The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-10-22
PAINTERS union
TAKES FLING At
SENATOR NELSON
declares Grand Old Fossil Lives
In the Past and MisIepresents
Labor in Congress.
The local Painters union does not

The local Painters union does not
propose to permit Knute Nelson's at
tack on union labor in the senate to
20 unchallenged, At the last meet
ing resolutions were adopted reciting
in ringing terms the cause of the pre-
sent industrial strife and unemploy-
ment and charging that Senator Nelson
is out of touch with present-day con-
ditions. The resolutions are as fol-
lows:
Whereas, the Unemployment evil
that affects the city of Duluth at this
time, and threatens a much more ag-
gravated condition when thousands OF
migratory workers drift into this city
after the farm work is finished, is the
logical outcome Of the anti-union cam
paign started last spring.
Centering around the citizens ALL
ance, various employers organizations
began the work Of disrupting the or
ganiZed labor movement last spring.
One of the ways to shut down on all
building activity and new work. With
this policy made effective, the next
step was to declare for wage reduc-
tions wholly out of proportion to the
drop in the cost of living. In many
creased.
Destroyed Industry.
The effect of this hostile movement
was to scare many prospective buyers
from carrying out their Intentions In
those cases where the employers sue
ceeded in cutting wages and increasing
the hours of labor, fewer workers were
employed and the purchasing power
of these was diminished. AS con-
sequence, comparatively little and only
the most urgent work was started.
This is being rapidly brought to an
end and workers are being dropped
off.
The wages earned during the short
and ill-paid work season have only
been enough to pay current expenses
and help to discharge past debts. This
leaves those who have worked with
out any reserve to take care of the
long winter before them. From the
present situation the prospect Of the
Forthcoming winter is dismal and calls
for definite and constructive measures
to avert tragic and dangerous conse-
puences. And
Whereas, United States Senator
Knute Nelson, the standpat mouth
piece Of the profiteers during and
after the war, has seen fit to place the
responsibility for the present unem-
ployment evil upon the organized
labor movement, therefore
Be It Resolved by Painters union,
Resent Vicious Attack.
No. 106, Of the city Of Duluth, that
we resent with all our might the vi
cious and sinister attack made by Sem
ator Nelson upon the labor move
ment of America. We disclaim any
and all responsibility for the present
unemployment situation and place the
entire blame on the masters of in
dustry. We further declare that the
statement of the Minnesota senator
proves conclusive1y that he has not
kept pace with the new ideas, and
therefore IS out of touch with the
needs Of the toiling masses Of the
state Of Minnesota and the nation In
general, and is misrepresenting US
In the congress of the United States
Be It Further Resolved, that this
resolution be spread on our minutes
published in the newspapers of the
city and copies sent to the senators
of this state and the congressman Of
the district.
JOHN E. JENSEN, President.
JOEL LICHTEN, Secretary.
Duluth, Oct. 4.