The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-31
RATCHFORD'S
WANTS THE PRESIDENT TO CALL AN
EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS
For Purpose of Defining Rights of Cit
izens, "if ANY," and Providing
Means for Settling Miners Strike.
CONFERENCE At ST. LOUIS
FOURTEEN ORGANIZATIONS REPRE-
sENTED AT THE MEETING.
Prediction Made by Sovereign that 1t
VIII Issue an Edict That VIII Lead
to New Era of Liberty.
>-
SITUATION At PITTSBURG
FIGHT BETWEEN BIG AND LITTLE
OPERATORS MAY BEAR FRUIT.
One Mine Owner Confident the Long
Strike VIII Be Ended Within
FOrty-Eight Hours.
Prediction Made by Sovereign that 1t
VIII Issue an Edict That VIII Lead
to New Era of Liberty.
SITUATION At PITTSBURG
FIGHT BETWEEN BIG AND LITTLE
OPERATORS MAY BEAR FRUIT.
One Mine Owner Confident the Long
Strike VIII Be Ended Within
FOrty-Eight Hours.

ST. LOUIS. Aug. 30.-The conference of
labor leaders, which began this morning,
had a busy day, and tonight the end is IN
sight. What the conference has accom-
plished, if anything, is in doubt. 1t is not
believed the leaders have attained any def
mite result, and in fact. the president of
one of the national organizations said to-
night that the failure of the conference
was a foregone conclusion. II should feel
very much chagrined," said this gentleman,
'f had any part in the convening of this
| conference"
The committee on resolutions and plan of
action was at work all afternoon and even
ing and tonight Mr.. Sovereign announced
that they had formulated plan, but de-
clined to give any details The platform, it
Is expected, will be submitted to the con-
vention tomorrow morning. The fourteen
different organizations represented in the
convention make an unwieldy BODY, and it
is evident that all of them cannot be salts
fed with platform formulated by five
men representing as many branches of or
ganized labor.
Mr.. Ratchford's plan of petitioning Pres
ident Mckinley to convene Congress in ex-
ira session to enact measures providing for
the settlement of the present labor difficult
ties, or as he put it, Ito define the rights
of citizens, if any," did not meet with the
approval he had hoped for, and it is not be-
lieved the idea will be incorporated in the
platform.
Although present at the convention ali
day, Mr.. Debs did not speak, nor did he
put in an appearance at to-night's mass
meeting, where he was widely advertised
to make an address. He is represented on
the resolutions committee however, by Mr..
Berger, and, as he has remained pretty
close to the gentlemen composing that com
mittee, it is safe to say his 'sociaI democ-
racy' idea will be represented. 1t is
thought adjournment will be reached some
time tomorrow.
The conference was called to order by
Chairman Steinbiss, of the local committee
on arrangements. About one hundred peo-
pie were scattered about the hall, not all
of them, however, being delegates. Mr..
Steinbiss suggested that, as the call for the
convention had been issued hurriedly, and
as many of the delegates were yet unad-
Vised as to the meeting place and hour,
an adjournment be taken until II o'clock
He named a committee to go to the differ
ent hotels and inform all delegates that the
convention was about to assemble, and a
recess was taken.
PRESCOTT IN THE CHAIR.
Shortly after Ii o'clock the convention
was again called to order w. B. Prescott,
of Indianapolis. president of the Interna-
tional Typographical Union, was chosen
temporary chairman, and A NJ Pearce of
Columbus, temporary secretary. Mr.. Pres
colt then appointed the following as a COM
mittee on credentials: Mr.. Ratchford
James OConnel of the machinsts Chi
cago; Grant Luce, of the St Louis Central
Labor organization; J. r. Sovereign and
w. d. 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 amendments
to the effect that the convention adjourn
! TIL o'clock, and in the midst of this par
namentary tangle Delegate Sovereign
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 flood of amendments
ana motions, but the whole matter was fin
ally tabled and the meeting adjourned until
afternoon, when the report of the commit
tee on credentials was presented
me committee on credentials made its re-
port Immediately on the assembling Of
the conference for its afternoon session. II
was shown that eighty-eight delegates, rep
| represented: United Mine Workers oF
America, the Social Democracy the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. the Stonemakers,
lnterhatlonal Cnion brotherhood of Paint
ers and Decorators, Brotherhood of Bottle
blowers, Building Trades Council of st.
ti0pa h0piT Tne Patriots OF America, Interna
party, or Kansas. and the Industrial Order
OF Oh FTeeumen. Ihe report, after some dis
cuSSlon, was adopted. 1t was decided how
ever, that delegates be recognized as COM
ing from the particular organiza tion thew
represent rs instead of the general body The
woman delegate-Mrs. Mary Jones Of
Chcag0, VINO represents the Social DemoC-
rac{. Inc temporary organization was then
made PERMANENT and the chairman read The
call for the convention. ~
It was moved and seconded that a com
mlttee on resolutions, to be made up of one
member from each national organizatioI
be be NAMED. NED each each delegation to choose the
man, rms was amended by Delegate STE
phens, of Philadelphia, to read: And
plan of action"
Mr.; Mahon. of Detroit, objected to this
committee as unwieldy, and said he was
perfectly satisfied to leave the matter az
resolutions TO committee of five to be
selected by the chair He amended tho
resolution to that effect. IF YOU are 90
ing into the resolution business " said MIR
MMahon; Mahon;s you d,1 had better go home" Mr.
vision as was the amendment of Mr. Ste
phens.
The chairman then named as the com
mittee "on resolutions and plan of action"
W. G. Pearce, of the miners; w d Ma
hon, OF the street-railway men; Victor Ber-
ger, of Milwaukee, who represents the So
cial Democracy, in whose favor Mr. Debs
declined; @. G. Clemens. of Topeka ron
resenting the Populists, and James r. Sow
ereign.
RATCHFORD'S PLAN.
Mr.. Ratchford then took the floor He
went over the miners strike from its in
cepton to the present day. and dwelt par
ticularly on government by injunction"
He pleaded for promt action and, coming
TO the point of his argument, advocated a
special session of Congress as the best
and in fact. the only relief. II believe"
said Mr. Ratchford. "A special session of
Congress is necessary to define the rights
of the people of this country-if they have
I