Montana labor news., 1935-05-23
Lawrence Nelson
Praised by Stinnletz
Candidate For State President
Extolled

B. /. Stinmetz, President Of the Cas-
cade Trades and Labor Council gave
a very interesting address TO the de-
legates at last Tuesdays meeting. He
said there is much current gossip in
relation to the activities OF the Cas-
cade Trades and Labor Council and
many people were attempting to throw
cold water upon the proposition orig
mating in that council, concerning an
establishment OF a State Conference
composed OF delegates from all the
City Central councils in the state Of
Montana. 1t seems that this campaign
is designed TO belittle the movement.
Mr.. Stinmetz stated that he desired
to clear the minds of the labor unions
in relation to the purposes OF this con-
ference, as apparently, some members
or organized labor are under a mis-
apprehension in regard to its aims and
purposes. The particular reason for
the creation OF this state wide confer
ance is to establish closer relations be-
tween the various units composing or
ganized labor in the state of Montana,
especially when it comes to political
choices. Mr.. Stinmetz gave an ex-
ample in which Mr.. Lovelace had been
approved by some of the unions in diff
ferent places OF the state, at the last
general election. Some Of the other
unions had supported James Murray.
Great Falls went on record for James
.O'Conner. All Of these men were run
ming for the same office. Now it was
pointed out that with all OF these men
in the field and each of them having
the support OF part of organized labor,
the labor strength was broken up, This
is how the bosses want us to be. After
the new organization commences fun
%ctioning it will be possible to avoid
making these Implications of endorse
ments and it is expected that in future
political campaigns, the whole Of or
gained labor will get behind one in
dividual for each office. L is evident
that the new organization will provide
closer cooperation between all the CEN
trail councils Of the state. 1t was ex-
planned by Mr.. Stinmetz that, as it is
now, one central council or the unions
in one community do not know what
is going on in other communities con-
corning the choice Of candidates for
political office. This condition tends
to decentralize the political power
which obviously rests in these organi-
cations. This state political confer
ence will eliminate all the confusion and
bring to the knowledge and the at
tention OF all the unions, just who has
been selected and all of organized la
Dor will then be expected to get be-
hind and elect the men or women who
have been selected by the organiza-
tion.
Mr.. Stinmetz then spoke Of Mr..
Lawrence Nelson who is running for
president of the State Federation of
Labor. Mr.. Nelson was described as
a sincere union man and a man with
the strength and determination to
carry through any plan that was set
before him. Mr. Nelson has been very
active in the Labor movement OF Great
Falls, and has held many offices. He
was also chairman OF the Labor Day
committee Of Cascade Council which
put through such a remarkable and
successful demonstration on that day
in 1884. Mr.. Nelson must be given
credit for much of the success of that
undertaking. Mr.. Stinmetz expressed
the opinion that there should be closer
cooperation and more harmony in the
Federation of Labor. In referring again
to the state conference of city coun-
ellis a description was given OF some
of the alleged confusion occurring at
the last session OF the Legislature.
According to the speaker the legisla-
tors representing the labor unions were
not in accord as to the measures, and
in some instances Of the plan they
wanted to put into effect. This con-
dition elected a remark from one OF
the legislators to this effect. Refer
ing to the men representing organized
labor, when you fellows find out
what you want, we will go for it." In
closing his remarks, the President Of
the Cascade Trades and Labor Coun-
Gil said that the unions should deter
mine to put a progressive man at the
head Of the Federation, Mr.. Nelson
combines the ability and resourseful-
ness to make the State office function
in the interests Of all the elements Of
labor under its jurisdiction is the sin
cere belief Of Mr.. Stinmetz.