The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-31

inc T'renldcnt TO Gall n epcclnt session OF
ConEress-views or Some OF tho Leaders.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 30.-Thc United Labor Con.
vention assembled at Masonic Temple this morn.
ing, with n number of labor leaders Of national
prominence present. The convention was called
for the purpose of dcvisinR a plan by which tho
strike OF the coal miners throughout tho coun.
try may be brought to a speedy termination.
Before tho assctnLlagc adjourned for the day
President ltatchford of the United Mine Work
crs Of America outlined in an address to tho
convention what action he thought 1t should
take with reference to " government by injunc.
ton" Tic suggested that President Mckinley
should be urged to call n special session of Con-
gress to define tho powers Of the courts in grant
ing injunctions. Mr.. Ratchford said no hoped
soiuc action would be taken 10 SGT Mt rest forever
tho question OF Federal injunctions MS applied to
tho inalienable rights Of free citizens. The mino
workers, he declared, have been conducting the
fcrccst conflict over begun by any industry, and
all the crime they have committed is that of
meeting upon public streets to discuss their
affairs.
I'VE arc not here" he said. "to take decisive
action. and l hope it will be AS conservative as
the nature of the case will permit. We nrc not
in favor Of milk.and.water resolutions nor Of
extreme measures. What we do must meet the
approval OF the great middle class, without
which nothing can be accomplished.
I'VE believe the immediate converting OF
Congress Is absolutely necessary to define tho
powers of Federal Courts and Judges, and Sc
cure the rights of all citizens. In the event of q
refusal on tho part OF the President OF the
United states to call such special session within
n reasonable time, / believe In a complete
paralysis Of Industry sympathetic strike.
Many of you are ready to do 1t now. but II Is I'M
wise at this %juncture. Conservatism Is always
| the hest. and We should cXhaust every means
to end the miners strike before resorting to the
last"
Although the object of tho convention, as do.
clared in the call, is to extend aid to the suffer.
ing, striker miners of tho country. none OF the
opi9io ,eS on IT, l oHssiio rs % OF hong Il 10 WIFI y9pG be- dSn an
The first inference Is that provision will be made
for assessments upon all the trade and labor or
ganizations to support the miners and their
Families. This is the usual mode of procedure.
But there are reports OF even moro active
a sympathetic strike, which does not ap.
pear to have many followers. Another is to
peaceful demonstration there. Still another is
to appeal to the railroad companies not to trans
port coal from mines worked by non. union men.
In any event, there will be promulgated a sot of
regulations at once emphatic and interesting.
The leaders evidently came here without any
fixed programme, II their own declarations are
opinion. The Committee on Resolutions viii
not report until tomorrow. and in the
meantime the course the convention will pursue
is to a certain extent. When
learned that Lightweight delegates were pre-.
sent, including Eugene Y. Debs, Representing
ing miners; J, r.. Sovereign. General Master
Workman Of the Knights Of Labor, James NJ.
ltatcbford, President of the United Mine Work
carpen3srs Union; il. Garland Of the iif Iron and
tional typographical Union. secretary Mcguire
of the Carpenters National Union. and promi.
nent delegates from every section and every in
a3 " ia Gt the the s sroHn1." said Mr.. Debs. that if
he crushed and their families made to feel the
fortunes Of hunger. the country cannot escape
amy n Inore than an ni indiv fianU can Goa and escape "a Ssl the
rs i your opinion that a sympathetic strike
from dying. Eight thousand families in Indiana
are actually in II state OF starvation. Official
and Gov. Mount himself %testities that he saw a
General Master Workman Sovereign expressed
the hope that the deliberations of the conven-
solution Of the strike problem. He sdded:" II
have never been in favor of strikes. l have al
ways counsclled arbitration and peace. This is
the sensible, practical. and cheapest way TO set
tie differences between employer aud employee;
but Il this strike fails TO give The coal miners the
peace OF this country"
The single takers were conspicuous, led by
he had come 900 miles to soc him. Among
them are Il. Martin, Williams. L. 7; Custer and
Clements OF Kansas. The latter is declared by
his friends to be :" the sharpest., %shrewdest and
Louis was there with a dash OF cold water in the
shape OF the following letter from Ernest BONN
Trade and Labor Alliance:
I've" see no hope for the striking mine work
Monday, Aug. 30. Experience has shown that
the conglonieralion OF alleged leaders of labor
this momentous matter, will abound in lengthy
resolutions. a lot OF phrases. and z general
WORKER viii he H1 lett to battle Tors for a foriorn hope OF"
and eventually return to work, u saddcr but. we
sit has been demonstrated time and again
that tho tactics OF the pure and simple are q
fGil n ana strikes c a ia failure ~, L the energy dis,
ers would be used by them on election day for
Independent political action; as represented by
tory would be theirs"
At the morning session temporary organiza.
Of the international Typographical Union. of
Indianapolis. as. Chairman; In the afternoon
tinted Mino WORKERS OF america. Under The
caption: Free speech and the rightof peaceful
asscmblage denied American citizens in tho
town OF Pocuhontas. Va. by tho Mayor, who Is
, supported in his action BY the sheriff OF the
county and the Governor Of the State
They were read with avidity and tended to
5 excite criticism OF the Government.
After the Credentials Committee reported. n
and evolve a plan Of action: Mr. Hatehford
. then addressed the Convention and was FOL
proposition to urge the President to call a
special session OF Congress. Adjournment was
then taken until o-morrow morning.
A mass meeting WAS held nj Masonic Temple
[ tonight. which was well attended by friends OF
, the labor cause. Tho only notable speaker OF
!. the evening was Grand Master Sovereign Of the
knights OF Labor.
? Mr.. sovereign opened with the statement thai
!. civilization was at last face to face with the
8 final great problem Of nature, the question Of
> capital had SO guided the construction of tn,
law that the laboring man had at las
become nothing but II small wheel il
the machinery OF the body polite. with no wolf
ton OF his own. He said the time had come
when organized labor would have TO rcorgAniz'
to fight combined capital. which had 10 tight
ened its grasp on the country that IL was rulinl
the peOplo by means OF court injunCtions.