Evening journal., 1897-08-31
LABOR CHTEFSCONFER'
Representatives of Many Organi
zations Meet IN st. Louis.
TO CONSIDER COAL STRIKE SITUATION
Ratchford of the United Mine Worker,
Wants Mckinley to Call an Extra
Session Of Congress to Define
the Rights of strikers.

Session Of Congress to Define
the Rights of strikers.
st. Louis, Aug 31.-There are So &C.
credited delegates in the labor confer
ence now being held in this city for the
purpose of considering the coal strike
The report of the committee on creden-
tials showed that the following organi-
cations We're represented: United Mine
Workers of America, the Social Democ-
racy, the American Federation OF Labor
the Stonemakers' international union,
brotherhood Of Painters and Decorators
Brotherhood Of Bottle Blowers Building
Trades Council Of ST. Louis the Patriots
Of America, International Brotherhood
Of Track Foremen, the Single Tax
League Of America. Central Labor
Council Of Cincinnati. the international
Typographical union. the Peoples Party
Of Kansas and the Industrial Order OF
Freedmen.
The report showed also the presence
of one woman delegate. Mrs. Mary
Jones of Chicago. who represents the
Social Democracy.
w. B. Prescott. president Of the Ma
tional Typographical union OF Indian
apolis was chosen permanent chair
man and A. NJ. Pearce of Columbus,
O.. permanent secretary
on motion the chairman then named
az the committee on resolutions and
plan of action W c. Pearcc Of the
miners. W. ID. Mahon Of the street rail-
way men. Victor Berger Of Milwaukee,
who repres.snts the Social Democracy,
in whose favor Mr.. Debs declined; G. c.
Clemens OF Topeka. representing the
Popuists. and James r.. 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 ac-
ton and, coming to the point of his ar
pument, advocated a special session OF
! congress as the best and in fact the
/ only relief. II believe" said Mr.. Ratch-
/ ford. "a special session OF congress Is
/ necessary to define the rights Of the
| people OF this country-if they have
| any. 1 believe If sufficient time were
given the president Of the United
| States VIII call a special session of con-
gress to act on the matter of injunc-
tions and find means of relief from the
existing troubles in the labor world.
General Strike as last Resort.
In case Of refusal" said Mr Ratch-
| ford impressively after an outburst Of
cheering had subsided, lit win then be
time to consider more extreme meas
ures. / am in favor, If the president re-
fuses to call congress together, OF a
complete paralysis of business be-
lieve then In a sympathetic strike"
Mr. Patrick O'Neiu OF Rich Hill, Mo-,
who said he represented l500 unorgan-
lied picks" favored labor revolution.
He was socialist, he said, and believed
in the miners taking things I'm their own
hands If necessary. His fiery harangue
pleased the audience greatly.
Mr.. Sovereign put himself on record as
opposed to Mr.. Ratchford's plan. He
believed this would be the last con-
vention to be held under present condi-
tions and that the crucial test now
confronted organized labor
Mr. Mahon Of Detroit said resolution
committee was useless. The convention
should vote on Ratchfords proposition
and then go home. The power Of the
nation. he said. was in the courts, and
If anybody was TO be injured let it be
the courts. He was opposed TO Mr.
Ratchford's proposition.
Mr.. Mahon, as did his predecessor
took a fling at Senator Hanna, Mr
Mahon saying the president would have
TO get Hanna's consent to the convening
Of congress.
James NJ. Carson, president Illinois
miners, then recited at length the con-
dltlons confronting the miners Of his
state and said he believed his men
would be beaten in two weeks
kilograms Of greeting and protests
against government by Injunction
were received from the Populist exec
utive committee of the Sixteenth con-
gresslonal district Of Ohio. the German
Trades assembly of Philadelphia and
the Atlanta Federation OF Trades a
polite request to quit monl,oying and
strike for single tax on land values
was then read from the Youngstown
(O) single takers and the Talk went on
Mr. RatchfOrd took exception 10 Mr.
Carson's Statement that the Illinoi.
miners had lost their strike. He SAID
the miners were winning their strike
and Furthermore his men were not ask
ing this convention FOR aid They want
ed this gathering To eradicate If possi
sible. the power Of injunction. Takinl
a fling at Miner Pat Reilly, he said Z
man who advocated the use Of Win
chesters had no place in the conven
tion.
Down our way" said Mr. Ratchford
"miners don't know how TO handl'
guns"
Damage by Wind and Hail.