DUBUQUE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS

Being written

DUBUQUE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS. In one of its last efforts, the KNIGHTS OF LABOR led the efforts in forming the Dubuque Trades and Labor Congress, a citywide labor organization in July 1888. (1)

In 1899 the Congress proposed municipal ownership of the water works. (2) After hearing a presentation on the Somers tax system which was gaining in popularity around the nation, the members announced that they would probably support it if it were introduced here. (3) In 1922 the Congress suggested to the board of supervisors that bloodhounds be purchased to run down escapees county and city criminals. (4) In 1929 the Congress requested that the city council send letters to state and federal officials requesting that they work for appropriations to establish the 9-foot channel in the MISSISSIPPI RIVER at Dubuque, building of grain elevators at terminal points, and inclusion in an appropriations bill for funds to add an addition to the POST OFFICE in Dubuque. This was approved by the council. (5) The Trades and Labor Congress in 1937 introduced a resolution asking for a five billion federal housing program that would help ten or more Dubuque industries. (6)

An editorial in the Dubuque Herald in 1904 concerned the control of the Congress by socialists. This, according to the editorial, had led many of the older trade unions to withdraw from the organization. Socialists, it was stated, were more interested in strikes "if it takes all summer" than participating where "give and take must be the policy."

                Until his counsel had been rejected and settlement of the dispute (streetcar strike)
                made possible by any other terms than the complete surrender by the company on every
                point raised. (7)

1928 political poster. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Meetings in the early years were held at Eighhorn's Hall at 13th and Clay streets. (8) In 1915 meetings were held in the Labor Temple at 9th and Locust. (9) It was announced by officials of the Dubuque Trades and Labor Congress in 1934 that the second and third floors of the Facade Building would be renovated as a Labor Temple. (10)

The 1940 city council election pitted the Citizens Party against the Congress. In meetings with the Congress, Citizens Party asked that it be able to name two of the five individuals to be elected to the city council. A majority of delegates to the Congress at one point during a special meeting voted against the idea of demanding to name four instead of three names. Even Arthur M Bennett, a former president of the Congress, resigned from its committee believing the Congress position was unfair. (11) In 1940 Frank THOMPSON, Frank VAN DUELMAN, and Albert WHARTON were three of the five candidate for city council endorsed by the Congress.

See: LABOR MOVEMENT

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Source:

1. "A Strike of Type Stickers," Dubuque Daily Herald, May 10, 1891, p. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18910510&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. "City Council," Dubuque Herald, September 28 1899, p. 2

3. "Explains Somers System," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, October 7, 1913, p. 2

4. "Courthouse News," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 16, 1922, p. 5

5. "City Council Proceedings," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, December 2, 1929, p. 13

6. "Local Unions Seek Housing," Telegraph Herald, December 7, 1937, p. 3

7. "Repudiating the Socialists," Dubuque Herald, July 18, 1904, p. 4

8. "The Trades and Labor Congress," Dubuque Herald, June 12, 1900, p. 8

9. "Labor Congress Names Candidates," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, January 5, 1915, p 11

10. "Labor Temple Planned Here," Telegraph Herald, November 9, 1934, p. 13

11. "Election Information," Telegraph Herald, March 22, 1940, p. 2