The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-07-16


ests that have neither the schools nor
public interest.
Has Good Record.
Mr. Mcknight showed the quality
of public service he is capable of rem
dering when he was an alderman
from the old First ward: His record
in the city council is an open book. Il
is great record that any good man
would enjoy to make. He was whole
hearted in his service to the public
No selfish interest was able to use
him at any time.
Born in Scotland, he came to the
United States early in life, locating
first in the southwestern portion of
Minnesota. He attended the Mime
sofa and Chicago universities and
later the Ann Arbor law school, grad
uating in 1904. In the following year
he came to Duluth to engage in the
practice of law. From the outset OF
his residence here he has taken an ac-
tive interest In public questions, and
always on the side of the people.
Went to France.
During the war Mr.. Mcknight al
though past the age limit, made sew.
eral ate mpts to get into the service.
He finally was chosen for overseas
service in the Y. M. C. A., and re-
manned in France for year after the
armistice was signed.
He stands for the public schools
He would have them conducted in the
sole interest Of the people. No book
trust, no building trust, no material
combine and no labor-hating orsani-
zation such as the Citizens Alliance
can control him if he is elected by the
voters next Saturday.
The present school board needs a
shaking up. 1T is a closed .organiza-
ton. It's, important work is done in
the dark behind closed doors by COM
mittees, cliques and factions, with
only the select on the inside.
Star Chamber Tactics.
AS an instance: The Labor World
last week related how two members
of a committee voted to reduce the
wages of the painters Employed by
the board. The third member of the
committee, one who is friendly to. la
Dor and who believes the public
should be a model employer, was not
consulted about the matter, nor was
he given a chance to voice his protest.
Indeed the other members of the
board, seven of them, had nothing to
say about the proposition. Directors
Clough and knight, both depending on
the Minnesota Steel company for their
i1h nd
as an employe, decided the question
and the wages Of painters were or
dered reduced.
Facts Are Worse.
The Labor World got the facts
twisted last week. The story was true.
but it was not told exactly as it hap
pened. We. stated that Director Coole
was late in attending the meeting Of
the committee on buildings and
grounds and Directors Clough and
| knight voted to reduce the wages of
painters before he arrived. That was
not the case. Director Coole was
there. but Directors Clough and
knight walked from the committee
tually decided to reduce the painters.
They said nothing to Coole about 1t
and he knew nothing of their decision
until later, advised by the. business
agent Of the Painters a3nion.
Play Personal Politics.
That is characteristic Of the inside
proceedings of the Board of Educa-
ton. Here is another instance: Last
| Friday evening the committee en-
buildings and grounds decided to
consider the bids received for paint
ing the schools under contract at, a
special meeting Of the board to be
held Wednesday, July 49,.
Directors Coleman and knight in
structed Clark Bronson not to call the
meeting and it was not called, al
though Director Cooles knew nothing
Of the action Of the other two men,
bers until Wednesday afternoon. He
had supposed the meeting was to be
held according to schedule. Having
received no notice, he called on the
clerk for an explanation and was in
formed that Directors Coleman and
Knight instructed him to put off the
special meeting. There will be none
held now until Saturday evening
when the election returns will be re-
ceived. There was politics in such ac-
ton. ~.
i Needs Democracy.
The two instances above cited In
dicate that what the school board
i needs most OF anything IS the intro
duction of democracy ii the admins
trations Of its tfairs. s That is one soi
(Coptjaped on Da9e@ % -