Newspaper Page Text
&v $tJ: A Wt^ EVA M'DOXALD VALESlk WRITES FROM WASHINGTON. Siberia On til miked lit Cruelty—Inno cent Men Arretted and Held lu the llnll Pen Without ti Trial— Col. Dick Tvylnff to Shift the Illume From the Military to the Civil Authorities. WASHINGTON, D. C. Lest we forget: The Coeur D' Alene mining investigation is in progress be fore the House Committee on Military Affairs. Out of the mass of testimony presented showing a condition of af fairs that would be a disgrace to Sibe ria, let alone an alleged free country, a few points may be mentioned to give an idea of what was done to citizens of the United States. First—There is ample testimony from men of good reputation and in no way in sympathy with the miners, that Gov. Steunenberg declared martial law and asserted that there was an insurrection when there had been no resistance to civil authority. Every indignity put upon the prisoners of the bull pen is heightened by the fact that they were being tortured by the military author ities who themselves were creating a state of lawlessness and anarchy. Second—United States colored troops under Gen. Merriam and his subordin ates made wholesale arrests bf men in no way* connected wlith the mining trouble. Third—That innocent citizens, ar rested without warrant, charged with no crime, denied counsel and trial, were confined in the bull pen for months. When one listens to the tes timony of these men as to the treat ment they received the wonder is that they can control themselves sufficient ly to speak calmly of such matters. The indignities of the bull pen are simply unprintable. Only a faint sug gestion can be made of the treatment given these men. They were impris oned for months, fed on putrid food, forced to perform loathsome tasks at the point of the bayonet, obliged to sleep on bare planks and at the same time endure the mental torture of knowing that their wives and babies •were probably suffering for food on the outside. All .this would be barbaric if applied to men who were guilty of some crime. These prisoners were innocent. The real perpetrators of the crime of bow ing jup. the Bunker Hill fcnd Sullivan min&" 'I vfcorcg* torture *ot- this in-. quisition drove him insane- In his de lirium he escaped from restraint, ran into a stream of. water, was pursued arid shot by the guards. Mind you, this happened in Idaho last sumtner—not in Spain in the middle ages and the days of the inquisition. But why go further? An editor had his paper confiscated, though he had given only the news and without spe cial criticism of the martial authori ties. He was told he could resume publication if he would uphold the con dition of anarchy brought about by the application of martial law, and it would be made to his financial interest jto do so. A man cannot even seek oportunity for employment in those mines unless he has the "ironclad" permit issued by military authority. Martial law is still in operation in the Coeur D' Alene district. If the authorities want to try a- man and transfer him to the penitentiary the civil courts are in operation. If a man wants to right his grievances the courts are closed. The statements made above are the result of the personal attendance of the writer at hearings of the committee, and conversations with men who have been victims of these outrages. Much more might be said if there were space. Col. Dick, Chairman Hull and their associates seem to be confining their efforts to showing that the facts to which the witnesses testify were the result of civil rather than military con trol. What difference do they supposfe that will make to the people of the country when they hear the facts? It is appar ent on the face of matters that Gov. Steunenberg overstepped his authority. It j| also clear that he received the prompt and cordial support of the United States military authorities. It doesn't matter so much just what con nivance there was between civil aud military authority. The question is, what was behind this? Why were the rights of citizenship ignored? For what purpose were men confined in the bull pen? Why is martial law sitill in force in Idaho? Why are men refused the light to work except under Gen Men-lam's permission? There is no doubt but the whole af fair was a conspiracy on the part of certain interests controlling the mines, to so bulldoze the miners of Idaho that they would never dare again to organ ize a union to assert their right to fair conditions of labor. There is every in dication that the Standard Oil inter ests control these mines—though it is not likely to be brought out in this in vestigation. The reason why this investigation is of such importance is that the Idaho case is simply an example of what may be done elsewhere if the abuses are not properly resented. If a man can be deprived, of his right in Idaho it can be done elsewhere. It trust interests can enlist both civil and lyilitary authorities to do the work of .coercion in Idaho they can do it anywhere that wage workers present the idea of compulsory servitude on the terms dictated by their. trust masters •—lji. McDonald Valesh in Cigarmakeis Journal. Have Everybody Counted. In Minneapolis the citizens are tak ing up the matter of preliminary work which is designed to be. of assistance to the census takers in obtaining a complete list of the residents of that city. TJhis Work will be largely in the direction of locating residents of the city whose duties take them out of town much of the time and who are liable, therefore. tQ be missed by the census taker. It has been suggested that some such action might be taken here with profit to Duluth. Mr. Dare, the supervisor of the census of this district, has said that he would be glad to receive assistance of that kind. In fact, he rather ex pects it. The Machinist*' Strike. CLEVELAND, O., March 27.—Up to the present time 17 concerns in this city have granted the macninists the nine hour cTay with ten hours pay, as demanded. President James O. Con nell, of the Internationdl machinists union will leave Ijere to Chicago to night, to look after the strike there. TUBS. Appointment* for Stevens' Captain D. E. Stevens of the Stevens Towing company has made the follow ing appointments of masters and engi neers for the company's tugs for the season of 190: Tug 'Mystic, captain, Louis La Cha pelle engineer, James Mulch tug Joe Dudley, captain, William Jones engi neer, George Maini tug Minnie Karl, captain, James Kelleher engineer, George Wilson tug Brower, captain, E. J. Dewar engineer, George Jones tug Spirit, captain, Clements Derouche engineer, Louis Eng tug Hope, cap tain, no appointment engineer, Robert Alliston. More About 'Flint Tag Line. Furthern confirmation of the pros pective independent tug line for Du luth the coming season is furnished by certain correspondence. Letters have been receievd from the Maythems of Buffalo by Duluth people, which tend to confirm the plans for an independent tug line here the coming summer. STREET CAR MEN SOMU OF THEM ARB DISSATISFIED WITH THE COMPAXY. They Were Promised an Increase in WUKCM Aiti-r Miie Mouths' Ser vice. bnt tin* ('oiiijinny, an Usual. .^Has Forgalti'ii Ever Making Such I'ledste—TiM-rc Will be Strike -. i. "\i jrSiii flame witb Durfng the stre^l ca,r strike of a few years ago, when the men compromised on a ten per cent, reduction in wages, they were promised that as soon as the receipts amounted to 1600 a day the cut would be restored.' When the receipts reached that figure a committee of the employees waited upon the company's manager and endeavored to secure that which was promised. The company de nied ever making such a promise, and fropi that emanated the dissension that ended with the strike of one year ago. During the last strike, when they se cured a number of men to take the places of the men on strike, they made another promise to the men,'that after they shall have worked for the com pany for a period of nine months, they should receive an increase of wages. The time for the increase, so the men. say, was due in February, and they reasonably expected the promised in crease with their February wages. But their answer was the same: "They did not remember making any such promise." Of course there will not be another strike, but as soon as the season is well opened, all of the old hands are sim ply going to quit, and look for wot^k with more money in it. Th^re is.'no doubt but that they will be successful because one would not have to obtain a very good job to do betterthan they do. But the action of the company only again proves that they soon forget their friends, those who surrendered the friendship of many, their manhood, and almost everything good that they possessed, to help the company out of their peck of trouble. And this is their reward—the same old story of ingrat itude. It is another striking proof that it does not pay in the long run to take ^another's place during a strike. Fav ors of that kind to a company are soon forgotten in their greed for profits. CHHCli OX FRAME STIUC'ITRES. IJuildlnK Inspector to Take Steps to Preventing Raising of Insurance. The erection of--quite a number of small frame buildings, such as sheds and barns within the fire limits, with out the necessary permits, has stirred up the building inspector and efforts will be made to have it discontinued. There are more small frame buildings, veritable fire traps, within the fire limits now than there should be, and an increase of them means more risk and consequently higher insurance rates for the owners of brick buildings and the people occupying them. Tfie ordinance allows repairs to be made on frame buildings already with in the limits, .but some people have taken advantage of it by erecting ad Joining additions of the,: same ma terlal. The inspector should demafeid a strict enforcement of the law. Boers Arc Gathering. -KIMBERLEY, March 28.—Lord Methuen has returned to Xtriiberl^y from the-jBarkly district. The mount ed troops under Jiim are expected to morrow. .They were at Lyaklton when they received the orrder itom Lord Roberts to-return heg% It i8Reported that the Boers have reoccupied 'Gamp bell and that they are in str6ng force near Warrenton, Barkly West and T«u"s»- 'fyj. All Unaffiliated Unions ure Ursred to Affiliate—Federation is Growing Xew Unions are Affiliating—Min neapolis Printers Xoinlnnte Offi cers—St. Paul Trades Assembly Very Close to Political Action. The following circular has been sent out by the S. F. of L. DULUTH, MINN., Mar. 28, 1900. TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF UNAFFILIATED UNIONS: Dear Sirs and Brothers:—We take the liberty of writing to you 'at this time for the purpose of interesting you in the Minnesota State Federation .of Labor. If every labor union in the state would affiliate with the State Federation of Labor, our influence for good would be strengthened. At pres ent we are engaged in a campaign of organization. It is our desire to ex tend the labor movement into" every city and town in the state. We believe that in order to secure any required legislation for the benefit of the wage earners, that they must be fully organ ized. The only method to pursue in the organization of new unions in the'un organized towns of the state, is to send experienced organizers there so that when unions are organized they may be started off right. Many promising unions fail because of errors made in the beginning. In order that this may be done, money is required for we can not expect organizers to give their time for nothing. The dues of the Federation are one cent a month for each member of a union, payable quarterly in advance. If your union has a membership of 100, the dues are but $1.00 per month. It is estimated conservatively ^that there are 20,000 members of labor or ganizations in the state. If every un ion in the state were affiliated, it would mean a revenue of $200 a nv^th. With this we could organize no I^ss than 100 unions a year. There is no question about it. We have the best field in the Northwest. Thousands of the unor ganized workingmen of the state are willing to organize, and are only wait ing -for some one to start them, and they will do the rest. With our limited revenue look what has been done in the past. In 1898, 13 new unions were organized at a cost to the Federation of $73. In 1899 37 new unions were or ganized at a cost of $155.05. This year w|: have sent orgAMseca to Red Wing, w^ere three new Havre been is 'iti the! spring and'summer months, when men are most employed. This season promises/to be one of industrial activity, and if/ever organizations cs»» be formed easily it is now. We hope that every union in the state 'will come to the front and help on the good work. It is a duty that every union owes to those uverganized to do all they can in helping to completely organize the wage earners of the state. The affilia tion fee is just one dollar, accompanied by the first quarters' dues. Remember that the State. Federation claims no su premacy over local unions. The strict est autonomy is allowed each and every union. Its power is not to dic tate but to aid in any and every legit imate manner, any local union when in trouble to seek legislation that any union'desires to bring about, if possi ble, the settlement of any grievance a local union may have. The State Fed erations hold the same relation to the labor movement of the state as the Trades assembly holds to a city. If you recognize the value of a trades as sembly to a city, you will readily ap preciate the State Federation's value to Jlife state. Hoping that you will look upoA our request with- favor and with best wishes for your success we are yours fraternally, MINNESOTA S. F. of L. M. E. Neary, President, Minneapolis. W. E. McEwen, Sec'y. and Treas. Duluth. John B. Swift, of St. Paul, organizer for the State Federation of Labor, ad dressed the Woodworkers' union Wed nesday night and secured a favorable vote on a resolution that the union affiliate with the State Federation. Two applications for membership were received, and by vote the union endors ed the use of the union label. A com mittee of five was appointed to act in conjunction with a similar committee of the Minneapolis union in the per fecting of plans for a big picnic to be held early in June. Another commit tee of- four was appointed to act in conjunction with similar committees of Twin City unions for the big Arling ton hills open meetings. These com mittees-will meet next Sunday at As sembly hall. Several hundred teamsters met at Assembly hall, in St. Paul, Wednesday night ahd completed the organization of a union commenced last Monday night. The names of 188 members are novv on the rolls, and application has been made for a charter. The follow ing officers were elected last night: John Geary, president R. W. Love land, secretary Joseph Bolin, treas urer. Election of officers will be fin ished at a meeting to be held next Wednesday nighU The stonecutters, of Kasota, Minn, branch of journeymen Stonecutters Association of North America, are out l,S,iat,e a"d,13 per day, their former workday being ten hours for the same rate of wages, tU J-" ,• The toarbers of ithe state have'petitioned the postmaster general ,to deny reduced maU rates to D. Moler. who conducts *»a»* Typographical union No. 42, of Min neapolis, nominated the following loffi cers, who will be voted on a mjmth hence: President—J. W. Hays. Vice President—Charles A.Gr wood. Recorder—Frank Boreen. Si Secretary—A. ^Newton. Treasurer—Walt Z. Kline. Auditors—H- S. Holcomb, jAugiist Hartkorn, W. T. Drake. IG. Sergeant-at-Arms—Oliver Skone, W. Deacon, August Hartkorn. Doorkeeper—D. Mahoney, G. A. Lujl wig. I Executive Board—F. N. Gotild, E. CT. Erickson, O. A. Barlien, W. J. Rohr, yjr. H. Ronald, Charles A. •'Greenwood, Charles E. Phelps. "1 Delegates to Trades and Labor Counf cil—A. Henderson, G. A. Ludwig, OliV ver Skone, Charles H. Johnson, E. Ji Shaw. Delegates to Allied Printing Trades Council—W. T. Drakee, E. J. Shaw, O. A. Barlien. The St. Paul Trades Assembly, at its last meeting, got very close to political action when J. E. Dempsey .made a strong speech in favor of various mu nicipal' reforms, demanding party ac tion, and offering a resolution to be presented to the committees of all political parties, with the request that the same be included in the party plat-, form. The proposed reforms are'set forth in the resolution, which is as follows: Resolved, That the granting of all franchises and issues'of bonds for ap propriations of public moneys not pro vided in the statutes shall be referred to .the citizens for their approval or othei'wise at a special election.. We favor the" municipal ownership of all public utilities. We favor the abolition of the contract system on all public work and demand the substitu tion of day labor. We demand an eight hour day and a minimum wage of not less than $1.50 per day.- We demand free text books for' the public schools. There was a heated discussion on the resolution, but on a vote it carried with but few operi dissenters. A com mittee composed of William Brown, M. E. Murray, and J. E. Dempsey was ap pointed with instructions to convey the resolution to the party, managers in time fp£ considerationthe conven tions toa&y atijii', nising work ty?? week. ,1 to and is not dfrfoseft to tfce hours or the wages demanded. In fact all that .the employers aisk Is that there shall be no strikes without.notice, and in case of any dispute that may arise the matter shall be left to arbitration. The arbitration board to consist of three members, one appointed by jthe employers, one by the labor organiza tion, and the third chosen Jy the first two. The organization already, has a membership of a score of the most prominent of the. carpenters, plumbers, plasterers, iron manufacturers, mill men, .stonecutters and cornice manu facturers engaged in business in the city and will hold sessions^semi-month ly. It will be known as the Employers' Council, of St. Paul, and its sole pur pose is' to harmonize any difference which may arise between the employer and the employes by arbitration and prevent trouble in St. Paul §uch as is now injuring the building trades at other points in the country. Ex-President Donaldson, of the St. Paul Trades and Labor assembly, has put-chased an interest in the St. Paul Evening News, and the paper will be published under his management here after. The State Federation of Labor o| Colorado, is taking a referendum vote to decide the question of whether that body shall put a state ticket in the field next year. The Steamfltters* union, of St. Paul, at its last meeting elected and installed its officers for the ensuing term. Jos eph Sweeney was elected president and Samuel Gillbard will act as secretary. The St. Paul fire commissioners have refused to make a rule compelling fire-' men to wear union label uniforms. Woodworkers' union No 80, of St. Paul, known as the Cabinet makers' union, has-affiliated with the State Federation of Labor. It has a mem bership of .78. The Labor World is rn rece'ipt/ this •week of the official proceedings Of the Duluth convention of the State Feder ation of Labor, but recently published. The book is the. best yet published and reflects credit upon that king of hust lers, John B. Swift, of Minneapolis, who has attended to the publication of the proceedings of the last three con ventions. It is well filled with adver tisements and is very neatly compiled. President Neary lias appointed W. L. Small wood, of the Retail Clerks' union, as organizer for Brainerd and vicinity. As Mr. Smallwood is a Known hustler it is expected that good reports will be received from'.Brainerd in the future. The St. Pauiiorganizers are worklhe on the A vood, Strong: Trades Assembly Will jllelp Every Union Man to Secure Hotter Conditions—It Will Orgnii isiV the Unorganised, if Every ljniyu Does Its Duty—Union Means HorV Than Hlirher Wasres. Tul^-wW118 ago we called the atten tion of tfce labor organizations of Du luth to tfce lack of interest exhibited in the Traces Assembly. The last meeting showed a marked increase in\attendance, but still many unions wereV absent, among them some of the most tprominent In the city. A number of iiVquiries have been made among tjhe unions to ascertain the rea son for the marke^ indifference to the Trades Assembly* Sqme of the an swers are indeedr amusing. One former delegate stated A that there was too much politics th^re and that the only persons who attended were aspirants for political offices, while the fact of the matter is, but\three or four dele gates, in the past ffve years, have se cured a political jbosltlon. Another said that there was t\oo much socialism, yet, the most radical socialist in the Assembly has never Vmade a socialist speech there. One mijsht just as well say that there was to.P much Repub licanism or Democracy where. 1 Another excuse was tiyat the assem bly^was run by one or^t^vo individuals i.nd no one else could! say\a word, while he delegates have absoluVe control of the machinery of the, assembly. Now it is abdut time that union\men would discard these petty "baby" Excuses and aljl unite together and helpt make the central labor body what it sliould be. A city without a strong central labor body is a poor union town, even if ev ery branch of workingmen in vthe city was perfectly organized. Nothing can be accomplished except by the concert ed action of all. The assembly will be just ais the unions make it. If -much interest is shown in the work, then we are §oing to 'have a strong body. If but little is shown, then the reverse will be the result. Tlfie union' man who works ten hoi\rs a daty and receives small wages, at th:s late\ day, with one half of his fellofy craftsmen out of the union, and whS sits (supinely by waiting for a growth^ in hiis organization, might as well stay hom^ his time and money wlll^ be spent| in vain. A union is like ,a busi ness, house. It requires mieti of enerl who worTits'-fhirt hours and secures fair wages, and, after having secured them through his union, selfishly pas ses by and says: "Let every one fight his own battles." Too many persons' only conception of. the trade union movement is in short hours and fair wages. Labor should never cease work ing for mor. and more unt'l it receives the full 1'ioducts.o* its toil.' In oid*T for those who are slieaJy work'ng under better conditions to J: 5 ^Union-made. pre serve that which tli*y have secure! they must keep on working and organ izing until every working man is brought up to their Standard. If they do not they will eventually be pulled down to the level of the most miser able worker. The success of the cigarmakers union whose members work but eight hours, under first class conditions, must be attributed to their constant, energetic work. Their delegates never miss a meeting pf the Trades Asembly, and should they do so, the union very Soon chooses new delegates. Again we implore the unions, who are riot represented, to immediately send their full quota of delegates to the next meeting of the Trades Assem bly. If you have elected delegates and they do not attend, then elect men who will attend, so that you will be fully represented. Do this and you will find at the end of this season of promised activity, a thoroughly organized city at the head of the lakes. OFFICERS OF TWO FLEETS. Masters and Engineers of L. 3h & L. S. T. Co. Following are the appointments of masters and engineers for the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Transpor portation company's fleet and the Min nesota Steamship fleet: Lake Michigan and Lake' Superior Transportation company—Str. Peerless, captain, H, B. Page engineer, J. R. Bennett. City of Traverse, captain, John M. Twitchell engineer, Edward Meeh. Jay Gould, captain, Charles Wilson, engineer Henry Chalky Osce ola, captain, Joseph White eiiginefer, James Oaj^. 1 Minnesota Steamship company—Str. Manola, captain, John Nalvestedt en gineer, D. A. Black. Mariska,. captain, A. J. Talbot engineer, David Burns Marubai captain, F.. J. Crowley en gineer, John Dupont. Marina,, captain, M. K. Chamberlain engineer, W. A. •Meddaugh.Matoa, captain, C. H. Cummlngs engineer, W. W. Tyler. Masaba, captain, W. -B. Chilson engi neer, A. L. Wilcox. Maritana, captain, A. P. Chambers .engineer, John Mc Laughlin. Mariposa, captain J. W. Morgan engineer, F. A. Smith.-' Mari copa, captain, IJenry Zealand -engi neer. B. F. McCanna. Mataafa, cap tain, -Frank D. Root ehgineer, Theo dore A. Myersv Mauna Loa, captain, C. S. organisation of a hod carriers union with mut success. JW A. Wajrifit Thai befth issued arrest of Henry Kumberg, iate treas urer^ the 01te^^MetaV workers' union Bassett engineer, George Arnold alietoa, captain, B.- Mallory en gineer, P. J. June. Sch. Malta, cap tain. A W. Burrows. Marcia, R^ptaln^ W. D. Graham* Manda, Captain, Charles Vari Gor4ejr* tMartha, captain« &epry Gegou^,- Magng,*^ptein,Ve. Copelaiid. Maida, captain, A. G. Tap pau. Maia, captain," W.. A. Reed. Manifa, Captain, E. A. Hilit *Madeir«f capfcAin, Johp. HAColrths. MarSala^cao* 206 West Superior Street. 207 West Michigan Street. IF YOU WISH A DELICIOUS, WHOLESOME} PALATABLE Commencing Today Men's ^liits Overcoats $6.00 UNION LABEL"? If so we have a splendid Spring line of Suits, everyone bearing the Union Label, at $8, $10, $12, $13.50. Some handsome patterns at $18, $20 and $25. SPRING OVERCOATS, with Ln ion Label, at $8, $10, $12, $15.. UNION LABEL HATS, at $1, $1.50, $2, $2.50, $3. All the latest Spring blocks REMEMBER, we guarantee each and every article bought of us, so you run no risk whatever, CHAS. W. ERICSON, THE CLOTHIER. 219 WEST SUPERIOR ST. 206 WEST MICHIGAN STREET. WHOLESALE CIGARS. .-strictly Smoke Epicure Cigars. iMtcbS^Duas. We handle over'GO different brands pf tfttion Label Cigmrs?^^ Men and Teams hired for Mlmngr Railroad CodL lumbermen and help on Steamboats Free o\Charge. Oroers in force until canceled. Cheap tickets to any^art of the World.% Railroad Ties Bought and Sold. Agents for Pine Lands. Foreign "fj Languag-es Spoken. 1 Correspondence Solicited, Telephone 740-3. 613 WE8T MICHIGAN STREET, DULUTH, MINN. We have the only first-class, popular price place, in the city. OPEN ALL. NIGHT. HALEY ft CO., Proprietors* CALL ON VAL BLATZ BREWING CO., STAR" Milwaukee Beer. bulutb, Minn. The Park Point Li ne Will run ears regularly to O-AT-KA BEACH. CLr, I Cars Leave Canal at even hour. ~V\re have received our new-stock of light, Spring Cokl^ silk^lin^,! beauties for the money—at $6 to K"We sell for cash* or down, and balance tweekly.- Very easy. You are foolish,to ue going around with that old suit and overcoat.<p></p>qATEtsVtSUPPlsYfeO & r.4 0 I si tSl —f -I3 ^. 1 And- ire have better trradci in rRidy made Suits at from $7to«2S. &