The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-30
Labor Leaders Gathering at st.
Louis for the Conference.
None Seem to Know What They
Are There For.
WHAT DEBS EXPECTS.
Predicts Some Decisive Action
by the Meeting,
But Can't Tell What it Will Be
No General Strike.

st. Louis, August 30.-E. V. Debs of
Terre Haute, Ind, NJ. D. Ratchford of
Columbus, o., and w. D. Mahon of De-
troit, were among the delegates to the
Labor convention who arrived this
morning and who registered at the La
clede. Mr.. Debs who is not a repre-
sentative of any organization comes on
the general invitation and will of course
give his advice if called upon.
''Of course you know I'm out of it to
certain extent" said Mr.. Debs this
morning. 'T am no longer affiliated
with any labor body but have come
simply as guest of the conference un-
der the general call"
Mr.. DebS would not venture an opin-
ion on the probable outcome of the con-
ference.
rs there any probability of sympa-
thetic strike ?" was asked.
Il hardly think so. In fact these del
egates are not empowered to order
strike. They can do more than re-
port back to their respective bodies, the
sense of the convention"
Government by Injunction" Mr..
Debs went on to say, "as eXemplified in
the great struggle of the miners, has
been carried to the extreme, and the peo-
pie are revolving. I expect the conven-
ton will take some very decisive ac-
ton in this matter
Mr. RatchfOrd has a plan which he
will proba bly, present to the conference
calling upon every working man and
woman in the country to contribute one
cent per day of his or her wgeS to a
fund for the relief of the striking min
ers. This money he thinks, will amount
to between $1,000 and $4,000 per day.
Part of this fund will be used to keep
men at work among the strikers in the
Pittsburg district where the operators
propose to start their mines with nom
union men. In other words the camps"
there will be maintained with the hope
of eventually influencing those now at
work to quit
Among the other arrivals of the morn
ing We're James O'Connell representing
the city branch of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor, Chicago; S. ]. Meserall
of the Industrial Council, Kansas City;
Victor L. Berger, with credentials from
the Social Democracy of Milwaukee and
Frederick F. Heath, representing the
street railway men of Milwaukee; w.
D. Ryan, vice president of the United
Mine Workers of Illinois; Jacob Taze-
laar, who comes from the brotherhood
OF painters, Chicago, and r. P. O'Neill,
Rich Hill, Mo, John Mitchell, Spring
Valley, ILL.,, George Wallace, Scammon,
Kan, and Joseph Pollard of Belleville,
ILL.,, all members of miners organiza-
tions.
Much disappointment is expressed at
headquarters this morning over the
non-arrivaI of Samuel GomperS but it
is believed he will yet put in an ap-
pearanee. 1t was reported last night
Mr.. Ratchford at Columbus and that he
would be present at today's meeting. 1t
is believed Mr.. Gompers will be in st.
Louis this afternoon or tonight.
AS to what the convention would do
none of the delegates seen this morn
ing was willing to forecast. There is no
denying the fact that the Social De-
mocracy' movement, headed by Mr..
Debs has a large following and it would
not be a surprise to see that new ven
ture gain control of the meeting. 1t is
known however, that an effort will be
made to amalgamate all labor bodies
represented and to this end a resolution
looking to the appointment of a general
conference committee will be presented
some time during the convention by Mr..
Steinbiss of st. Louis.
my idea" said Mr. Steinbiss this
morning is to have one or two dele
gates from each branch of organized
labor form a general conference COM
mittee. While I hardly think such
committee if appointed by the confer
ence will do anything at this meeting.
they will get together later. BY that
time our ideas will have crystallized
and some definite platform upon which
a general amalgamation of labor could
stand. would be formulated.It is bound
to come. We must be united
1t is not expected that the convention
will do anything today beyond perfect
ing organization and appointing COM
mittee on credentials.
Chairman Steinbiss of the local COM
mittee of arrangements called the labor
conference to order at 10 o'clock. About
100 people were scattered about the
hall not all of them, however, being
delegates Mr.. Steinbiss suggested
that as the call for the convention had
been issued hurriedly and as many of
the delegates were yet unadVised as to
the meeting place and hour, an ad
iournment be taken until IL o'clock. He
named a committee to go to the differ
ent hotel and inform delegates that the
convention was about to assemble, and
a recess was taken.
Shortly after IL o'clock the convention
was again called to order. Mr.. w. B.
Prescott, president of the International
Typographical union, of Indianapolis
was chosen temporary chairman and
w c. Pearce of Columbus temporary
secretary.
Mr. Prescott then appointed the fol-
lowing as a committee on credentials:
Mr. Ratchford, James O'Connor of the
machinists, Chicago; Grant Luce of the
ST Louis Central Labor organization,
J. r. Sovereign and w. D. Mahon.
Considerable controversy arose over the
which, although the convention was not
vet permanently organized, was moved
by one of the delegates. There were
amendments to the effect that the con-
vention adjourn until 1 o'clock and that
the hour be made o'clock, and in the
midst of this parliamentary tangle
Delegate Sovereign shouted: Il am
sick and tired of resolutions; this is the
time for action. I move, Mr.. Chair
man, that the motion to appoint a COM
rnittee on resolutions be amended to
read, ON resolutions and plan of ac-
This brought a flood of amendments
and motions, but the whole matter was
| finally tabled and the meeting adjourn
| ed until p. m, at which hour the re-
port of the committee on credentials
| will be presented.
When asked as to the truth of the