacted in this state.
| One Preferential Bill Next Time.
desire to urge upon the convention
the wisdom and Importance of adopt
| ing the recommendation of the execu
tive council made in it's report to the
that t the next of the
state, as such, unite on one essential
measure, namely that of providing for
the state administration of the work
such law to be Of so much import
| ance to the working people of the
state that all other legislation for
labor should be postponed. if .neces-
involved in the measure. engrafted
upon our statutory provisions in this
state.
| Interest In Legislation Grows.
-, Consequent upon the last session Of
the state Legislature e1S2 pieces Of
sent out from my office to the unions
and other recipients interested in our
work. The increased interest in what
our lawmakers would do and activity
working people wished them to was
! gratifying in high degree. The in
| crease was manifested by the unions
| and also by their individual members,
|
| fact that this feature of the work of
the federation is of vital Importance.
| Our Futures High Cali TO Duty.
Fellow Delegates:
New occasions teach new duties:
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still, and onward,
Who would keep abreast of Truth"
The great war for freedom and self
government tore the mask from many
| old hypocrisies and hurled obstruc-
tons out Of the path of many human
izing forces. Among the disclosures
made by the terrible trial by fire and
blood and death IN Europe was it's
revelation to the world. with convinc-
ing clearness, that organized labor's
aims are lofty, its purposes are pure.
it's spirit is sincerely a1truistlc. And
In large measure. the world has con-
coded the right Of the working. people
and larger share in all governmental
activities and in the fruits of their
toll We must maintain and enforce
that right in it's every pxase and fea-
ture, and we must keep ourselves har-
monious and united to do it; The right
has been conceded theoretically and
sentimentally, but we shall have to
fight hard to obtain it's concession
practically in everyday activities. For.
every foot Of ground will be bitterly
contested by our arrogant and we'll
equipped opponents. But we must
submit to no abatement of the conse
quence to which our movement has
won it's way by faithful and heroic
war work, and, standing firmly on our
new height Of vision. we must face the
better era opening for our kind with
clear realization OF It's CLAIMS upon
us, and an unfaltering determination
to meet their requirements to the full
est extent and to move steadily for
ward, with an unbroken front, to the
occupation and development of the
wider domain of usefulness and reward
that is so Hospitality holding out it's
welcoming hands to us.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE w. LAWSON.
Secretary.