The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-09
ASKED
TO COOPERATE
WITH WORKERS
MilhOllan Pleads for Better
Understanding with Unions
at State Convention
TELLS FEDERATION AIMS
Veterans Elect Officers for
Ensuing Year at Final
Session Today

Valley City. N. D., July 9.-m-
American Legionnaires of North Da-
kota were asked to have better
understanding of the Federation Of
Labor and to cooperate with that or
ganization, in an address by Frank
Milhollan, state railway commission
or and president Of the state feder-
alton, before the state Legion con-
vcnton here today.
"There are many of you," Mr.. Mil
hollan told the Legion members, "who
are also members of the federation
Of labor. However, all are not famil
lar with the purposes of our organi-
zation. The generally accepted view
is that labor organization is
formed purely for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning increases in wages and short
cr working hours. This is an err
roneOus impression"
Benefits Arc Told
"Thc fundamental purpose of or
ganized labor, as interpreted by one
outside of our ranks, is to make life
more worth the living for all who
toll. Great benefits come to the unor-
ganized worker through the efforts
of organized labor in the conduct Of
its educational program. BY the very
nature of things we cannot all be
managers of institutions; some must
therefore work for others, and it is
common knowledge that the great
mass Of our citizens are employees
rather than employers.
MANY Of the organizations hav"
made provision for taking care Of
sick and disabled members, who may
go to the national home and recup-
crate or spend their declining years.
All Of this is provided free of charge.
Provision is also made for the proper
training Of apprentices, who are
later examined to determine their
qualifications for membership.
"The whole scheme has for it's OBJ
ject the development of better cit
izenship. We believe that it has been
clearly demonstrated that by the or
trade unions, whereby collective bar
gaining is substituted for individual
contracts, abuse and discrimination
have not only been reduced to a min
mum but the standard of the eff
cheney of the worker has been great
ly increased.
Recent Origin
"You know the labor union is of
comparatively recent origin. Not
many years ago all employees dealt
with their employers as individuals.
Every workman was required to sell
his own services, and in doing so he
usually felt obliged to accept what
ever wages and conditions his en-
ployer was willing to pay. In other
words. the employer usually paid
only what he thought was the market
price of labor, regardless of whether
it was living wage or a mere pit
tance. As industry developed, work
ing conditions, including hours of
labor and unsanitary conditions, be-
came unbearable.
ITO correct such evils, labor or.
ganizations we're formed. and by agi-
tation and organization the standard
of the American worker has been
placed above that of any country of
the world. Recognizing that old age
is certain, and that sickness and ac-
cident may come, it is the contention
of organized labor that it should re-
ceive living wage, sufficient to
provide for intellectual advancement,
and reasonable recreation, as we'll as
providing the actual necessities of
life.
Solicit Cooperation
obviously. l cannot here take the
time to discuss fully the great ben
efits of organized labor. We do, how
ever, solicit your continued, cooper
alton. We hope that the mutually
beneficial relationship of tire Amer
lean Legion with labor may be con-
tinued for future service to one an
other and to the country. We arc
only in the beginning of great un-
folding Of democracy. We cannot
cease our efforts until our hopes are
realized"
Mr.. Milhollan outlined the Cordial
relations" existing between the Le-
gion and the labor group, and asked
that both "distinctively American or
CARNATIONS" function together in
good will and cooperation.
Art Rulen, jamestown, was this
afternoon elected vice commander of
the American Legion, department of
North Dakota. Jack Williams, of
Fargo, present adjutant of the North
Dakota Legion, was reelected to the
same office, and balloting continued
for the other officers, including the
state commander.