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.—i-V'j ONLY LABOR PAPER IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA s* VOL 20. Ho. 3. E IK HALL'S REPORT E. G. Hall Gives Annual Address Before 1 legates to Minnesota State Federation Convention. "in sp'tia of the many obstacles with "which we have had to contend, much has been done which will result in per manent advancement," said Mr. Hall in beginning: his annuel address. "It is my belief that this advancement will continue through coming years regard less of temporary setbacks or discour agement. Nothing can permanently re tard the growth of the unions, and the seeds of poison that are scattered broadcast by opponents of labor unions in their efforts to create discontent and discord in our ranks, or kill us alto gether, have failed. "The American labor movement h^s nothing to be ashamed of. Its history and accomplishments speak for it. Since the formation of the first labol organization on the American contin ent down to tlie present day, the ef forts of the organized toilers have been for the uplifting of the entire human race. It is a matter of regret that more do not appreciate the real benefits to be derived as a result of member ship in a labor union. These are bet ter days for every workman better homes are the rule: conditions in work shop, mill and mine are vastly better than ever before, and the credit for this general condition may truthfully be credited to the accomplishments of the labor unions. While the organizations In Minnesota liave grown" and pros pered in the last year, there are still within our jurisdiction many workers who are eligible to membership in their respective unions. To this group of workers our attention should be di rected. for in their organization we may gain more strength. Speaks for Child Labor, Organized labor is to Te com mended for its unceasing interest hi the children of the nation. We are in debted to the pioneers of our move ment who made it possible for the children of today to enjoy the free school, and who saw the wisdom of compulsory education as a safeguard for the children, countless thousands of whom in times past have been forced to toil in factory, mill and mine when they should have been in school. The organized workingmen and women or Minnesota have been solidly behind every movement for the benefit of the children. Free schools, free textbooks, playgrounds and other things which have a tendency to broaden the mind and develop the intellect of the young American, are advocated and supported bv the unions. Tlie woman in industry is becoming a serious problem in the industrial life of the nation. Little attention is given her except by those for whom she is being exploited, and by those who sympathize with her—the organ ized workers. Industrial life is lower ing the moral and physical standard of the working girl in 'Minnesota. It needs tlie attention of the Minnesota State Federation of Labor this year moir than ever before. The future mo thers must be cared for either through organization or legislation, and I trust some plan to this end may be devised by this body.. I jIiikIm George B. Howler. On February fi of this year news of the sudden death of George B. Howley proved a shock to the union members of the state. Mr. Howley presided over the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth conventions. He was an aggressive, fearless leader, a man of sterling qual ities. was honored by the American Federation of Labor and held high of fices in his own union. His services to the general labor movement was of great value, and as an organizer he performed valiant service in behalf of the unions. Organization Work Organization work the last year lias accomplished more than was expected. Tlie Federation done much in the way of reviving weak unions and organizing new ones. Union membership in Min nesota has greatly increased over last year, and locals have been placed in cities where this branch of union en deavor has never succeeded before. In addition to numerous committee meetings. attended 335 regular and special meetings of unions in various parts of the state, including all meet ings of the Executive Council. North Dakota. At the last convention. Vice Presi dent Charles Fraser reported that steps were being taken to form a State Fed eration of Labor for North Dakota. In Forks, a federation was formed which promises to become a factor in ad vancing the interests of unions in all directions. Cities Visited. During the year work has been done in the following places: St. Cloud, Brainerd. Mankato. St. Peter, Waseca, Red Wing. Winona, Crookston, St. Paul, Minneapolis. St illwater and Du luth. It is regretted that funds would not allow the extension of organization work to some of the other towns where there is a chance for to organize unions. Fanners' Unions. Resolutions were adopted at our last convention instructing your officers to communicate with all farmers' unions (Continued on Page 3.) bradyTnattendance AT LAB0RC0NVENT10N Popular Organizer Calls At Brain erd On His Way To Winnipeg. B. G. Brady, general organizer for the International Typographical union in this state and. those which adjoin it, and for Winnipeg, Canada, and the territory tributary to that city, passed two or three days in Brainerd this week attending the convention of the State Federation of Labor. From the convention Mr. Brady went to Winnipeg on official busi- AUCTIONEER MAYOR OF INDIANAPOLIS LEW SHANKS. Prominent in the Hoosier delega tion at the Republican National con vention this week is Lew Shanks the auctioneer mayor of Indianapolis. Mayor Shanks came into national prominence by attempting to break the "Commission Row" combine as a seller of potatoes at cut prices. Report Was Most Satisfactory to the Delegates to Brainerd Convention. The report of the executive com mittee is very lengthy and lack of space makes it impossible to print it in full. The committee accomplished a great deal during the year, the report being more than satisfactory to the delegates to the convention. Each member of the committee has worked hard to further the interests of union labor and the reports of the officers submlted at the various meet ings showed that every man had been on the job early and late. A very brief outline of the report follows. It is impossible to tell of all the work and accomplishments of this committee in limited space. Report of the Executive Council. Brainerd, Minn.. June 17, 1912. The first meeting was held at Man kato immediately after the adjourn ment of the convention, Wednesday, June 21, 1911. All members were pre sent. In accordance with custom, Jos eph Maiden of St. Paul and S. S. Mc Donald of 'Duluth, the senior members of the Council were Chosen First and Second Vice Presidents respectively. "The second meeting of the Execu tive Council was held in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 10. All of the mem bers were present excepting Vice Pre sident Hildebrand of Mankato. Labor Commissioner Houk was a visitor at this meeting. The reports of officers indicated that all of the members of the Council had ueen unusually active during the three months. "President Hall, in submitting his quarterly report, stated that lie had visited several portions of the state and had endeavored to arouse new in terest in the cause among the unions. •He reported that he had called and at- 73 ions. September I received an invitation from "The third meeting of the Executive Secretary Oliver of the Fargo Trades Council was held in St. Paul on Dec Assembly to attend the convention and 10, 1911. All members responded to assist in organizing the state body. On the roll call excepting Vice President October 1. 1911, in the city of Grand Hildebrand of Mankato and L. Ci fi-'ics. pard of St. Cloud. "Mi\ Gaspard was prevented from attending the meeting on account of the death of his wife. Vice President ness in connection with the Typo graphical union there, _ela u. "u- He has also meetings of which 36 were affiliated unions. 17 non-affiliated un ions and 20 were meetings of new un- Hildebrand was unable to attend on account of business that required his attention at Mankato. "President Hall gave an extended re port of his work during the quarter. 'He had visited St. Cloud, Grand Forks Crookston, Red Wing, Winona and Duluth. and did considerable work"in I the attention to the Council to a com munication he had received from a flour milling company at Kensin.gton Min nesota who desired their mill organ ized so that they could have the use of the union label. "The fourth meeting of tlie council was held at Minneapolis pursuant to call on Sunday, March 10, 1912. All of ficers were present except Vice Presi dent Hollenberger, who was detained at his home on account of the serious illness of a member of his family. President Hall reported. that his time during the past three months wa divided largely between St. Paul and Minneapolis in which cities tie eomnlied largely with requests from local unions for assistance. He at tended in all fiS meetings of affiliated and no-affiliated unions, and several* meetings of central labor bodies. GRANITE CUTTERS GET INCREASE IN WAGEiS QUTNCY Mass., June 21.—The Granite Cutters' union at Lewiston and Auburn, Me., has successfully negotiated a new agreement with con tractors which increases the wage 25c per day. and eleminates a ma chine tool, the use ow which is very unhealthy. The Granite Cutters' convention, n* A recently visited Fargo, Falls, S. D., and various other cities and smaller towns. He has been very active and has aided the unions !n several places in doing good work for the craft he represents, and he told of conditions and prospects in the places he has visited in a very Interesting way. 11113 i4viu the titlo of thelr after July president sociation & changed titio tiidngen *v. v,. v«i international execu- I Winona. bioux tive officer, known tive officer, known as the secretary treasurer, to international president. The duties of this officer remain practically as herstofore. James Duncan, known now as the secretary-treasurer, will be known MiVSpo"^'chas. Brainerd Is Host of Sons of Toil. More than 225 Delegates Rep resenting 30,000 Gather in An nual Convention to Legislate for Labor. Initiative and Referendum Is Made Chief Legislative Demand of the Working Classes—Work ingmen's Compensation Comes Next on List. Under most favorable conditions and with every delegate in his place the annual convention of the Minne sota State Federation of Labor opened its annual convention at Brainerd on Monday morning. A powerful talk on the "Rights of Labor" by Rev. Father J. J. O'Mahony stirred the delegates to great enthu siasm. All Brainerd welcomed the dele gates with open arms. The city was thrown open to them and many forms ol" entertainment offered. The convention this year is feat ured by the large number of women in attendance, there being delegates from many unions and many of the delegates having brought their wives. Mayor Henry P. Dunn in a voice full of force and rich in eloquence, tendered the delegates a very warm and hearty welcome on the part of the city. Among the women present were: Mrs. E. G. Hall, the wife of the pres ident of the convention, and Mrs. Chubbuck, the wife of tiie A. F. of L. organizer for this territory, both from Minneapolis. John Turner of the Minneapolis Structural Iron Workers' union ren dered efficient service as assistant secretary. In closing his remarks Vice Presi dent Brown, who presided, announced that many entertainments had been prepared for the enjoyment of the delegates during their stay in the city, and that every effort would be made to give them as good a time as possible. Mr. Brown introduced Rev. W. J. Lowrie, pastor of the Congregational church of the convention city and .fraternal delegate from the local Min isters' association to the Trades and Labor Assembly. Mr. Lowrie deliv ered a short address in which he showed strong sympathy with organ ized labor spoke warmly and forcibly of the claims of good citizenship, and declared that the man who works is "the chief, the worthy, the great man of his community." He announced his creed to be "every man better, no man worse—every man up, no man down." Mayor Dunn pronounced the cause Afternoon Session. of labor a great and noble one, and ,n. declared with vigor and emphasis that labor and labor unions have their then delivered by Rev. Father .T. J. O'Mahony on "The Rights of Labor.'" This address was a powerful argu- ment in defense of labor arfa as powerful an arraignment of its foes. many times, and its brilliant, and impressive ulnciucnce swept the con- vention off i-.s feet. Both the Mayor and Father O'Mahony were received with loud and continued applause. Local Industrial Development. Carl Zappel, an accomplished geolo- mercial the Twin Cities. He held and attended very interesting address nn th« »Tn_ 5 ninety-four meetings in addition to performing his other duties. He .-ailed ,, Crow Wing County." He gave a his tory of Brainerd, showing that it was lirst an Indian village, then a lumber town, and next a busy railroad city. Standing Committees Appointed t„"°1 ..!h FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, ECONOMIC BEjEORM AND POLITICAL PROGRESS. DULUTH AND SUPERIOR, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1912. GREATEST CONVENTION OF UNION LABOR IN STATE OE MINNESOTA 3* CONVENTION SELECTS OFFICERS FOR YEAR E. G. Hall, .president, Min neapolis. W. E. McKwen. secretary treasurCr, Duluth. VICE PRESIDENTS. 1st District—C C.. Jensen, Winona. 2nd Distrift—~Left to execu tive committee for election. 3rd District—IjOuis Hallen berger, Rett -Wing". 4tli Distri'"'—Axel F. Peter son and Gtirge W. Lawson, St. Paul. 5th District —»J. C. Mulholland and N. C. O'Connor, Minne apolis. 6th District—L. G. Gaspard, St. Cloud P. T. Brown, Brain erd. 8th District—S. S. McDonald, Dulutli. 9th District-—Leon Eiliatrault, Crookston. Fraternal .Delegate Wiscon sin State Federation of Labor— E. G. Hall, Minneapolis. Official Oman—Labor Re view, Minneapolis. Xext meeting place of con vention, International Falls. terson, St. Paul ^,idrew Leaf, Minne apolis. Resolutions—Hes.K Goetzinger, St. Paul A. R. Beattr, Duluth H. H. Tohms, International Falls Prank Fisher, Minneapolis- Sam Harrington, Minneapolis Clias. is. James, St. Paul Louis Harthill,' Minneapolis John T. Turner, Minneapoli.:- Sherman Stought Minneapolis. Legislative and Political Action— F. E. Hoffman, St...Paul Len Bedal, Brainerd P. Marandaw, Duluth Albert Hall, (Minneapolis John W. Cleary, Minneapolis Chas. H. Joyner, St. Paul M. Mogan, Minneapolis Geo. W. Lawson St. Paul Frank Hoffman, Minneapolis. Labels and Union Label Organiza tions—Chas. Blye. St. Paul John Cheasick, St. Paul Jas. Mack, Minne apolis -Otto Erickson. Duluth Scott, Duluth Wm. Finn, Duluth H. Jonas sen, Minneapolis O. Eisenhaur, Min neapolis *Ta.ll^ i$i"htion» reP°rt tee on sacred rights, one of which is the *as submitted. It was adopted as right of organization for their own benefit. He said there ought to be Benin and Mooney Cases no conflict between labor and capital. Pn an^ Was Its force made it sink deep into the ™?arles club, delivered a learned and nncent He also spoke of the present agricul tural importance of the county, its rich find of iron ore in the Cuyuna range, and the great prosperity and advancement of its people. President Hall Responds. E. G. Hall, president of the State Federation of Labor who was intro duced next received a great ovation. He made a very happy response to the addresses of welcome, speaking with great practical common sense and force and fervor. aPPointed of the secretary hearts of the delegates its wit and M"mesota unionists who have been humor caused uproarious laughter ln3icte(i the Standing of conven tion as follows: Auditing and Credentials Joseph Mulholland,. Minneapolis, Geo. H. Mur ray, St. Paul J. H. Thompson, Duluth. Rules and Order of Bushiess—An drew Meldahl, Duluth Wm. J. Lyonais, Brainerd John Keefe, Minneapolis Archie McDonald, Minneapolis T. J. Cavanaugh, St. Paul Michael Sweeney St. PaiH Roy W. Smith, St. Cloud. Officers Reports—N. C. O'Connor. Minneapolis E. C. Gustafson, Minne apolis E. A. Rickard, Duluth Wm Booth, St. Cloud P. B. Puller, St. Paul W. C. Van Brunt, St. Paul G. J. Fisher, Organization Committee—B Wal ^,or,th,„WInona Joseph Miller, Duluth Clyde Mayo, Minneapolis Fred Lavierre iAinneapolis John Koot. St. Paul F. Moloney, Brainerd H. R. Tinkham, Du luth. ly 1, 1912, as international I Riclcick, Minneapolis S. ^."mc ot the Granite Cutters' as- 1 LRWfi7eFra-k Dul"th -Gould F. H. Fojzdal, War- ri°ad John Hanley, Minneapolis E. M. NfvannViAAlil u_. Stranchfield, Minneapolis Axel P. Pe- Minneapolis Mrs. Geo. Sargent, Brainerd Chas. Cook. Brainerd O. G- Dates, Minneapo lis A. W. Saxton Minneapolis Allan A. Johnson, Red wi'ng. Building Trades---A. G. Bainbridge, Minneapolis J. B.JJ&iisen, Duluth Ben Weising, St. Paul. R. W. Hcrlmes, St. Paul Louis -Elliot 'St. Paul B. Wal worth, Winona Welch, Brainerd Jas. Lichliter, -Minneapolis Earnest Wegner, Minneapolis. Sergeant-at-Arms—P. J. Hogan, weight 400 pounds. A telegram of fraternal greetings and good wishes was received from the secretary of the Minneapolis Building Trades council. A parade of the convention dele gates and the members of the Brain erd unions toop place at 7:80 o'clock in the evening. It was followed by an entertainment at one of the local theaters. rhe report of the commit- 'ules and order of business wrltte" motlon Powerful Spcech From tne Pulpit. Minneapolis a special committee of The great speech of the day was two of Delegate Turner of delegates of other ea/ch from St. Paul Minneapolis and one from each congressional districts to consider the parts reP°rts of the president and referring to the cases of Beum and Fred for ma ra Mooney, two complicity in the McNa- dynamiting crimes. The com- m,ttee consists of Chris. Jensen, Wi- nona Louis Hallenberger, Red Wing E. P. Lee and Juls. P. Streitz, St. Cloud J. W. Holmes, Brainerd Thomas Burnett, Duluth, and Harry Crew, East Grand Forks. Its duty is to devise means of raising funds for iV, gist and chairman of the local Com- u°f It men, as V6S are nt of the charges made against them Labor Commissioner Houk. At this juncture Labor Commission er Houk entered the hall and was invited to take a seat on the plat form. He was received with great demonstrations of pleasure from the delegates, and invited to address the convention. In responding to the call he read a comprehensive report of the work of the labor bureau dur ing the past year, which contained several valuable suggestions of needed legislation for the betterment of labor and the ends at which it aims. Red Fire from Mr. Lewis. Lewis, who has been working in the interest of the Federation of Railway Employes on the Pacific coast, was President paii invited to address the convention on ,.'Z.C"committees nlthe 0UnC'il1 motion of Delegate Juls. J. Ander son. Mr. Lewis made an impassioned speech, glorifying the strikers on the Pacific coast, the pressmen and other newspaper workers, including the newsboys, in Chicago, and urging labor men to be aggressive and bring the "bosses to their knees." Senii-Mouthly Pay Day. Delegate Mayo of Minneapolis made a motion to the effect that the president be directed to telegraph Representative Campbell requesting that he introduce again, during the present special session of the legisla ture, the bill providing for a semi monthly pay day for all classes of employes who are now paid by the month. After some discussion the mo tion was adopted. Clayton Anti-Injunction Bill. A communication from Samuel Gompers, .president, and Prank Mor rison^ secretary, 9i the American Fed- Federation Will Make -Fight For Minimum Wage Law New Boiler Inspection Is Also De manded—Strong Constructive Legislative Program Is Made. E. G. Hall Reelected—Gets Hand some Endorsement from Dele gates—Many Old Officers Are Endorsed—International Falls Gets Next Convention. eration of Labor, requested the con vention to take decided action in favor of the passage of the Clayton anti-injunction bill now pending in congress. Wisconsin State Federation! A request from the secretary of the State Federation of Labor of Wiscon sin for the convention to send a fra ternal delegate to the meeting of that federation which is to be held in July, was referred to the committee on legislation. Committee Meetings CalleU. Meetings of the standing commit tees were called immediately after the adjournment of the convention by their chairmen, after which the adjournment for the day was taken. Tuesday morning the convention got right down to business. Telegrams from the mayor and commercial club of International ^alls not only invited, but strongly urged the State Federation to hold its next convention in that cit^, The committee on union labels and label organizations reported four res olutions and recommended their pas sage. .Combined, the four resolutions ask that union men insist on union made boots and shoes, urged opposition to child labor and insanitary working conditions, recommended that all ce real and flour mill workers form unions and asked that the State Fed eration take steps to organize retail clerks. In every case the recom mendation of the committee was adopted. A barbers' Sunday closing law was passed. A recommendation pro viding for a ten-hour day for em ployes in restaurants and one day off in seven and more sanitary working conditions, was passed. A resolution expressing full confi dence in President Gompers and the executive council of the A. F. of L., and thanking them for their services, was passed. Another resolution urgin unions to provide a larger strike defense fund was adopted. The State Federation also bound itself to give no patron age to the St. Paul Dispatch or Pio neer Press until they have settled the grievance the Web Pressmen's nnlon has against them. The State Federation also en dorsed the striking freight handlers in the Twin Cities and pledged it self to giye them all possible aid. A special committee recommended in favor of levj'ing an assessment of 5 cents per capita on all affiliated unions for the defense fund of Charles Beum and Fred Mooney. The recommendation was adopted. The organization of a state build ing trades council was announceda nd an appropiration of $50 to aid in its support for one year was voted upon and carried. It was also decided to send a fra ternal delegate to the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor to unite with others in an organization for the middle west. Other resolutions adopted Tues day by the State Federation of Labor appropriated $50 for defraying the expenses of organizing the building trades council. Urged the passage of a bill creat ing a state plumbing inspector under the jurisdiction of the state board of health. Favored a workingmen's compen sation and Industrial insurance. An amendment to the constitution to enable the state to create a fund by a specific tax upon the industries of the state, the rate based on the hazard, no part to be exacted from the wages of labor, to be paid all wage earners automatically without the necessity qf a lawsuit, irrespec tive of questions of negligence or as sumption of risks. Favored electing a delegate to at tend the Wisconsin State Federation1 of Labor meeting, and establishing fraternal relations with that body. Favored a state inspector of sheet metal work on state buildings. Asked an amendment to the pres ent anti-pass law, providing that the said law shall not apply to railway employes Vho occupy municipal, township and school offices. Pledged moral support to the building trades of Minneapolis. Members of all unions to' be as sessed 5 cents each for the Mooney Beum defense fund. Endorsed action of striking freight handlers. Endorsed the Seamans bill evoked by the Titanic disaster. Favored a constitutional amend ment that will prohibit judges of the supreme court from declaring laws unconstitutional except by a' unani mous decision. Favored cooperative wood working establishments' under the manage ment of organized labor. Favored amending the postal sav# {CotattBve* Pase |.) BOOSTS TAFT GAME 1 IN REPUBLICAN MEET JAMES A. HEMENWAY. James A. Hemenway is successor of former Vice President Fairbanks in the senate and he is acting as chief marshall of the Indiana Taft forces at the Republican- National convention. He welcomes Colonel Roosevelt's bolt and does not hesi tate to boast of it among his friends. HOUK MIKES STR0N6 SPEECHJT MEETING Tells of Great Work of State Bu reau of Labor Since Its Existence. State Labor Commissioner Houk's address before the State Federation of Labor convention is here offered only in part as limited space denies it being used in full. Mr. Houk said: Although the Bureau of Labor Is a state institution and makes its report primarily to the legislature, still, as the department was created at the earnest demand of the labor organi zations, the only state institution qualified to speak for the workingmen and women, it must always be pleasure, and seem a duty, to make a report also to the representative body ..A of organized labor of the state. The first essential in the way of ac cident prevention is a study of the causes in the several industries. In conclusion let me say that -th~5 department is always ready to per form the functions for which it was created that of aiding in uplifting and. Improving the conditions of the working people .and enforcing, the laws, under Its jurisdiction. L6t me again -urge, as "other commissioners have bef°re me,- that the best results can only- be secured by enthusiastic cooperation. We may not always, agree and we admit that, sometimes we may be mistakon, but it is a mistake of the head and" not of the heart. Be fair in your criticism do- not condemn us without a hearing,, and I am certain that we can demonstrate our sincerity in endeavoring to do as you are doing —trying to make this world- a: better place, to.live. in. CARMEN SECUI& AN INCREASE IN WAGES KANSAS erfcY,'Mo. June 21.— The members of the Brotherhood of Railway^ Carmen oh the N. O. M. & C. railroad at Mobile, Ala.,, have been successful in securing a new schedule, with an increase in wages. A new lodge has also been organ ized at Gladstone, Mich. Indications point to a Ikrge increase in member ship in a number of the principal cities in the country in the near future. SIR EDWARD CLARKE UPHOLDS STRIKES WASHINGTON, June 21.—Rey nolds' newspape, published in Lon don, in referring to the report re cently made by Sir E2dward Clarke on the* London dock strike, makes this editorial-comment: "Sir Edward Clarke's report on the Londdn dock strike is substantially a vindication of the men's actions. There were seven points In dispute. In two of these Sir Edward finds the men were in the wrong, but on five of them he holds that they have made dut their casfe. The masters stand convicted of breaking agreements in 'the moist cynical fashion and even the 'Times' is constrained to rebuke tUem." SUBSCRIPTION: $1.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE INNESOTA IHQTOmOAU SOCIETY. Our report will show this study for a period of three years. As a result of the 'Efforts for several years, the last year of the three will show a con siderable decrease in the number. The furnishing of safeguards, it has been shown by those who have the most experience in prevention work, is responsible for only abotrt one-third of the decrease in accidents. The balance must be obtained by a study of causes and active cooperation of both em ployer and employe in studying means of prevention. Men who have made a scientific study of the problem esti mate that if this cooperation is secured that at least from 70 to 75 per cent of o.ur accidents can be eliminated. Surely this is worth while, and I would urge upon the unions that they take more interest in these matters and devote some time ip their meet ings to a discussion of the question particularly those organizations in the hazardous trades. At this "time I wish to bespeak a better support of our free employment bureau. Many of the abuses intimated in the last paragraph can be elim inated when the public employment bureau reaches its proper standard. That the bureau has demonstrated its usefulness no person can successfully deny. This usefulness' has been cur tailed only by the- limited funds al lowed for- its' rriaintenance. It is a duty of the state to furnish such a bureau... Although the world does not owe a man a,living, it does o,we him an opportunity to make an honest living.. He should never be compelled to pay for the privilege of working. TWO CENTS. NEEDEDJ LABOB Secretary McEwen A«ir« Union Men to Select Legislature Members Carefully. In submitting his annual report. Secretary W. E. McEwen made ai strong plea for a defense fund for Beum and Mooney, the two men un der indictment in connection with the Indianapolis dynamiting^ plots. He stated that organized labor believes them innocent. The speaker went into the cases of the McNamara brothers fully and stated that labor unions generally should not be judged by the action of these two black sheep. Mr. McEwen urged a fair working man's compensation act, advocated the initiative, referendum and recall, went deeply into the matter of or ganization among women and cau tioned union men to take more inter* est in politics, sending to the state legislature men who have the inter ests of labor at heart. The report is too long for complete publication, but it follows in part: "It has been a trying year for the American labor movement, probably the most trying in its experience. The at tacks upon its efficacy by its enemies from within, and the terrific assaults dealt by its foes from without, were sufficient in force to crush into atoms •the mo?t firmly entrenched and the best fortified !of thi*5^seefs08^ie0'n,leofmc5ni?eB* fact of the most powerful legislative lobby of anti-union employers ever ap- pearing in Washington more laws are being enacted in the interest of labor than at any other time in the history: of our country. Woman of tabor aid Wmmum I«giala« tlon. "It »s indeed gratifying to observe the recent and growing development of sentirhent in opposition to the old limitless order ot exploiting the wage working women and children of Amerl-. ca. "It is needless here to dwell on the evils of woman and child labor. We trade unionists, while the world was slumbering, endeavored to awaken it and to call attention to the manner by which modern industry was exploiting American womanhood and children were being robbed of their playtime. We are all fully familiar with the gradual bu«t steady displacement of men by women and later of women by children, and of the reduced wage scale attending each displacement, and we know, too, that beneath it a sordid" greed was drawing upon all that we hold near and dear to us to satisfy its Insatiable desire for proifit. "Tne men of labor learned many years ago the folly of awaiting the slow process of the law and the help of a government to bring about any degree of social betterment. The re cognition of this fact was -the very thing that prompted labor to organize. "Every time union labor achieves- a victory it not only raises the status of union labor but on non-union labor as well, for non-union labor gets the benefit of all that union labor achieves. "The average working woman recog nizes that her employment is but tem porary. When she is asked to join a trade union she does not consider it" worth while. She may recognize that there is a labor problem but she does not care to make any sacrifices for its solution. -She is perfectly witling to permit those who may follow her bear the burden. "There are several million working women who look at the question whol ly from the Individual standpoint. Tor getting that some contribution in or ganization during the short period they are engaged in industry would make lighter the burdens of millions of other women who are to take their places. "In several Industries the women wage earners have organised' with, a (Continued on Ppffe 3.) LAB08DEPARTMEHT PASSED Law Provides for Commission to Have Charge of Labor Law Enforcement. BOSTON, June 21.—The labor de partment bill, which has -been under-V consideration by the state legislature, has been passed by the house and senate. It is understood that Governor Poss is favorable to the bill and therefore it will undoubtedly receive his signature and- become a law. The bill provides for a commission of five, one to be an employer of labor, one a wage earner, one a phy sician or sanitary engineer, and one woman. The commission is to have charge -of industrial inspection and the en forcement of labor laws, tiking~.over the powers now belonging to the state police and the state board of health. There is a provision in tjjie bill al lowing-the board to make investiga tions and prosecutions, which Is e garded as an exceedingly impotent jr* institutions among men. But the American Federation of Labor and its long list of affiliated unions stood their ground well, and today, though battle-scarred and wea ther-beaten, they are with character istic vigor still pressing the claims -off the working classes for higher wages, shorter hours of labor, improved shop conditions and a great measure of in dustrial freedom Jn a manner that com mands for them at least the respect of their enemies and the admiration of their friends. "In the great world-wide struggle in which we are erigaged it is to be ex pected that skirmishes and battles and even series of battles shall frequently be lost, but the war eoes in, irresistible and unceasing, and It will continue to go on until all men shall get their rights until the hand of toil shall be given its full share of its own earn ings, until no person on this earth, be he king, judge or capitalist, shall dare strike the back of labor with the lash, of injustice. "The men who toil with their hands, who clear forests, who fcuild roads, who build shops and cities, schools arid churches, they are the men who make civilization possible. Others are use ful indeed, but the laborer is indispen- '3? I