The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-07-09
THE WOMEN AT
THE SPOKANE
CONVENTION
Women's Part in the Washington
State Federation of Labor
Convention
(By Jean Stovel)

(By Jean StoveD
The plans to federate the women
unionists and the wives of union
men into an organization looking to
the co-ordiation of the various activi-
ties of clubs, leagues, unions and aux
iliaries on all matters of statewide
interest to women was successfully
accomplished. At a meeting called
for that purpose the first night of
the convention with delegates present
from every quarter of the State, the
idea was thoroughly discussed and
enthusiasticall indorsed and accept
ed by all the delegates present. A
temporary organization was formed,
whose duty it will be to complete
the organization as rapidly as pos
sible. The first work of the officers
will be to complete the selection of
vice presidents to function for the
different districts and the appoint
ment of county chairmen, thus form
ing a channel Of communication be-
tween the organizing board and the
labor women of the State.
Jean Stovel, of Seattle was elected
to fill the position of Temporary
President; Ruby Belnap, of the State
Federation office, Temporary Secre-
tary. The following vice presidents
were also elected: Mrs. Hannah Buck,
Seattle, Sixth District; Mrs. E. W.
Thrall, Centralia, Fourth District;
Miss Renata Schroeder, Everett,
Seventh District.
This is the first organization of
it's kind as far as can be learned
seeking as it's object to bring all
the women interested in labor prob
lens under one executive board with
the ultimate aim of advancing the
cause of labor for both men and
women in the State of Washington.
Department work is already being
outlined and an educational campaign
covering industrial, cooperative and
political needs of the day will be
carried to the diffent parts of the
state as rapidly as possible. One of
the fisst questions that will come up
for decision is the adoption of The
Labor World, printed at Spokane and
now the offiiial organ of the State
Federation, as the official organ of
the Women's Federation. The ac-
ceptance of such an organ would
mean much to the rapid progress and
united activity of the women. 1t is
a boon that many women's organiza-
tions have desired but on account
of heavy financial burden have been
unable to afford The women are
too progressive to miss the oppor-
tunity afforded by the adoption of
this means of extending the work so
there is very little doubt but that
an official organ at the very incep-
ton of this movement is an assured
fact.
Another piece of constructive work
done at the convention was voiced
in its acceptance of the report of the
committee appointed in 1919 to per-
feet an organization of a Miscellane-
Gus Department. The plan for this
division as outlined to the convention
by the temporary Committee on
Organization, consisting of Alice M.
Lord, w. R. Grover, o. A. Dirkes,
who gave faithful service to the pro-
posed plan during the past year, was
presented in the form of the follow
ing recommendation
"That a Miscellaneous Department
be organized in each city, consisting
of an Executive Council composed of
one delegate from each union Cor
counciD to formulate ways and
means to bring about the concerted
action so that all Miscellaneous
Trades throughout the state will in
time have all wage scales and gree
ments expire on the same date.
loI
the Metal Trades and Building
Trades Departments are embraced in
the Miscellaneous Department. The
closer affiliation of all locals included
in this department will mean the
building of a powerful weapon in the
hands of labor in this state. The
organized purchasing and voting
lpower of such federation of COM
mon interests is bound to prove a
mighty lever in the hands of labor
for advancing its cause along any
definite plan of action that may be
accepted for the betterment of the
wage earning men and women in
Washington.
The committee elected by the Mis-
cellaneous Sections to carry on the
work for the year 1920: Jean Stovel,
Secretary; Miss Cora Mckinney
Spokane; Mr.. C. E. Goldthorpe, Ev-
erett.
Another indication of the active
recognition of women in the labor
movement of Washington was shown
in the report of the Credentials Com
mittee-this committee had as its
chairman, Alice M. Lord, and report
ed three women representing Central
Labor Councils: Anna Louise Strong,
Seattle Central Labor Council; Mrs.
M. Mayo, Centralia Labor Council.
Mrs. E. w. Thrall, Centralia, sec
onded the nomination of VIM. Short
for president and Mrs. Ed. Levi,
Seattle, seconded the nomination of
L. w. Buck.
Alice M. Lord, a pioneer in the
labor world of Washington was
elected president of the State Gull
nary Crafts, for the ensuing year.
All of which goes to show that our
labor men are recognizing the worth
and power of its women and are
gradually delegating to them re-
sponsible positions that call for in
tense and active service.
Women Banquetted
The most representative group of
labor women ever gathered in the
State of Washington responded to an
invitation given by the Spokane
women to attend a banquet arranged
for the visiting labor women dele
gates to the Federation convention.
East met west, in fact every portion
of the state was represented.