Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-31

Far as the Presence of Officers Of
Leading Lobor Organizations is
Concerned - Ratchford Has a
Elan Which Includes an Extra
Session of Congress, but Others
Fear Mckinley Could Not Secure
Senator Eanna's Conset.
ST. LOUIS. August SO.-Chairman Stein
hiss of the local committee of arrange
ments called the Labor Conference 10
order at 10 O'Clock. About 100 people wee
scattered about the hall not all OF them'
however. being delegates. Mr.. Steinbiss
suggested that as the call for the conVen-
lion had been issued hurriedly. and as
MANY of the delegates were as yet unad-
vised as TO the meeting place and hour'
an adjournment be taken until IL O'CLOCK
He named a committee 10 go 10 the diiter-
ent hotels and inform all delegates that
III convention was about TO assemble, and
a recess was taken. Shortly after IL o.
clock the convention was again called TO
order. w. B. Prescott, president OF the
International Typographical Union oil
indianapolis, was chosen temporary chair
man. and A. NJ. Pearce, of Columbus
temporary secretary. Mr.. Prescott then
appointed the following committee on ere
dentials Mr.. Ratchford, James OCon-
nor. of the Machinists. Chicago; Grant
! Luce of the St. Louis Central Labor Or
J ganization; j. r. Sovereign and w. ID.
( Mahon.
! Considerable controversy arose over the
! naming of a committee on resolutions,
which. although the convention was not
permanently organized, was moved by
one of the delegates. There were amend
merts to the effect that the convention
! adjourn until l o'clock and that the hour
be made o'clock, and in the midst Of this
| parliamentary tangle Delegate Sovereign
shouted: I'm sick and tired of resolu-
tions; this is the time for action. move
Mr. Chairman, that the motion TO appoint
a committee on resolutions be amended
TO read, on resolutions and on plan OF
action"
This brought out a flood of amendments
and motions but the whole matter was
finally tabled and the meeting adjourned
until 2 p. m.
The committee on credentials made
its report Immediately on the assem-
bling of the conference for its after
noon session. 1t was shown that SIS
delegates, representing the following
organizations. were represented:
UHIueu WINE workers Of America
the Social Democracy; 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
and Track Foremen: the Single Tax
League of America; Central Labor
Council, Of Cincinnati; the Interna-
tional Typographical Union; the Peo-
pies Party. of Kansas, and the Indus
tlial Order Of Freedmen.
The report, after some discussion,
was adopted. 1t was decided, however,
that delegates be recognized as coming
from the particular organization they
represent instead of the general body.
The reports showed also the presence
Of one woman delegate-Mrs. Mary
Jones, Of Chicago who represents the
/ Social Democracy. The temporary or
ganization was then made permanent
and the chairman read the call for the
| convention
It was moved and seconded that
a committee on resolutions 10
I be made up Of one member from each
national organization be named. each
/ delegate to choose the man. This was
amended by Delegate Stephens. Of
! PHILADELPHIA. to read "and plan Of ac-
! ton Carried.
The chairman then named as the
committee "on resolutions and plan Of
action w C. Pearce, Of the miners:
w. D. Mahon. Of the street railway
men: Victor Berger, of Milwaukee who
represents the Social Democracy. in
whose favor Mr.. Debs declined: G.. c.
Clemens. Of Topeka. representing the
| Populists, and James r. Sovereign
Mr.. Ratchford then took the floor
He went over the miners strike from
its inception 10 the present day. and
dwelt particularly upon government
by injunction" He pleaded for prompt
action, and coming to the point Of his
argument advocated special session
of Congress as the best. and In fact the
only relief. 81 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
anv. I believe if sufficient time were
given. the President OF the United
States will call a special session Of
Congress 10 act on the matter OF In
functions and find means Of relief from
the existing troubles in the labor world.
In case OF refusal" said Mr.. Ratch
ford impressively after an outburst OF
cheering had subsided. 'it will then be
time to consider more extreme measures.
I am in favor II the President refuses 70
call Congress together. OF a complete par
alysis Of business. I believe then in
sympathetic strike"
Mr.. Pat O'Neil. OF Rich Hill No. who
said he represented 800 unorganized
picks" favored a labor revolution. He
was a socialist he said and believed in
the miners taking things in their own
hands if necessary. His fiery harangue
pleased the audience greatly.
Mr. Sovereign put himself or record
as opposed 10 Mr. Ratchfords plan He
believed this would be the last convention
to be held under present conditions and
that the crucial test now confronted or
ganized labor.
Mr.. Mahon. Of Detroit, said a resolutions
committee was useless. The convention
should vote on Ratchfond's proposition
and then 90 home. The power OF the na-
ton. he said. was in the courts. and II
any body was TO be convened let IL be the
courts. He was opposed to Mr.. Ratch-
ford's proposition
Mr.. Mahon. as did his predecessor. took
a fling at Senator Hanna. Mr.. Mahon