Chapter Three

Founding of the AFL Central Labor Union [130]

The Knights of Labor period drew to a close and the creation of the modern labor movement began in La Crosse with the chartering of an AFL central labor body in 1897. After discussion with Frank Weber of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, the unions of La Crosse moved to affiliate with the American Federation of Labor as a Central Labor Body. Frank Weber issued a call for a meeting at Labor Hall in La Crosse at eight o' clock on Tuesday February 19, 1897. On Wednesday at the same hour, the carpenters, wood workers and cabinet workers were called out to meet with Mr. Weber to hear the reasons and need for forming a central labor body. Weber was quoted in the paper as closing his meetings with the statement; “Come and join and help improve your condition. Without organization there can be no amelioration of our craft.” [131] Weber was reported by the local papers as being ready to go to Minnesota and Iowa to affect the same organizations of unions after finishing up in Wisconsin. [132]

On February 1, all the attending members of the cities' AFL unions elected officers. Frank Weber chaired the meeting and assisted while the following officers were chosen; President Frank J. Dunscombe (Printer), Vice President William F. Key; Recording/Corresponding Secretary Charles Holtze; Financial Secretary August Didisch; Treasurer Henry Kowalke; and Sergeant At Arms John Walnhofer. Each union that chose to be represented by the Central Labor Union would receive five delegates. Politics was to be avoided at all costs, stated the unionists. [133]

Secretary Holtze sent in the five-dollar affiliation fee and filled out the affiliation form and mailed it to President Samuel Gompers, dating it February 9, 1897. The application form gave the title of the union as the Central Labor Union and noted that the body would meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at 413 Jay Street.

This was the building known as Bartl's Hall in La Crosse. Typographical Union Number 274, Cigar-makers Local 61 and Brewery Workers Local 81 were the applicants on the form, which was approved by President Gompers on February 17, 1897. The letter sent along with the application was sent on Cigar-makers Local 61 stationary by Secretary Holtze and read; Dear Sir and President, Enclosed will find application for Certificate of Affiliation with the American Federation of Labor. Also five dollars for the Charter. Mr. F.J. Weber is in the City and is doing good work here and we sincerely hope that the good work will continue in the future. We have a seal from the A.F. of L. from the old central labor union. Yours Fraternally, Charles Holtze. [134]

From official union records I doubt the statement by Charles Holtze, as to his statement there existed a prior Central Labor Union, I think he was referring to an earlier A.F.L. affiliated individual labor union. I have found no evidence of any AFL organization of labor unions existing in La Crosse prior to the February 7, 1897 Central Labor Union that had applied for or had been approved by AFL President Sam Gompers. Nor is there any charter on file in the AFL-CIO's archives in Maryland. Activists in La Crosse quickly moved into the work of organizing workers and joining in with the Wisconsin Federation of Labor affiliating with that body in 1897 as well. By 1898 the Central Labor Union was hosting a State Convention of that body. Locally, President Dunscombe was also the Vice President of his local, Charles Baumann serving as President. The Master Plumber's Association of La Crosse was lead by James A. Trane as President, Albert V. Fetter as Secretary and J.S. Thill as it's treasurer. [135]

Wisconsin State Federation of Labor State Convention, La Crosse, 1898

In June of 1898 Wisconsin was celebrating it's semi-centennial of Statehood, and La Crosse labor was hosting it's first state AFL Convention. On June 14, 1898 the convention opened. Union Hall on 4 th Street was tried as the meeting location but was quickly found to be too objectionable to the delegates attending. A non-union brewer owned the hall and the unionists would not have anything to do with his property. The convention adjourned and held a quick meeting and chooses Frohsinn Hall on the corner of 210 South 4 th and Pearl Streets as the convention location. H.A. Holt of Cigar-makers Local 61 was the President of the Central Labor Union of La Crosse in 1898. Frank Grebner also of Cigar-makers Local 61, was chosen as the convention's Sergeant At Arms. Fred Stenke of Brewers Local 81 was the other La Crosse Delegate to the convention. Miss Addie Hoak of Garment Workers Local 126 of Oshkosh was elected as the assistant secretary. Martin Jenko of the WSFL convened the Convention in the afternoon and by motion, Charles Teney of the Federated Trades Council of Milwaukee was chosen as temporary chair, and later as the permanent chair.

All tolled, there were twenty-seven delegates in attendance. Milwaukee sent seven, Oshkosh five, Racine two, Kenosha two, Green Bay two, Sheboygan two, Janesville two, Appleton one, and Marshfield one. [136] Milwaukee's delegates represented cigar markers, coopers, brewers, brewery teamsters, horse-shoer's and the Federated Trades Council. Oshkosh had delegates from the garment workers, cigar-makers and amalgamated wood workers unions. Racine sent members from their Trades and Labor Council and the cigar-makers. A tanner and a carpenter delegate represented Kenosha. Green Bay sent a cooper and a delegate from the Federated Trades Council of that city. Sheboygan had in attendance an iron molder and a delegate from the Central Labor Council. Janesville sent a barber and a delegate from the Federated Trades Council. Appleton was represented by a cigar-maker and Marshfield by a member from the amalgamated wood workers.

In the evening the delegates attended a mass meeting in the 4 th Street Park where they listened to Frank Weber, Charles Teney, Mr. Charles Helmich and M. H. Whitaker. Attendance was reported as being quite light. Frank Weber made a few strong statements condemning the poor attendance of the mass meeting by the workingmen of La Crosse. [137] It would seem that the battle to overcome apathy is an every present one that all groups continue to face.

The second day of the convention convened and the delegates were read a communication from the Brewery Worker's International Union of St. Louis, Missouri. President Charles Bechtold. He had been in La Crosse back in 1894 during the lock- out of coopers and brewery workers by the city's breweries. The communication was directed to the convention and read as follows: Fellow Workmen and Brothers- The National Union of the United Brewery Workmen of the United States herewith wishes you best success for your convention, and desires to tender you its sincere thanks for the noble aid you have given it in its long fight in the interest of the brewery workers of your state.

You are aware of the fact that the John Gund Brewing Co. Of La Crosse, Wis., has recognized our organization and its rules again, and has been stricken from the unfair list, but still the rest of the breweries of La Crosse refuse to do the same, and are therefore on the unfair list. Also Conrad Schreier's brewery and malt house in Sheboygan is keeping up its enmity against organized labor, like most of the malt houses of your State, who are paying the most miserable wages for the hardest work in the brewery trade. We therefore ask your organization for its further most energetic moral aid in these our fights. Do your best to urge all members of organized labor to withhold their patronage from those scab firms, so that they will finally see themselves obliged either to run their establishments under union rules or quit business altogether and let liberal people take hold of them. Please also aid us to bring our union label more thoroughly in use by instructing your members to make a demand for our union label and the show card. Hoping your convention will prove successful to the noble cause of Labor, and that it may find ways to work towards the great aims of our cause, the abolition of the wage slavery system, I remain, Fraternally yours, Charles Bechtold, National Secretary.

Frank Weber spoke to the convention next and made several interesting comments. He spoke of the belief of many labor unions that supply and demand set the wage rates. He spoke to them on this issue and said; “Is the standard of living that is chiefly instrumental in fixing wages, and not supply and demand. The most intelligent and skillful workers in every trade are found in trades unions, and it is because they are the most intelligent and skillful that their aspirations are higher, their independence greater and their general ideas of the rights and conditions of labor broader than those of non-union men. Yet when

union men obtain better wages and shorter hours for themselves, they lift up the non-union men with them, and by raising the standard of wages really extend the benefits of unionism to all.” He continued speaking to the delegates and stated “There is no more civilizing agency in existence than the trades union. It educates its members to be independent and manly; it teaches them their rights as workers and their duties as citizens, and it not only teaches but also defends its members when their rights are invaded. It aims to lift up all workingmen to an equality with those of worth, it proclaims the gospel of worth, not the gospel of wealth and blood; its ideas are broad and fraternal; it honors all toil; for the wealth and beauty of the world have sprung from the labor of hand and brain. The trades union is the van of every great report. Long before the secret ballot system was known to the outside world or had been adopted by any State, the trades unions had endorsed and practiced it in electing their officers. The trades unions succeeded in reducing the hours of labor from twelve to ten and is now reducing them to eight.” Weber ended his talk with a few verses from the English poet Shelly- Rise like a lion after slumber, In unvanquishable numbers, Shake your chains to earth like dew, Which in sleep hath fallen on you, Ye are many - they are few. [138]

One of the cities' daily newspapers printed artists drawing of Frank Weber, Martin Jesko and W.F. Key of the WSFL in the paper. [139] In the afternoon the delegates gathered at the Hotel La Crosse and at two o' clock where they boarded carriages and were taken on a ride and tour of the city. They visited all the breweries and factories and mills and were driven over all the main residence streets and also visited all the cemeteries and parks. The business men's Board of Trade arranged for the carriages.

The delegates once again attended an open air mass meeting in the park on King Street, between fourth and fifth streets and a larger crowd was in attendance. Organizer Weber spoke and received vigorous applause.

A farewell party and dance was held at Frohsinn Hall and the first AFL labor convention drew to a successful close.

First Labor Day celebration under the AFL

The citizens of La Crosse arose and read a proclamation by Governor Edward Scofield in their newspaper on September 4 [140] . It emanated from the Executive Chamber of the Governor and was dated, August 24, 1898. It read; by legislative enactment the governor of the state is authorized to name one day in each year to be known as Labor Day. By virtue of authority thus vested in me, I, Edward Scofield, governor of the state of Wisconsin, do hereby set apart and designate Monday, September 5, as Labor Day.

This purpose of setting apart this day is clearly to call attention to the important part which labor has performed in the development of our country and to emphasize the necessity for maintaining just and harmonious relations between the employed and the their employers. Never in the history of our state or nation has there been a time when Labor Day might be more appropriately celebrated as a holiday than at the present. The return of industrial prosperity which is manifested on every side, and the restoration of peach, after a short and decisive war, all tend to promote good feeling on every side, and to cement more firmly the bonds of friendship and equality among us. In order that the true purpose of the day may be carried out and that it may be made an especial occasion for rejoicing, I recommend that all manufacturing institutions and the industries generally suspend operations, and that all mercantile establishments throughout the state where men are employed be closed for the day, and that as far as possible employers and employees thought the state join in the celebration.

Ever and always men and women discuss the apathy and ignorance of their contemporaries, and so it was even in 1898. For in the same newspaper, the editor commented or rather lamented the fact that like the other national holidays, Labor Day was being used as an excuse to rest and relax and not as an opportunity to reflect upon and honor the cause of labor for which it was created. This editor also paid a high compliment to the leaders of organized labor stating in his editorial; “The organized labor movement of the country has during the past quarter of century educated men along economic lines to such a degree that many of the men who work for a daily wage are as well informed as college professors of political economy on their hobby, and experience in their organizations and at agriculture meetings has made many of them public speakers of unusual ability. Generally it is from these men that the Labor Day orator is chosen.” [141] Quoting one who was once high in the councils of labor; “ Labor, though as old as man himself, has no history-that is to say, it has no past to commemorate. Its grand achievements have been absorbed and have become an indistinguishable, though by far the greater, part of the history of the world. Its millions of heroes have fallen at their places after lives of honorable and self sacrificing service, their names unknown and their praises unsung. The great edifices they have reared stone upon stone, the grand ships they have launched, the beautiful creations of their skillful hands stand as monuments to the genius of the lauded, “ captains of industry ” and only occasionally there comes forward a Schley to say a word of praise for “the men behind the guns”. [142]

This writer spoke of the labor laws enacted on the behalf of workers of America and bemoaned the fact that the conditions of workers had but little improved due to lack of the power of this legislation to induce the employers to improve wages or working conditions. “Victor Hugo said: ‘Labor is life. Thought is light.' With all thinking that labor what an irresistible power would be generated. It is not possible within the limits of this article to set out and classify the grievances and demands of labor. Its general complaint is against the unfairness, which characterizes the division of the products of its efforts. Low wages, the hours of a day's labor and lack of employment are the storm centers of its agitation. It claims that only in exceptional cases does the wage paid bear any necessary relation to the value of the product; but that in almost every instance what Ricardo called ‘the iron law of wages' is the determining factor. This law proclaims that the laborer is given from the product just sufficient to enable him to live, work and perpetuate his species, and the labor advocate declares that competition among laborers enforces this law, and must inevitably, except where temporarily thwarted by combinations of workers, continually lower the standard of living. In support of this contention we are invited to witness the vast fortunes accumulated by the successful captains of industry, the immense wealth of a very few on the one hand and the poverty of the many on the other. Relatively at least the facts support the claim that the rich are growing richer and the poor poorer. [143] It does not satisfy the man who has labored almost a lifetime helping to add to the riches of ‘the most prosperous country on the globe' while his own condition has not improved, but rather grows worse as he ages, to tell him that he is much better off than those of his class in some other country. [144]

This writer was quite eloquent on the subject of labor and had more to say worth repeating. “The labor movement of America, which speaks to the world on Labor Day, has much to be proud of and little to blush for. It has made better workmen and better citizens of its adherents. It teaches morality and sobriety. It makes men better husbands, fathers and sons. It was the first to enunciate the principle of equal pay for equal work regardless of sex. It has been the never wavering friend of the sweated children of the tenements. To it belongs the credit of inaugurating and forcing to a successful issue the demand of an improved ballot. It stands for honesty and purity in public affairs, and its political demands have the support of the wisest and best men of our time. [145]

Summing up, the author spoke of the time when labor would be treated as an equal and be given its' place of honor in society. This writer questioned whether it would occur at the onset of the millennium, ending with a question mark! I echo that comment, only adding yet another 100 years to the date! Labor and unions still fight for most of the same issues under most of the same conditions. Let the work continue.

Second Labor Day under the AFL Central Labor Union Body of La Crosse

The Brewers Union Local 81 celebrated the day by marching to the Shooting Park at nine in the morning of September 3, 1900. Many unionists, due to much labor unrest, putting an answer to the eloquent speaker Joseph Buchanan of the previous year, did not commemorate the day. The quiet of La Crosse laborers was contrasted with the activity of Labor Day unionists in Chicago. Governor Teddy Roosevelt and Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan were on hand to speak to the Labor Day parade marchers there. Speaking of labor Roosevelt said; the performance should square with the promise if the good work is to be done in the industrial and political world. Candidate Bryan spoke of the condition of the worker of 1900, saying, “The men who work for wages can, by throwing their votes on the one side or the other, determine the policy of this country. They need not march in parades: they need not adorn themselves with the insignia of any party, but on election day their silent ballots can shape the destiny of his nation, and either bring the government back to its ancient landmarks or turn it into the pathway followed by the empires of the old world.” [146]

Another Early La Crosse Union

Coopers International Union Local No. 85 was begun in 1900. These craftsmen were employed by the brewing industry in La Crosse and hand-made the barrels and kegs for all the beer manufactured by the various brewers of the city. [147]

Formation of two early La Crosse Unions

The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers Local Union No. 374 founded in 1901 when a small group of tradesmen formed Local 374 for painters, decorators and wall-paper hangers. They secured wages of 25 cents per hour and a 10-hour workday in 1901.

The Beer Bottlers Local No. 247 was chartered on March 4, 1901 in La Crosse. It began with 18 members whom were employed at the Gund Brewery in La Crosse, and of course whom were employed in the bottling department there. Soon, afterwards this also unionized the bottling departments of the other breweries local. The first president of this local was William Wise and the first secretary was John Volves. [148]

AFL Central Body Created as The La Crosse Trades and Labor Council

While the facts are somewhat obscured by a lack of documentation, evidence weighs heavy enough to declare that the first AFL labor body died from lack of support and or collective activity on its own behalf. For in early 1902 La Crosse Unionists applied for a new charter.

The Central Labor Union leaders having secured the first charter in 1897, held a meeting at the Union Hall located at 10 th and Mississippi streets on February 7, 1902 to discuss forming a new labor group. Ten local unions sent delegates to this meeting. Temporary officers were chosen for the new Council. They were John Krisner, President, Paul Utermoehl, Vice President, Henry Kowlake, Secretary, Benjamin Neurater, Treasurer and as Trustees, John Voves, Albert Major and P.T. Brady. A committee consisting of Paul Utermehl, Peter Louck and Henry Kowlake, were selected to compose the bodies' by-laws.

A letter from Mr. Frank Weber; general organizer for the AFL in Milwaukee, was read. Mr. Webber stating he would hold meetings in La Crosse on March 10, 11 and 12, to assist the unions in forming a labor body. Peter Utermehl and H.G. Schauland were picked to serve as a press committee for the Council. A meeting for the newly formed body was scheduled for February 21. [149] Paul Uttermohl was to be the general union organizer for the city of La Crosse, was the outcome of the meeting of February 21. Uttermohl was a member of the Typographical Union of La Crosse. [150]

A local reporter for the Chronicle spotted several union leaders on the street on March 3 and interviewed them about the upcoming labor meetings. They told him that La Crosse would soon be one of the strongest labor cities in the tri-state area. Over the preceding five weeks, at least five new unions were formed in La Crosse. The existing unions were reported to be the Cigar makers, Plumbers, Tailors, Brewery hands, Coopers, Brick and Stone Masons, Typographical, Carpenters, Plasterers and Paperhangers. Several more were in existence as well, it was reported. The arrival of Mr. Webber was expected to induce the Iron Workers, Molders and Clerks into the ranks of unionized employees as well. [151]

American Federation of Labor organizer, Frank Webber of Milwaukee, arrived in La Crosse on the morning of Thursday, March 6 and helped reestablish the labor movement within the city. Scheduling meetings on March 7,8 and 9 a Friday, Saturday and a Sunday. The Friday and Saturday meetings were held in the evening in the Union Hall, which was located over the John Malin's Saloon at 204 South 4 th Street. The Sunday afternoon meeting was held at the Gateway City Hall. Addresses were given in German and English during these meetings. [152]

He had been conducting organizing meetings in Madison prior to coming to La Crosse. The AFL had charged him with firing up the workers of Wisconsin and enlarging the union movement of the state. He succeeded! On Friday, holding forth above Malin's Saloon, Mr. Weber inspired the unionists of La Crosse into forming a new labor body. At an open meeting unionism in general was discussed and offers made to assist any workers interested in forming unions here in the city. Then the old AFL affiliated locals remained and went into closed session to plan chartering and to elect officers for the Council. [153]

These unionists applied to President Gompers for a charter on March 15, 1902.

The unions that formed the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council were the Cigar-makers Local 61, Brewery Workers Local 81, Typographical Local 448, Tailors Local 66, Beer Bottlers Local 247, Coopers Local 85 and Painters Local 374. [154] The first delegates to represent the founding unions of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council were: 1. Henry Kowalke, A. Major and Charles Blye of the Cigar-makers, 2. Charles Menninger, Otto Martin and Gilbert Shophner of the Coopers, 3. Herman Schauland, Frank Liesenfeld and Tom Caffery of the Printers, 4. R.E. Kelly, A.J. Ender and Mat Kjos of the Painters and Decorators, 5. Joseph Verchota, A.L. Kubal and O. Rassmusen of the Tailors, 6. Jake Schaller, Ben Newsatter and Louis Tuma of the Brewery Workers, and 7. John Voves, William Weis and Thomas Walchuck of the Beer Bottlers. At this initial formation of the labor body, each affiliate seated three delegates.

Of these seven founding unions of organized labor of La Crosse, none exists today! Save the printers union, which still has a membership, employed by Inland Printing Company of La Crosse and the Painters and Decorators which is now an affiliate of the International Painters and Allied Trades Union. The tailors are gone, along with the cigar-makers. As are the beer bottlers and coopers, having been absorbed into the brewery workers union many years ago. The brewery workers union was absorbed into the Teamsters International union in 1970 and is not affiliated with the current labor council. It now is known as Local 1081 [155] of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The members of this union however are still employed at the same brewery, but the Stroh Brewing Company of Detroit, Michigan now owns it.

Clothes makers of today, are far too often children and young women working for paltry wages in foreign and domestic sweatshops. Cigar-makers are a craft of the past. The last cigar manufacturer ceased making cigars in La Crosse in 1945. The Pamperin Company of La Crosse continued selling chewing and plug tobacco until the business sold out in 1986. Coopers likewise, beer bottlers, were replaced by automatic machinery and the printing industry is fairly unionized and a part of the global corporate holding scheme of business. The minutes of the first meeting of the newly chartered Trades and Labor Council indicate the usual order of business for a new group. Copies of the By-laws and Constitution were the matter of a resolution and they were motioned to be purchased. Mr. O'Brien was to be invited to the next meeting to swear in the officers. The delegates adjourned until April 5. [156]

A.J. O'Brien called the April 5 meeting to order and initiated all the officers. Mr. Schaller was unanimously elected the President; Vice President Uttermoehl resigned and was replaced by Mr. Charles Minninger. The other officers remained the same. O'Brien then presented the AFL charter to the Council and gave a talk. A circular regarding a boycott by the garment workers was introduced and a committee was nominated to investigate the case. A motion was approved to secure Birnbaum's Hall at the corner of 10 th and Mississippi Streets for the Council's next meeting. [157] At the May 15, 1902 meeting the delegates decided to accept the committee's recommendation to lease Funk's Hall at the corner of 3 rd and Jay Streets at the rate of ten dollars per month, for one year. This did not include chairs or lights. The Council had the right to renew for an additional two years. The committee was ordered to begin negotiations for the Hall. By June 13, 1902 the Council had a new organizer, a Mr. Blye. Mr. O'Brien having resigned. The Council directed the Secretary to write to President Samuel Gompers and ask him to revoke the certificate of organizer O'Brien and inform him, that the Council elected Mr. Blye unanimously. President Gompers replied quickly and his letter was read at the July 11 meeting of the Council. [158]

By the second year of its' existence the Trades and Labor Council had expanded with the addition of eight more unions. These were the electrical workers, retail clerks, musicians, carpenters, barbers, stage employees, horse-shoers and wood workers. Of these, the carpenters, electrical workers, and retail clerks/barbers, remain as active affiliates of the current labor council. Horse-shoers having disappeared, along with stage employees and to a degree, wood workers. The barbers and retail clerks having been absorbed into the United Food and Commercial Workers Union along with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of America. [159] Officers chosen for the Council at this closed meeting were as follows President George Krisner, Vice President Paul Uttermoehl, Secretary Henry Kowalke, and Treasurer Benjamin Neurauter . Also present at this initial chartering meeting was a Mr. A.J. O'Brien of Superior, Wisconsin a District Organizer for the AFL. Mr. O'Brien indicated to the press of the city that he was going to relocate his home here in La Crosse to serve the organized labor needs of the cities' workers. [160]

By the meeting of September 19, arrangements for the rental of Funke's Hall had been completed. Rent was to be $12.50 per month, and the lease was to be for three years, with the right to renew for another three at the same rate. The Council approved the report. [161]

At the October 3 meeting, the Charter from the State Federation of Labor had been received and was ordered framed. [162] The first death that a record exists in the minutes of the Council occurred at this time. The following resolution was placed in the minutes. Whereas; God in his infinite wisdom has deemed it wise to remove from our midst a friend, a brother, and a faithful worker for humanity in the person of Alex Weidmer and whereas; the deceased was earnest and conscientious in his endeavor to strengthen the fraternal ties that bind man to his fellow man. Therefore be it Resolved; That we the Trades and Labor Council extend to his family and kindred in this their hour of grief sympathy, and be it further Resolve; That our Charter be draped in mourning for the space of thirty days, a copy of these resolutions to be placed upon the records and a copy sent to his grief stricken family. [163] The minutes for the remainder of the year, demonstrate a concern over the falling off of attendance by many of the affiliates delegates and the struggling of the Councils' activists to find a method to boost attendance and interest. A common thread of the fabric of labor, that continues to this very day with our modern unions and their union members.

Labor and Trades Council Organizer, gets busy with unionization in La Crosse in 1902, Seven Unions Formed

It was a busy year for the workers of many La Crosse trades in 1902 and many new unions were added to the roles of the Council. In April the Carpenters formed a union beginning with 51 charter members. These workers formed Local 1143 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. [164] This Local is still thriving and going strong in the La Crosse area to date. On May 8, the barbers of La Crosse organized Local 21 of the Journeymen Barbers International Union of America. About 28 journeymen barbers were charter members when this union first formed. They were working long hours each day, laboring until midnight on Saturdays and until about 1p.m. on Sundays. The union started to work with the employers of town to change these conditions. [165] The next group of laborers to unionize was the musicians. On June 19, they organized with the following charter members; W.B Carter, Charles Pavek, Julius Hegenbarth, N.T. Wilcox, M. Langstad, F. Ponwar, E. Kreutz and Carl Rudolph. [166] In July, the Journeymen Horse-shoers Local 52 was chartered with about 20 original members. They placed a stamping on their work of J.H.U. as their union label on the shoes they made or repaired. [167] On September 12, 15 charter members formed Local 135 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. McNulty and Collins were instrumental in forming this local at this time. [168] The many breweries of the city spawned many taverns or saloons and the gentlemen that dispensed the beverages manufactured by the cities' breweries also formed their own union. On October 12, 7 bartenders chartered Local 479 of the Bartenders Union into existence. [169] The last union to be formed in 1902 was the retail clerks Local 640, which started with only 32 members. The first president of Local 640 was William Spears and the first vice president was William Schikorowsky. [170]

Telephone Strike by Operators, 1902

Hello Girls Are Still On Strike read the headline. The company found it almost impossible to replace these strikers, as their duties were not easily learned in a short time. The toll service in fact was abandoned, due to the lack of skilled labor. The downtown district being about the only place in town that telephone service was available during this labor dispute. The girls on strike stated their grievance was with Chief Operator Jennie Irwin, whom they complained did not treat them equally. Miss Irwin was anxious for peace and did not object to a petition that was passed around with the signatures of 150 businessmen, stating they enjoyed good service at the hands of the operators. The company ignored it. A complaint was lodged against Mr. William Reik, Vice President of the newly formed Lineman's Union, who for a time answered phones. [171] The company promised to take back all the strikers except the three leaders of the strike if the operators would just return they refused in a body. The union man that was accused of scabbing was found innocent because of the confusion of the labor dispute and the complaint was dropped. [172] This strike was of short duration and ended as quickly as it had begun.

Labor Day Parade of 1902

The parade of 1902 included two floats, one carrying the statue of Heileman's Gambrinus, today seen on the pedestal in front of the City Brewery. At the conclusion of the parade a ball game was arranged between the painters and the printers. Sack races, ladies' races, as well as nail driving contests also were offered for the crowd's enjoyment at this event. Music was hired for the day, with dancing in the Shooting Park Pavilion in the evening. [173]

The other float in the parade included the Coopers Union, with members building barrels. The Typographical Union had its' members attired in red and blue hats and neat linen dusters, all carrying canes. The Painters and Decorators Union had its' members also in white uniforms and carrying yardsticks for canes. The Cigar-makers' had an entry that carried a large cigar atop a covered wagon upon which was a sign promoting the sale of union cigars. The Horse-shoers each wore a large golden horseshoe and sweater that had horseshoes and the union number on each breast. [174]

The parade of 1902 was regarded as the most powerful demonstration of the Strength of unionism in the city by the Republican paper which stated; People of La Crosse, never perhaps, realized more fully than yesterday the full significance of Labor Day, that holiday set aside by law expressly for the working man. The day was more generally celebrated in La Crosse yesterday than ever before. The procession was longer, the marchers looked sleeker, their uniforms and clothes were neater and better and lastly the number who participated was greater, than in the cities' history. Residents who failed to witness the elaborate display of organized labor, which trod the streets of La Crosse, on its holiday, are not aware of the length and breadth of the labor union. As one of the speakers at the grounds said, it needed just such a demonstration as was shown yesterday, to open the eyes of the populace. Bringing up the rear of the parade was August Erickson and his billposting wagon. He was perched atop the wagon in a large straw hat, holding on to his posting brush. At the Shooting Park, John F. Doherty spoke on the union and its' fight to ban child labor. He spoke of the American fight to demonstrate that all men were created equal, whether black, yellow, brown or white. Lastly he spoke of the fight to win the eight-hour day, and he cautioned that if the fight proceeded calmly and peacefully, it might yet be won. [175]

Three More Unions Formed in 1903

The International Association of Machinists Enterprise Lodge No. 546 was the next La Crosse union to be formed. On January 27, it began with charter members; Alois Swinzrod Sr., Jubert Tauver, Ben Nottingham, John J. Jensen, G.W. Graves, Carl Thurmo, Henry Kotsborski, Eddie Preschl, Julius Brabrant, Kerngan, John Reed, Frank Sommers, Ed Miller, W.A. Roth, Theodore Locke, Nick Jehlen, Frank Padesky, Louis R. Sundvey, Clayton Anderson, Anton Smarsty and Frank Petrosi. In March Local 293 of the Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America was chartered. It started with 20 members.

The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America, Gateway City Lodge No. 278 was chartered in April. It began with 28 charter members. These workers were the laborers that built and repaired all the various models of rolling stock used by the railroads of the city.

1903 Labor Day Parade

The 1903 parade was expected to be the largest seen in this part of the state. The primary speakers were to be Mayor William Torrance and John F. Doherty. [176] The number of men marching in the parade was put at 1,228 by actual count. The electricians had a float that had telephone poles upon which several linemen were at work putting up wire. Four horses drew this. Mayor Torrance was unexpectedly called to Chicago and did not speak. In St. Paul, Archbishop Ireland spoke to the Labor Day crowd and made the following remarks; “The wage earner has rights- right to a living wage; reasonable hours; more than even a living wage when circumstances and success warrant it. Wage earners have a right to combine, form trusts and syndicates and call them labor unions. Destruction of them produces that hateful individualism which would reduce the laborer to a mere clod, or piece of machinery. Labor-unions have given wage earners consciousness of their rights and done much to obtain higher wages and shorter hours.” The Archbishop also had a warning for the unions when he said; “I may say nothing has arisen for a long time in this country which has done more harm, in public estimation of labor unions than the condition that is prevalent at present in the large cities. Public opinion is favorably disposed toward labor. Let the wage earners ever strive to be reasonable, to ask what is right, but not ask what is wrong. Let them be patient, knowing that great reforms are never done in a day. Public opinion in America is omnipotent. [177]

Labor Day, 1904

The 1904 celebration of Labor Day included all the cities' unions, including those not affiliated with the Trades and Labor Council. The entire top half of the Sunday Chronicle was filled with news of the event. The history of the Trades and Labor Council was recounted and the value of the Council as a mediating body was explained. The make-up and operation of the Council was detailed and the number of unions affiliated was noted as being that of 32 unions with 96 delegates. The Councils' officers were listed as, President Bert Chandler, Vice President John Ray, Financial Secretary Louis Weigel, Recording Secretary Louis Weisbecker and Treasurer William Imhoff. The city contained another 3 unions that were not affiliated with the Council. The meeting place of the Council was that of Union Hall at 204 South 4 th Street. The change in jobs was noticed for it was stated that for every lumberjack or mill hand, there would be five craftsmen from other trades in the parade. [178] This parade was noted as having a large contingent of city workers, teamsters driving teams pulling sprinkler wagons, along with other vehicles. The dancing went on after the parade until two in the morning. [179]

Blacksmiths and Helpers Union No. 468 is chartered

John Rae's union was chartered in January of 1905 with 26 charter members enrolled. This union was made up primarily of the cities blacksmiths. The several of the cities' railroads employed most of these blacksmiths. Wages were 27 cents per hour in 1905. The workday was 10 hours long and they were paid straight time for any overtime they put in. Helpers were paid 16 cents per hour. [180]

Labor Day, 1905

The Trades and Labor Council advertised the parade throughout the coulee region for the first time. It was expected that thousands of additional spectators would be attracted to the city for the event because of this one-month advance advertising campaign. The parade would wind down State Street and end up at the Interstate Fair Grounds. [181] Also for the first time motorized vehicles would be included in the parade. They are those of the John Gund Brewery and the William Doerflinger Company. Again the officers of the Trades and Labor Council were printed in the local papers, President Bert Chandler, Vice President John Ray, Financial Secretary A. Weigel, Recording Secretary Louis Weisbecker, Sergeant at Arms Emil Hickel, Guide George Nagle and Trustees, A. Collins, A. Ruegg and John Florin. [182] Another note worthy item is denoted in the pages of the local press, Miss. Louise Wachsmuth a member of Printers Local 448 marched in the parade the only union sister in the entire rank and file of over one and one half thousand union brothers. [183]

Labor Day - 1906 Style

Business and industry closed their doors at noon in honor of labor on Monday. Some 1,500 union members paraded to the Interstate Fair Grounds and celebrated Labor Day. The officers of the Trades and Labor Council were now, President B. Chandler, Secretary I.A Weisbecker, William Panke Organizer, and William Goldsmith Parade Marshall. This day ended with a dance at Germania Hall. [184]

Woman Will Speak Here On Labor Day, ran the headline for 1907

Miss Alice Henry of Chicago to deliver an address on the conditions of unions. Purported to be one of the best-known labor advocates in the entire country, she was scheduled to give a speech titled, “Economic Conditions of Labor Organizations”. A welcoming committee comprised of Miss. Lulu Wachsmuth of the La Crosse Typographical Local 448 and Miss. Della Meyers of the Glove makers Local would meet her. Also scheduled to speak were A.A. Bentley of the La Crosse Board of Trade and W.F. Wolfe. Another announced feature was that the Plasterers Union all would ride in automobiles in the parade. [185] Over two thousand union marchers were counted in the parade. An announcement also was given of the heavy burden of these Labor Day parades on the newer and smaller unions, which could not bear the cost of participating in this annual exhibition. The Electricians Locals' officers rode in an automobile and the Summit Stove Company had an attractive float with a flag draped display of stoves. Miss Henry spoke first, and spoke of the deprived condition of working women in the slums of Chicago. They earn barely a living wage and need the protection of unionism she told the audience. She continued with remarks about the auxiliaries that many women belong to, and the fact that women workers do not plan on a long career in industry and are thus taken advantage of by the wages offered them by employers. She spoke of the National Trade Union League, which exists to assist women in forming unions and affiliating with the AFL.

A. A. Bentley spoke also, and his speech praised both labor and capital and advised and cautioned both to approach the issues between them in a prudent and thoughtful manner. Motorcycle, horse and other races took up most of the afternoon and as usual a dance closed out the day's activities. [186] The Labor Day celebrations of 1908 were generally a repeat of 1907. Again a large crowd attended and speeches were offered. The La Crosse Hat Works products were wore by the Brewers Union in the parade and again, the Summit Stove Works had an interesting float. Thomas Feeley of Milwaukee was the featured speaker for the day. [187]

One Union Formed in 1907

Local 141 of the International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage Employees and Motion Picture Machine Operators of the U.S. and Canada was chartered on October 20. It had 15 charter members. This union had members working in the several theatres in town. [188]

The Feminine Touch Again Noted on Labor Day

The celebration of 1909 saw Miss Lulu Wachsmuth, of the Printers Local, riding in a rubber wheeled runabout pulled by a handsome black horse. Miss Wachsmuth was attired in a tailor made suit, topped with a large picture hat. The Painters Local had an entry, which listed the names of the union paint shops of the city on banners. The lady glove maker's union members rode in double-seated carriages in the parade. The last float had men dressed as women, doing their family washing, sponsored by the G. Heileman Brewery. After the parade, a large delegation of Winona toilers arrived to celebrate the day. The Council officers claimed the day as the most successful to date. [189] Another entry that gained much attention was one that depicted the theme of a popular song of the day, Everyone Works But Father , the float had a family busily working away at various household chores, while Father sat in a easy chair smoking a pipe. [190] The officers of the 1909 Trades and Labor Council were; President George Naegle, Vice President John Rae, Financial Secretary Louis A. Weigel, Recording Secretary A.E. Chandler, Treasurer Emil Hickel, Guide W. Michel, Sergeant at Arms Rudie Young and Trustees Johnson and Turner. The Organizer was John Rae. [191]

No More Speeches, Cry The Workers, 1910

This year's event would have no one scheduled to speak, in deference to the wishes of the union workers that expressed a desire to relax, rather than concentrate on speeches. So, the Trades and Labor Council acceded to these demands and scheduled additional entertainments instead. B.E. Libby, President of the Winona, Minnesota Trades and Labor Council was an honored guest of the event. [192] Motorcycle races, an indoor baseball game between Carpenters Local 1143 and Carpenters Local 1308, trotting and pacing races for horses, a tug-of-war between the Meat Cutters and Brewers, a 100 yard foot race between the Presidents of all the unions and a ladies' 100 yard foot race were scheduled for the day. Not slighting the youngsters, a pie eating contest for boys as well as an apple-eating contest were also on the agenda. For the girls a potato race was planned. Dancing once again, being the event finishing out the evening at this years' Labor Day celebration. [193]

A detailed printed Labor Day report exists for this celebration and gives an interesting accounting of the day's proceeds and activities. Beer sales accounted for most of the monies taken in. The event took in $1,281.69, beer sales accounting for $587.95 of that total. Raffles for coal, and other prizes took in $124.65, while candy sales and raffles took in an astonishing $269.44. Beer for this event was purchased from the Heileman, Michael, Erickson, Gund, and Bartl breweries. Soft drinks were purchased from the La Crosse City Bottling Works and the Gateway City Bottling Works. Candy was bought from the Funke Candy Company, the La Crosse Cracker and Candy Company and the Kratchwil Candy Company. A list of the hired bartenders for the day shows that Knozoski, Fritz, Hock, Olson, Wanner, Weisbecker and Petrick received wages for their work. Mrs. Jennie Spangler was paid for working in the kitchen during the celebration. After adding up all the expenditures ($870.98) a profit of $410.71 was reported to the membership at the October meeting of the Council. [194]

Unionization of 1910

Two charters were granted in 1910. On October 17, the Boot and Shoe Workers Union chartered Local No. 468 in La Crosse. International General Organizer, Charles E. James of St. Paul, Minnesota, organized it here. It began with only 10 members. It was a rebirth of the craftsmen who made up La Crosse's first union, which was covered earlier in this work. The other charter granted was a re-chartering of Electrical Workers Local 135, and it occurred on May 20. Once again 10 charter members formed Local 135 due to a spilt in the Carpenters Brotherhood Union. Again it was McNulty and Collins. This was a mixed local with both inside and outside linemen as well as telephone workers.

Second Wisconsin Federation of Labor Convention To Be Held In City, 1911

The Wisconsin Federation of Labor's 19 th annual convention was held in La Crosse in July of 1911. This would prove to be quite an interesting convention for both La Crosse and Wisconsin unionists. The proceedings were scheduled to last four days, July 19, 20, 21 and 22. The site of the convention was the Knights of Pythias Hall on the north side of town. The agenda of the opening morning included speeches by Trades and Labor Council President Theodore Strauss, Mayor John Dengler, C.E. James of St. Paul (an Organizer for the International union of Boot and Shoe Workers of America), and welcoming remarks by Frank J. Webber of the Federation. La Crosse unionist John Rae was selected to introduce these speakers. [195]

When the convention convened on the morning of July 19, fifty-one delegates were in attendance. Of these fifty-one unionists, fourteen were from La Crosse unions. [196] The International Organizer of the Boot and Shoe Workers Union, C.E. James spoke to the convention and heaped praise on the Wisconsin unions. He made the statement that the workers of Wisconsin purchased more union label bearing shoes and boots than any other state in the nation. Standing committees were also selected and Frank Prellwitz of the Glove Workers of La Crosse was chosen to serve on the Resolutions Committee along with Thomas Zick of Watertown Charles Burhop of Sheboygan and Charles Schurr of Milwaukee. There was one additional delegate on this committee. It was a delegate from the News-writers Union Local 9 of Milwaukee named Carl Sandburg. [197] At eight in the evening the convention reconvened, Frank Webber spoke and said “Comrades and Fellow Trade Unionists: Another year in the annuals of organized labor of Wisconsin has come and gone... ...When the men and women that toil for wages realize that Trade Unionism is a living, throbbing protest against existing social conditions-against the avarice and soulless greed-the capitalist class, that thinks of its joys and wantonly filches the years from it that robs childhood that ought to be spent on the playground, and places it in the factory to be sweated into profits...” He also spoke on the subject of women in labor and said, “...It is to the interest of society that the weak and defenseless should be protected against the avarice of the strong... The employers of woman labor say they are adults and why should they be classed with children? Our answer as trade unionists it, that it is to the interest of society that female labor should be limited so as not to injure the motherhood and family life of a nation...” The private detectives used to destroy strikes met with a few words also, “...One of the foulest and blackest stains upon the pages of American history is the devilish work of the private, or corporation detectives. In no other civilized country would they be tolerated...” [198] The convention convened again on the second day at 9:30 a.m. Secretary Treasurer Fred Brockhausen gave his report. In it he listed the unions that had affiliated with the State Federation during the year. Nine La Crosse unions were listed, being those of Locals 448, 135, 1143, 21, 12, 640, 293, and 519. They representing the typographical, electrical, carpentry, barbers, garment, clerk, painters, meat cutters and streetcar employees respectively. Brockhausen also gave a legislative report and spoke on the nation's first workman's compensation law that had just been enacted by the Wisconsin legislature. He noted that the prime movers of this bill were; Senators Albert Sanborn of Ashland and John Blaine of Boscobel and Assemblymen Taylor Freye of Eau Claire; all republicans . Surprisingly he stated, “The democrats, almost to a man, acted as obstructionists in this entire matter.” The convention recessed at 2p.m. after the completion of the report.

Reassembled at 2p.m. the convention heard from the committee on building and trades and adjourned after their report. [199] The delegates were then taken on an automobile tour of the city from six until eight o' clock and then finished the day with a banquet at the Hotel Doering. [200]

The third day of the convention began with an address by the Wisconsin Commissioner of Labor, J.D. Beck. He discussed the recent labor legislation that created an Industrial Commission for Wisconsin. Assistant Commissioner of Labor, Taylor Freye spoke next on the Workmen's Compensation Bill. Republican Assemblyman, J.E. Connell of La Crosse, followed these gentlemen and spoke about both matters to the convention. Frank Weber closed out the discussion on the subject. Then the convention paused until the afternoon of the day. Several resolutions were discussed when the convention took up business again, and quickly moved on the Committee on Resolutions of which Sandberg was a leading member. The first matter addressed by this committee was number five; it dealt with the issue of the arrest of the McNamara brothers of Los Angles, which happened in Indianapolis, Indiana by private detectives. Delegate Sandberg's socialism influenced the wording of the resolution which

included the following text: Resolved, That we condemn all private detective agencies or associations for the fact that they contain a large proportion of thugs, spies, bloodhounds, conspirators and conscienceless sleuths of the blackest kind, who will carry out deeds to obtain the all mighty dollar; be it further Resolved, That we hereby serve notice on the Merchants and Manufacturers; Association or any other organization composed of the profit-taking class, that the organized workers of Wisconsin are just as determined to fight for labor's rights-as they are to crush and enslave labor; be it further Resolved, That we appeal to the working-class of America to be on the alert with a view to prevent any attempt by the exploiters of labor in California to stage at Los Angeles any reproduction of the famous judicial headhunter's dance enacted at Chicago a quarter of a century ago;... Resolution number nine dealt with prison labor in Wisconsin and Sandburg and the committee wrote strong language on this subject also, saying in part, Whereas, We recognize in the following report a humane, intelligent and advantageous treatment of the offenders of the laws. Number 9 [201] , Whereas, The State of Wisconsin is still dealing with its prison problem under the shameful contract system-a-killing-sweatshop system of making stocking and overalls, whereas private persons, not citizens of the state and members of the prison labor trust, make enormous profits-receiving the prison labor with housing, clothing, attendance and machine power, all thrown in for 65 cents per day, in return for which the prisoners must turn out 75 pairs of stockings per day at the state prison, resulting in a deficit to the state of $30,000 annually; and Whereas, Such prison products at best are of an inferior grade and are palmed off on the public family mainly in the Western states under catchphrase brands; therefore be it Resolved, By the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, in its nineteenth annual convention assembled, that we emphatically protest against any long term renewals of the state prison labor contract before so authorized by the 1913 session of the State Legislature; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be mailed to the governor of the state and the State Board of Control. Signed, Theodore Zick, Carl Sandburg, Charles Burhop, Frank Prellwitz and C.J. Schurr. The Resolution was adopted by the convention.

The next resolution offered by the Resolution Committee and undoubtedly influenced by newspaperman Sandberg, was Number 12, which treated the press of Wisconsin and its treatment of labor. It read, Whereas, Organized Labor is at the present time facing the most cunning attack ever yet undertaken for the purpose of destroying the labor movement; and Whereas, the National Civic Federation, The National Manufacturer's Association and state and city organizations of employers hostile to unions and unionism, are carrying on a steady campaign of misrepresentation, wrong information, lies and half-truths; and Whereas, The daily newspapers owned and controlled by the capitalist press constitute a weapon for attacking labor day after day without cessation, and in the face of these attacks and their effect on public opinion, organized labor is helpless to make full reply; and Whereas, The weekly paper which is today the official organ of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor has made a splendid record as a voice of labor, a defender of working class rights, and as a recorder of important news or organized labor not published elsewhere; and Whereas, It is now proposed that this weekly paper be issued as a daily paper to become a steady, daily influence over the whole State of Wisconsin, fighting the battles of

organized labor at all points; and Whereas, It will powerfully help to educate the public to buy label goods; And Whereas, It will present to the people of Wisconsin day after day all the facts and reasons connected with shorter hours, higher wages, and better conditions, which facts and reasons are today suppressed and shut out from the columns of the Wisconsin daily capitalist press; And Whereas, It will fight hard every day of the week against child labor, against vicious factory conditions; and Whereas, In case of strike in any city of Wisconsin, it will stand ready to furnish special strike editions giving the people of that city the union side of the case; And Whereas, It will stand for each and every one of the planks of the economic platform of the American Federation of Labor; And Whereas, It will be a daily challenge to the misstatements, the crafty half-truths, and the outright falsehoods of the daily capitalist press; And Whereas, It will at all times throw its full support for all measures in city council, state legislature and national congress, for the benefit of organized labor and the entire working class, at every opportunity, showing to the unorganized workers the power and wisdom of organization; And Whereas, Bonds are offered for sale by the Social-Democratic Publishing Company at ten dollars each, the funds so obtained to apply on the establishment of this daily newspaper for the advancement of organized labor; Now Therefore Be It Resolved, Ten bonds, amounting in total to one hundred dollars, be purchased by the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor from such available funds as the Executive Board may direct. This resolution was accepted and adopted by the delegates. [202]

The delegates adjourned after this last resolution and had their evening meals. Then they prepared for a river excursion on the Mississippi River. Boarding two large launches, the delegates rode up and down the river for some time that evening. [203]

On Saturday, the last day of the Convention, the delegates wrapped up official business and turned to the good and welfare portion of the Convention. Under this point of business, Carl Sandburg spoke at some length on the subject of the antagonism of the public press towards the labor movement. This was reported in the La Crosse press; Carl Sandburg, representing the newspaper writers; union of Milwaukee, followed with s speech in which he said that labor news, when it harmed corporations, is never reported but suppressed by the capitalists behind the publications, reported the La Crosse newspaper, The Leader Press of July 22, 1911.

The year closed out after this successful convention of labor, with a decision by the Labor Day Committee of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council to find another location for the 1911 Labor Day event due to the cost of using the fairgrounds. The old sharpshooters park on the Mormon Coulee Road at the south end of West Avenue was the location chosen. [204] AFL President, Samuel Gompers had an article on the subject treated in the local press, as did Terrence Powderly and International Officer J.D. Cowper of the Carpenters. Many famous quotes were cited also, such as that of Homer; Labor Conquers All Things, Lowell, Blessed are the horny hands of toil, and Elizabeth Browning, Get Work, Be sure it's better than what you work to get. Gompers' article detailed the eight-hour day movement and the need for such an arrangement for all workers. Powederly's article told of the beginnings of Labor Day and Cowper made a case for the value of union trained skilled labor in the building and trades industry. [205] The Labor Day celebration utilized many tents set up in the shooting park, and several thousand citizens were reported to have attended the event during the day. An addition to the scheduled events was a bowling alley, which was set up in the park for the day. Mr. James of the Boot and Shoemakers Union spoke again. A dance closed out the day as had became customary. [206]

Birth of the Teamsters in La Crosse, 1911

The Teamsters were first organized in La Crosse in 1911 by La Crosse Trades and Labor Council organizer, John Rae. The charter members were; A.J. Hardie, C.J. Peterson, A. Johnson, John Harnish, Theodore Smith, O. Dansberry, O.H. Olson and Fred Roher. These Teamsters delivered the ice and coal throughout the city and local area. [207]

[130] This Labor Body still operates today in La Crosse, as the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO Council, 1920 Ward Avenue, Suite 2, La Crosse, WI 54601-6761; President Terry L. Hicks, Vice-President Mike Koziara, Financial Secretary/Treasurer Bridget Flood, Recording Secretary Mary Von Ruden, Sergeant At Arms Brian Inglett, Guide Beverly Brower, Webmaster Bill Brockmiller, Executive Board Members; Milt Tyler, Bill Rudy, Dean Rink, Denise Grover, and Kurt Randorf.

[131] La Crosse Daily Press, January 18, 1897

[132] La Crosse Morning Chronicle, January 20, 1897

[133] La Crosse Daily Press, February 2, 1897

[134] Copy of application for certificate of affiliation, in author's possession, received from the George Meany Memorial Archives, Silver Springs, Maryland, Lee Sayrs, Archivist, 1997

[135] Phillippi's City Directory, 1897. James Trane went on to found the La Crosse Trane Company, one of La Crosse's largest employer's of union workers.

[136] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, June 15, 1897

[137] La Crosse Daily Press, La Crosse Daily Leader and Republican, La Crosse Daily Chronicle, June 14, 1898

[138] Official proceedings of the Sixth Annual Convention of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, June 14, 15, 16, 1898. From Wisconsin AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee, WI

[139] La Crosse Daily Press, June 15, 1898, Front Page

[140]

[141] Ibid. September 4, 1898

[142] Ibid.

[143] My emphasis

[144] Contributed by Joseph R. Buchanan, La Crosse Morning Chronicle, September 4, 1898

[145] Ibid.

[146] La Crosse Daily Press, September 3, 1900

[147] , La Crosse Labor Review, page 50, 1917

[148] La Crosse Labor Review, page 46, 1917

[149] La Crosse Chronicle, February 8, 1902

[150] La Crosse Chronicle, February 22, 1902

[151] La Crosse Chronicle, March 4, 1902

[152] La Crosse Daily Press, March 6, 1902

[153] Ibid.

[154] Annual Labor Review, La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, 1941

[155] Now disbanded and merged with IBT Local 695, brewery Teamster union members are employees of the City Brewing Company, La Crosse, Wisconsin

[156] Minutes of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, Page 1, Book 1. These minutes were mistakenly left behind in 1980, when the AFL-CIO moved to 1920 Ward Avenue, La Crosse from the old labor temple building, which had been sold to the La Crosse Telephone Company. They are currently held as archives at the Area Research Center, U.W.L. Library in La Crosse.

[157] Ibid. Pages 1 &2, Book 1

[158] Minutes of the Trades and Labor Council, Pages 7,8,9 and 13,14 and 15

[159] La Crosse Labor Leader, AFL, 1958

[160] La Crosse Daily Press, March 8, 1902

[161] Minutes of the La Crosse Trades and Labor Council, Pages 34-39, Book 1

[162] Minutes of the Trades and Labor Council, Pages 40,41,42, Book 1

[163] Minutes of the Trades and Labor Council, Pages 45-48, Book 1

[164] Labor Review, page 44, 1917

[165] Labor Review, page 38, 1917

[166] Labor Review, page 50, 1917

[167] Labor Review, page 42, 1917

[168] Labor Review, page 36, 1917

[169] Labor Review, page 54, 1917

[170] Labor Review, page 32, 1917

[171] La Crosse Morning Chronicle, August 27, 1902

[172] La Crosse Morning Chronicle August 28, 1902

[173] La Crosse Morning Chronicle, August 30, 1902

[174] La Crosse Weekly Argus, September 6, 1902

[175] La Crosse Daily Republican and Leader, September 2, 1902

[176] La Crosse Weekly Argus, September 12, 1903

[177] La Crosse Morning Chronicle, September 8, 1903

[178] La Crosse Sunday Chronicle, September 4, 1904

[179] La Crosse Chronicle, September 6, 1904

[180] Official Labor Review, page 22, 1917

[181] This is the now the present day site of the UWL football field.

[182] La Crosse Sunday Chronicle, September 3, 1905

[183] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 5, 1905

[184] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 4, 1906

[185] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, August 30, 1907

[186] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 3, 1907

[187] La Crosse Argus, September 12, 1908

[188] Labor Review, page 42, 1917

[189] La Crosse Daily Chronicle, September 7, 1909

[190] La Crosse Argus, September 11, 1909

[191] La Crosse Argus, September 4, 1909

[192] La Crosse Argus, September 10, 1910

[193] La Crosse Argus, September 3, 1910

[194] Labor Day Report, from the files of the La Crosse County Historical Society, Printers Union Records folder

[195] La Crosse Leader Press, July 18, 1911

[196] 1911, Proceedings of the Nineteen Annual Convention of The Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, Library of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, 6333 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Joseph Bruha, Carpenters Local 1143; Thomas Daley, ATU Local 519; M. Jansky, Painters and Decorators Local 374; Henry Kessler, Beer Bottlers Local 247; Alex Major, Cigar-makers Local 61; William Mitchell, Meat Cutters Local 293; Frank Prellwitz, Glove Workers Local 12; H. Rogentin, Brewery Workers Local 81; Edward Rossberg, Journeymen Barbers Local 21; George Schwanzle, Brewery Workers Local 81; L.A. Weisbecker, Typographical Local 448; Theodore Strauss, Electrical Workers Local 135; O.D. Wilbur, Blacksmiths Helpers Local 468; and A.J. Warner of the Bartenders Local 479

[197] 1911, Proceedings of the State Federation of Labor Convention, Wisconsin AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

[198] 1911, Proceedings of the State Federation of Labor Convention, Wisconsin AFL-CIO Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

[199] Ibid footnote above

[200] La Crosse Leader Press, July 20, 1911

[201] Then copied into the resolution was a 1884 report by the Commissioner of Labor for the state of New York, titled; Why The Contract System Failed . The report pointed out the reasons moral training of offenders was to be preferred over using them to generate profit for private enterprise contractors.

[202] Proceedings of the 1911 Wisconsin State Federation of Labor, Wisconsin AFL-CIO library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[203] La Crosse Leader Press, July 22, 1911

[204] La Crosse Argus, August 5, 1911

[205] La Crosse Argus, September 2, 1911

[206] La Crosse Argus, September, 1911

[207] Labor Review, page 22, 1917