The news & observer., 1897-08-31
THE LABOR LEADERS
There Were 88 Delegates
From ID Organizations.
SOME FIERY SPEECHES
RA1UHFORD ADVOCATES AK
TRBMH MEASURES.
WANTS A SPECIAL SESSION or CONGRESS
Mr., Ratchford Did Not Believe in the Use o.
Winchesters as Advocated by Mr.. Pat
Reilly--Mr. 0ebs Was Present
But Silent.
But Silent.

ReilIy--Mr. Debs Was Present
But Silent
st. Louis, Aug. 30.-The conference
of labor leaders which begun this morn
ing, had a busy day. What the confer
ence has accomplished, if anything, is in
doubt
! 1t is not believed the leaders have at
tanned any definite result. and in fact the
President of one of the National Organ
izations said tonight that the failure Of
the conference was a forcgone conclu-
sion
Il should feel very much chagrined."
said this gentleman, "if | had any part
of the convening of this conference"
The committee on resolutions and
plans of action was at work all after
noon and evening, and tonight Mr.. Sow
ereign announced that they had form
ulated n plan but declined to give any
details. The platform, it is expected.
will be submitted to the convention to-
morrow morning. The fourteen differ
ent organizations represented in the con-
ventiOn make an unwieldy body and it is
evident that all of them cannot be salts
fed with a platform formulated by five
men representing as many branches of
lOrganized labor.
Mr. RatchfOrd'S plan of petitioning
President Mckinley to convene Congress
in extra session to enact measures pro-
viding for the settlement of the present
labor difficulties, or as he put it "to define
the rights of citizens if any," did not
meet with the approval he had hoped for,
and it is not believed the idea will be in
corporated in the platform.
Although present in the convention
all day Mr.. Debs did not speak, nor did
/ he put in an appearance at tO-night's
mass meeting where he was widely ad-
Yertised to make an address. He is
represented on the resolutions committee.
however. by Mr.. Berger and as he has
remained pretty close to the gentlemen
composing that committee. it is safe to
say his ''social Democracy" idea will be
represented.
| 1t is thought adjournment will be
reached some time tomorrow.
The only work accomplished at the
morning session was the naming of a
committee on credentials. This commit
tee made its report Immediately upon
|
afternoon session. 1t was shown that SO
delegates. representing the following
organizations, were represented.
United Mine Workers of America
The Social Democracy.
The American Federation of Labor
The Stone Cutters International I'm
ion.
brotherhood of Painters and Decora-
tors.
brotherhood of Bottle Blowers.
Building Trades Council of st. Louis
! The Patriots Of America.
International Brotherhood OF Track
Foremen.
The singleTax League of America.
Central Labor Council of Cincinnati
The international Typographical Un-
ion.
The Peoples party of Kansas, and
the Industrial Order of Freemen.
The report, after some discussion, was
adopted. 1t was decided, however, that
delegates be recognized as coming from
the partiular organization they represent
instead of the general body.
The report showed also the presence
of one woman delegate-Mrs. Mary Jones,
of Chicago, who represented the Social
Democracy. After considerable discus
sion the following committee on resolu-
tions and plan of action was named:
w. c.. Pearce, OF the miners; w. D..
Mahon, of the street railway men; Vic
tor Berger. of Milwaukee, who repre-
sents the Social Democracy, in whose
favor Mr.. Debs declined; G.. G. Glenn
ems, of Topeka, representing the Popu-
lists, and James II. Sovereign.
Mr.. Ratchford then took the floor. He
went over the miners strike from its
inception to the present day and dwelt
| particularly upon government by in
| junction"
| He pleaded for prompt actionand COM
| ing to the point of his argument, advo-
Gated a special session of Congress as
the best and in fact the only relief. II
| believe" said Mr.. Ratchford, ga special
session of Congress is necessary to de-
| fine the rights of the people of this
| country-if they have any. L believe if
| sufficient time were given the President
of the United States will call a special
| session of Congress to act on the matter
of injunctions and find means of relief
from the existing troubles in the labor
world.
"Tn case of REFUSAL" said Mr.. Ratch-
ford impressively, after an outburst of
cheering had subsided, sit will then be
time to consider more extreme measures.
I am in favor, if the President refuses
to call Congress together, of complete
paralysis. of business. believe then in
a sympathetic strike"
Mr.. Pat AO'Neill, of Rich Hill, Mo-,
who said he represented 1900 morgan
lied ''picks," favored labor revolution. |