The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-08-31
Many Leaders Present and Yesterdays
Session a Busy One.
But IT'S FAILURE PROBABLE
Too Many Different and Conflicting inter-
ests Are kepfesented-Debs Refuses
Committee Appointment.

St. Louis August 3O.-The conference OF
labor leaders which began this morning
had busy day and tonight the end is
In sight. What the conference has ae-
compIished, If anything. is In doubt
1t Is not believed the leaders have at
taInei any defnate results and In fact
the president Of one Of the national or
ganizations said the failure Of the con-
ference was a foregoue conclusion.
Il should feel very much chagrined."
said this gentleman, III 1 mad any part
in the converting Of this conference"
The report OF the committee on credeu-
tials showed IS delegates. representing
the following organiza tons wore present:
United MIneworkers Of America, Social
democracy, American Federation Of La
Dor. Stone Cutters international Union.
Brotherhood Of Painters and Decrators.
Brotherhood Of Bottle Blowers. Building
Trades Council Of St Louis. Patriots Of
America. Brotherhood Of Track Foremen.
l'single Tax League OF America. Cen
trail Labor Council Of Cincinnati, Inter
national Typographical Union. Peoples
Party OF Kansas and Industrial Order Of
Freedmen.
The report after some discussion was
adopted It was decided. however. that
rhe delegates be recognized as coming
from the particular organization which
they represent instead Of the general
body. The general report showed also
the presence of one woman delegate. Mrs.
Mary Jones OF Chicago. who represents
the social democracy The chairman then
named as committee "On resolutions and
4 plan OF action" W. G. Pearce. of the
Miners: W. d. Mahon, Of the street
railway men; =. Berger Of Milwaukee.
who represents the Social Democracy, in
whose favor Mr.. Debs declined; G. C..
Clemens. of Topeka. representing the
popuIists 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
on "Governmenr by injunctions."
He pleaded for prompt action, and COM
ing 10 the point OF his arguments advo-
Gated special session of congress as the
best an in fact, only relief.
The committee on resolutions and of
action was at work all day and Mr.. Sow
ereign announced that they had formula
ted a plan. but declined to give any de-
tails. The platform it is expected will
be submitted to the convention tomorrow.
The fourteen different organizations
represented in the convention make an
unwieldy body and 1t is evident that all
of them cannot dissatisfied by platform
formulated by five men representing as
many branches of organized labor.
Mr.. Rathfords plan of petitioning Pres
idert Mckinley 10 convene congress In
Iextra session to enact measures provid-
ing for the settlement of labor difficulties.
or as he put it, Ito define the right OF
citizens. if any" die not meet with the
iapproval he had hoped for, and 1t is not
thought that the plank will be incorpor-
ated in the platform.
Although present in the conversion all
day. Debs did not speak. nor did he put
in an appearance at tonight's mass meet
ing, where he was widely advertised tc
malSe an address.
1t is thought adjournment will b'
re2ched tomorrow.