The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-08-31
MEETING Of LABOR MEN
Plea for Prompt Action in Aid of
the Strikers.
A SESSION OF CONGRESS
Ratchiord Thinks Il Would Settle Things
Otherwise a Complete Paralysis of
Business-Big Sympathetic Strike
Sovereign Opposes the Plan.


of labor leaders. which began this
morning, had a busy day and tonight
The end is In sght. What the confer
ence has accomplished. II anything. is
IN doubt II lis not believed the leaders
have attained any definite result. and,
IN fact. the president of one of the ma
tional organization said the failure of
the conference was a foregone conclu-
sion. Il should feel very much cha
grined," said this gentleman. "if had
any part in the eonvening of this CON-
ference"
The committee on resolutions and
plan OF action was at work all after
noon and tonight, and this evening
sovereign announced that they had
formulated a plan. but declined to give
any details. The platform. II Is ex-
pected, will be submitted 10 the con-
vention tomorrow morning. The ID
dinerent organizations represented In
the convention represent diversity of
views, and IL Is evident that all of
them cannot be satisfied with n plat
form formulated by FIVE men repre-
senting as many branches of organized
labor.
Ratchford's plan of petitioning Presi-
dent Mckinley u convene congress i'm
extra session to enact measures provid-
ing for the settlement of the present
labor difficulties or, as he put IL, Ito
define the rights of citizens. II any"
did not meet with that approval he
had hoped for. and Il is not believed
the plank will he incorporated In the
platform.
Although in the convention all day.
Debs did not speak. nor did he put In
an appearance at the nights mass
meeting. where he Was widely adver-
tised To make an address.
He is represented ON the resolutions
committee however. by Mr.. Berger.
aud as he has remained pretty close TO
the gentleman comprising that commit
tee, IL Is safe 10 say his social democ-
racy" idea will be represented.
Chairman Steinbiss Of the local COM
mittee of arrangements called the con-
ference to order at 10 O'Clock. About
100 people were scattered about the hall.
Not all of them. however. We're dele
gates. Steinbiss suggested that as the
call for the convention had been issued
hurriedly and as many of the dele
gates were yet unadvised az 10 The
meeting place and hour, an adjourn
ment be taken Till II o'clock. He named
a committee 70 go To the hotels and
lulTul al ufletdttr ttiat tut 'pt>th-
tion Was about 10 assemble and a re-
cess was taken.
shortly after II O'Clock the conven-
tion was again called To order. W. Il.
Prescott. president OF the International
Typographical union, OF indianapolis
was chosen temporary chairman, and
w. 4. Pearce Of Columbus temporary
secretary. Prescott then appointed the
following committee on credentials. Mr.
Ratchford. James O'Connor Of the Ma
Chinists, Chicago. Grant Luce of the
81. Louis Central Labor organization.
j. r. Sovereign and w. ID. Mahon.
Considerable controversy arose over
the naming Of a committee on resolu.
lions. which. although the convention
was not yet permanently organized.
VAS moved by one of the delegates.
Delegate Sovereign shouted: I'm sick
and tired Of resolutions: this Is the
time for action. | move. Mr.. Chairman.
that the motion 10 appoint commit
tee ON resolutions be amended 10 read
'on resolutions and plan Of action
This brought out Hood of ams nd
ments and motions. but the whole mat :
ter was finally tabled and the meeting
adjourned until O'Clock.
The committee ON credentials made
it's report Immediately on the ass m.
bling OF the conference for Its after
noon session. II was shown that rs
delegates. representing the following
organizations. were pr sent United
Mine Workers of America Social Du-
mooracy. the American Federation of
Labor. the Stone Makers International
union. Brotherhood of Painters and
Decorators, Brotherhood OF Bottl"
Blowers. Building Trades council Of
~. Louis. the Patriots of America, the
Brotherhood Of Track Foremen. the
Single Tax league of America. Central
Labor council of Cincinnati. the Inter-
national Typographical union. the Peo-
pies party Of Kansas and the Indus
trial Order of Freedmen.
The report, after some discussion,
was adopted. II WAS ctded, however.
that delegates he recognized as conling
from the particular organization they
represent instead OF the geenral body.
The general report showed also. the
presence Of one woman delegate. Mrs.
Mary Jones Of Chicago. who represents
the Social Democracy. The temporary
organization was then made permanent
and the chairman read the call or the
convention.
II was moved and seconded that a
committee ON resolutions to be made
from one member from each organiza
tion be named. each delegation ID
chose their member. This was amend
ed by Delegate stephens OF Phlladei-
phia to read and plan Of action"
Mahon of Detroit OBJECTED 10 this
committee as unNieldy and said he was
perfectly satisfied TO leave the matter
of resolutions TO a committee of five
to he selected by the chair. He amend
ed theresolution Ia that effect
III you az" going into the resolution
business" said Mahon, you had bet
ter go home"
Mahon's amendment was carried ~
"A division. as was the amendment %
stephens. The chairman then name,
as the committee on resolutions AN,
plans of action W. q. Pearce ~
the miners. W. II. Mahon Of IA,
street railway nen. Victor Berger o
Milwaukee. who represents the socin
democracy. in whose favor Debs de
clined, q. 4. Clemens of Topeka. rep
resenting the populists. and James u
Sovereign.
Ratchford then took the loor. H.
went over the miners strike from M
Inception To the present day and dwell
particularly upon government by in
junction He pleaded for prompt az
tion. coming to the point of his argu
I ment. advocated special session -
congress as she hest. and in fact tn
only relief. 4 believe said Ratoh
ford. "a special session of congress I
necessary To- define the rights ~ TIA
, people cf this country II III. have abs