NO. 12
FE1EBAT
Mini
A
LINCOLN, XEBKASKA, JLTXE 26, lt09
EKUuKA
A
The Officers.
President. Will M. Maupin. Lincoln.
Secretary-Treasurer. Frank P. Hart,
South Omaha.
First Vic President. Geo. Stevens.
South Omaha..
Second Vice President. J. A. Booth.
Fremont.
Third Vice President, L. C. Mason,
Alliance.
Fourth Vice President. J. C. Birming
ham. Beatrice.
Fifth Vice President. Ira A. Duncan,
Hastings.
Sergeant-at-arms, George Enoch. Mc
Cook. Delegate A. F. of L, Louis V. Guye.
Omaha. 1
Legislative Committee S. IX Smith.
Hive'ock; James Kotera, "SoutTi Oma
ha; J. W. Elliott. Fremont; W. W.
Waters, Fsirbury. W. C. Allison, Mc
Cook; S. H. Graced North Platte,
Despite the croaklngs ot the pro
phets ot failure; despite the effort of
frightened partisans to discredit the
honesty ot its motive; despite the.
failures of the past. Nebraska today
has a State Federation ot Labor, fully
organized, equipped with a constitu
tion that is a new Declaration of la
dependence, and equipped to become
a real force in the Industrial life of
the commonwealth. There were those
who said that not enough interest
could be aroused to make possible
an organization worthy of the ambi
tious name of "Nebraska State Feder
ation of Labor," but there were also
those who believed that it could be
done, knew that it should be done, and
were willing to make the effort. The
effort was made and the people of
Nebraska are cognizant of the splen
did success ot the effort.
Early in May. Deputy Labor Com
missioner Maupin, acting solely in
the interests ot the industrial work
ers and along the lines ot what he
conceived to be his duty, issued a
call for a delegate convention for the
purpose ot organizing the Nebraska
State Federation of Labor. No or
ganization ot producers was barred.
Nothing was said about delegates com
ing from organizations unrecognized
by the American Federation of Labor.
It was to be a delegate convention
made up ot delegates selected by or
ganized bodies of worklngmeu where
ever located within the state one del
egate from each organization.
When Deputy Labor Commissioner
Maupin called the convention to or
der he was fronted by seventy-nine
delegates representing as many differ
ent organizations of workers In the
state. They came from all parts of
the state, one delegate traveling over
three hundred and fifty miles, and at
his own expense, to represent his small
local organisation. Others traveled
upwards ot two hundred and fifty
miles. These instances are cited
merely to show the interest taken in
the great movement
Natrually enough Douglas county,
the great industrial center of the
state, had the most representatives,
and Lancaster county next. Dodge.
Adams county. Gage county. Box Butte
county, Lincoln county, Otoe county
and other counties containing "third
cities' were well represented.
Immediately after calling the con
vention to order Mr. Maupin asked the
deelgates to rise while Rev. P. M. Orr
Invoked the divine blessing and the di
vine guidance upon the assembly.
Governor Shallenberger was then in
troduced as a governor who refused
to countenance a further extension of
the prison contract system, and he
was received with tremendous ap
plause. Governor Shallenberger's re
marks were brief and pointed. Ad
mitting that he knew little about in
dustrial life, having always lived up
oa the farm, he declared that he knew
and felt the necessity ot organization.
and his word to the convention was,
"Organise, organize, organize!" He
assured them ot his sympathy in their
very effort for the upiift ot themselves
and their fellow workers, and he felt
that just such states as Nebraska,
- neither altogether agricultural nor in
dustrial, was in splendid shape to
act as the final arbitrater and bring
about that balance that should exist
between labor and capital. He wished
the convention a profitable session and
bid them welcome to the seat ot the
state government.
Mayor Love welcomed the delegates
on behalf of the city, and his welcome i
was hearty and sincere. He discussed
existing conditions as compared with
past conditions, and assured the work
ers that his sympathies were with
them. His address was listened to
with great interest and he was warm
ly applauded.
A. A. Hyers, of Havelock. represen
ting the machinists of that city, re
sponded to the addresses of welcome
on behalf of the convention. His re
sponse was brief and witty, and he
voiced the sentiments of the delegates.
a fact evidenced by their loud applause
ot his every expression of good will
towards the chief executive of the
state ar.d the mayor of the capital
city. Mr. Hyers address in full will
be printed next week. -
Deputy Commissioner of Labor Mau
pin then addressed the convention
briefly, outlining his purpose in call
ing the convention and telling what
he believed the necessities were for
such an organization as a state feder
v o " a
THE NEBRASKA STATE FEDERATION'S ORGANIC LAW
THE AIM OP GOVERNMENT should be to protect man in bis
natural rights; to promote domestic tranquility; to promote the
general welfare; and to insure the blessings of liberty.
FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL a law-favored and law-making
few have enjoyed idle luxury at the expense of the toiling many.
About the only rights vouchsafed to the toiler is the right to sin,
starve and suffer.
UNDER TIIE PRESENT organization and manipulation of
legislation the burdens of life are unequally distributed. The non
producing class, by reason of its having ample time to devote to
the perpetuation of the causes which at present unfairly divide
the results of honest toil, tends to perpetuate the evil, instead of
diminishing the burden.
Wherever one is getting without working, somewhere, in some
place some one is working without getting.
- IT, THEREFORE, behooves the man who toils, the laboring
man. to take such action and adopt such measures as will best in
sure his self-preservation.
WE, THEREFORE, pledge ourselves to assist each other in
securing the best possible wages and best possible treatment to the
laboring class by all honorable means, and we will withdraw, and
use our influence to have others withdraw, all patronage from any
unfair employers.
WE FURTHER PLEDGE ourselves to assist in guaranteeing
to each national and international organization affiliated with the
Nebraska State Federation of Labor the trade autonomy or control
of their own business.
ECONOMIC DEMANDS
As the accredited representatives of the Nebraska State Federa
tion of Labor and the organized industrial classes, we make the
following declaration of principles and economic demands:
First The abolition of all forms of involuntary servitude, ex
cept as a punishment for crime.
Second Free schools, free text-books published by the state,
and compulsory education.
Third Unrelenting protest against the abuse of the injunction
in labor disputes.
Fourth A work day of not
the twentv-four-hour day.
Fifth A strict recognition
day on all federal, state and municipal work and at not less than
the prevailing per diem wase rate of the class of employment in
the vicinity where the work is performed as established by the
different crafts.
Sixth Release from employment one day in seven.
Seveuth The abolition of the contract system on public work.
Eighth The municipal ownership of public utilities.
Ninth Sanitary inspection of factory, workshop and home.
Tenth Liability of employers for injury to body and loss of life.
Eleventh The enforcement of our child labor laws.
ation of labor. He then called for'
nominations for temporary chairman.
Patrick Ford of ' Omaha nominated
Fred Murray of Omaha and A. A.
Hyers nominated Mr. Maupin. How
ever, Mr. Maupin, declined to stand
as a candidate for the position and
Mr. Murray was selected by acclama
tion. The newly elected chairman
was given his seat, and after a brief
word of thanks he asked for the selec
tion of a temporary secretary. J. A.
Booth of Fremont was selected.
Chairman Murray then appointed
the following committees:
Credentials Wm Wakehouse. 'Oma
ha; G. A. Walker. Lincoln; Jerry
Howard, South Omaha; John Pfann,
Nebraska City.
Constitution F. M. Coffey, Lincoln;
II. F. Still, T. II. Williamson, S. S.
Smith. Havelock; F. H. Morris, Ne
braska City. Mr. Chase of Lincoln,
afterwards took Mr. Still's place upon
this committee.
Resolutions L J. Copenharve, Oma
THE MEN WHO MADE THE FEDERATION
0 li 0 Yr
If
Q
more than eight hours within
of not more than eight hours per
ha 3 F. P. Hart, South Omaha; W. EL
Dewey, Lincoln; A. H Hyers, Have
lock. Pending the report of the committee
on credentials, Raymond Robins of
Chicago made a rousing speech in
which he urged the convention to
proceed cautiously, to act courage
ously, end to make the Federation a
force in the industrial life of the
state. He told of unionism's struggles
and successes, and pictured in glow
ing words a future better and brighter
because of the struggles and sacrifices
of unselfish workers.
The credential committee reported
the accredited delegates and the con
vention immediately settled down to
such business as a temporary organi
zation could transact. Permanent or
ganization was effected by the election
of Mr. Murray to continue In the chair.
Frank P. Hart was selected as per
manent secretary. There were those
who insisted that these permanent offi
cers should be elected to serve for the
a fit 6 ii
CI
Twelfth Suitable and plentiful playgrounds for children in
all cities;
Thirteenth The initiative and
Fourteenth All just and proper restrictions on the liquor traffic.
Fifteenth Equal pay for equal work for both sexes.
Sixteenth The squeezing by
out of the capital stock of public
ment of proper regulation laws
profit on the actual capital invested.
Seventeenth Establishing of government postal savings banks.
Eighteenth Adoption of constitutional amendments requiring
the election of United States senators by direct vote of the people.
Nineteenth The abolition of the competition of convict labor
with free labor. v
Twentieth The establishing of a state printing office and the
election of a state printer.
Twenty-first Proper legislation and sufficient appropriations
to allow the labor bureau to meet the necessities and possibilities
of such a department of state.
Twenty-second To lessen the number of hours of continuous
employment on transportation lines railroad and electric.
Twenty-third To lessen the number of hours of continuous
employment and provide proper sanitary conditions for women
and girls employed in factory, department stores and work rooms.
Twenty-fourth We are opposed to the piece system in all crafts.
CONSTITUTION
Article One
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Nebraska
State Federation of Labor and shall affiliate with the American
Federation of Labor.
Sec. 2. It shall be composed of the accredited representatives
of trade and labor organizations.
Sec. 3. The objects of this body are to defend our rights and
advance our interests as working men and women; to protect just
and honorable employers from the unfair competition of cheap
labor huckstering rivals; to foster fellowship, and shield from
aggression the defenseless toiler; to aid the destitute and unfor
tunate; to develop and stimulate, by association and social eon
verse, those kindly instincts of humanity which most highly adorn
true manhood; to encourage the principle and practice of con
ciliation and arbitration in the settlement of differences between
capital and labor; to promote the industrial interests of the mem
bers of this Federation and the wage workers in general; to
collect facts regarding the injustices practiced upon individuals
and collective workers, and publish them to the world, so that
the cause of our complaints may be known; to assist and en
courage the formation of unions of working men and women in
every city and town in the state; to urge the laboring people and
their sympathizers to patronize union-made goods, bearing the
union labels, in preference to other goods; to uphold authorized
Continued on Page Five
year, but this vfrw of the case waa
not coincided in by the majority. It took
an hour of warm discussion to settle
the matter, but it was finally decided
that the officials were to serve only
until a constitution was adopted and
the Nebraska State Federation of La
bor an accomplished fact.
After the selection of a committee
to frame an order of business the con
vention adjourned till S o'clock Tues
day morning.
Monday evening Governor and Mrs.
Shallenberger tendered a reception to
to the delegates and visitors and to
the local unionists of Lincoln. For two
hours the executive mansion was a
busy scene, the visitors coming and
going and enjoying the hospitality of
the state's chief executive and his
wife. Dainty refreshments were
served, Mrs. Shallenberger being as
sisted by the wives of several of the
presidents of local unions. This fea
ture of the convention was thoroughly
enjoyed by all who attended, and
referendum.
legislative enactment of all water
service corporations and the enact
allowing a reasonable per cent of
from appearances practically every
delegate and visitor accepted the hos
pitality of the executive mansion.
Tuesday morning's convention was
to have convened at S o'clock the usa-
al beginning time of the eight-hoar day
man, but the delegates were a Qtu
slow in arriving aad it was nearly 9
o'clock before Chairman Murray
caned the convention to order. The
committee on order of business re
ported and the report was adopted
without dissent. The committee on
constitution then announced its readi
ness to report and Chairman Coffey
took the floor and proceeded to readL.
The document was a lengthy- oae. bat
it had been prepared with saea care
and ability . that the changes aad
amendments to the document as read
were comparatively slight. Ob soiae
three or four sections there was warm
debate, and In several instances thern
were insinuation of "Mockeying for
political advantage." Bat the debates
were all good aatared. aad at tine
hearty laughs were raised by some mtt
ty retort of a delegate. Section by
section the does meat was considered
by the committee, of the whole, aad
at the conclusion of the reading the
committee of the whole arose aad re
ported, and at the afternoon sesison.
about 3:30, it was adopted aad the
Nebraska State Federation of La
bor was an established fact
An effort was made at this frac
ture to suspend the order of business
and proceed with the election of offi
cers. The claim was mad that m
of the delegates wanted to get away
on the early trains, bat a majority
were willing to stay right there aad
proceed in the regntar way.
The resolutions committee resorted
at length. Among other rescissions
adopted was one in favor of eqsal suf
frage, which was carried without a dis
senting vote. Another aslted that the
age limit of forty-live, prescribed by
the civil service rales, be raised. Ou
thanking Deputy Labor Commissioner
Maupin for his activity and sei rfa.es ia
calling the convention was adopted by
rising vote.
Delegate Howard, of South Omaha,
insisted apon the reading of a resota
tion drafted by him. although the reso
lution committee asked for farther
time. It was a savage attic npoa
the deputy labor commissioner, charg
ing him with neglect of doty and Tar
ions other crimes. The deputy com
missioner replied aad moved the tabl
ing of the resolution- The motion to
table was adopted with a whoop. An- .
other resolution asking that Organi
zer Flood be sent to Lincoln as son
las he had finished in South Omaha was
finally adopted after some linL
trouble in getting a chance from Chair
man Hurray to nave it reported from
the committee.
This finished the order of business
save for the election of officers, aad
this work was taken up. Then came
the big fight good natnred as a whole
that had been looked forward to
with so much interest. As soon aa
this order was called for, Delegate
Smith of Havelock arose aad pwt ia
nomination Will I. 3(anpin. of Lin
coln. Delegate Ford of Omaha, fol
lowed with the nomination of Fred
Hurray of Omaha. Several seconding
speeches were made and then the
voe came on. Delegate Copenharve
j..-ed that the ballot be a secret one.
to which Chairmaa Morrajr made vio
lent protest la which he hinted vagae
ly at "dirty polities.' aad said the con
vention was not big enough to honor
him to any extent by electing kiat as
its head. Delegate Grant arose to a
point of order and pointed oat that as
the convention was working under
a regularly adopted constitution it
would be necessary ia eiect by Aus
tralian ballot. The eowreatioa took
that view of it. Secretary Hart railed
the roll, and as each delegate's Basse
was called he went forward and de
posited his ballot In the hat. The vote
stood thirty-eight for Maapia and
thirty for Murray. 31 r. Murray ap
pointed Messrs. Ford aad Hyers to
escort the president-elect to the chair,
and fat yielding the gavel Mr. Mar
ray assured the new president of his
hearty support aad sympathy.
The election of vice presidents aad
members of the legislative commit
tee was expedited by referring aH nom
inations to a committee, the ommH
tee's selection in each instance being
(Continued on page 4 t