The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-31
After a Day-and-Night Con-
ference, Little Roadway
Is Made.
Patrick O'Nsill Suggests Heroic
misunderstood Opposes
Ra:chford's Plan.


of one of the National organizations says
the failure of the conference was a fore
gone conclusion. II should feel very
much chagrIned," said this gentleman.
'if had had any part in the converting
of this conference"
The committee on resolutions and plan
of action was at work all the afternoon
and tonight, and this evening MIR. Sover-
eign announced that they had formulated
q p an, but he de cineo TO give any details.
The platform. it is expected, will be SUBJ
mi;ted to tie convention to- morrow morn
ing. The fourteen different Organizations
repre- ,ented in the convention make an
UNIV .eldy body. and it is evident that all
OF them cannot be satisfied with plat
form formulated by five men representing
as MANY branches Of organized labor.
NJ Ratchford's plan o. petitioning
President Mckinley 10 convene Congress
in extra session to enact measures provld-
ing for the settlement OF the present
labor difficulties, or as he put it, ITO de-
fine the rights of citizens, if any," did not
meet with the approval he had hoped for.
and it is not believed that the plank will
be incorporated in the platform.
Although present in the convention all
day, Mr.. Debs did not speak nor did he
meeting where he was widely advertised TO
make an address. He is represented on
tie resolutions committee, however, by
Mr.. Berger and as he has remained pretty
close 10 the gentlemen composing Ihet
committee it is safe 10 say his social
democracy" idea will be represented.
1t is thought an adjournment will be
reached some time tomorrow.
Chairman Steinbiss of the local com nit
tee of arrangements called the conference
of labor leaders 10 order Il. 10 O'Clock
A bout 100 people were scattered about the
hall, but all of them. however, beng dele
gales. Mr.. Steinbi 8 suggested that, as
the call for the convention had been issued
hurriedly, and as many OF the delegates
were vet unadvised as to the meeting
place and hour, an adjournment be taken
till II o'cl ock. He named committee to
go TO the hotels and inform all delegates
that the convention was about 10 a. EN- bic,
and recess was TAKEN
Shortly after Ii o'clock The convention
was again called to oruer. w. b. Pres
colt of Indianapolis. president of the IT,
ternational Typographical Union, was
chosen temporary chairman, and w. Z.
Pearce of Colum bus, temporary secre-
tary. Mr.. Prescott then appointed the
following as COMMITTEES on credentials:
Mr.. Ratchiord, James 0Connor OF the
Machinis;s, Chicago; Grant Luce of St.
Louis Central Labor Organization, J. r.
Sovereign and w. D. Mahon.
Consid cradle controversy arose over the
naming of q com mlttee on resolutions,
which. although the convention was not
vet permanently organized, was moved by
one of the delegates. There were amend
ments TO the effect that the convention
adjourn unit. O'Clock and that the hour
be made O'CLOCK, and in the midst of
this parliamentary tangle Delegate Sow
ereign shouted:
II am sick and tired of resolutions; thi.
is the time for action. I move, Mr.. Chair
M an, that the motion to appoint COM
mittee on resolutions be amended SO as to
read, ,on resolutions ana plan OF &C.
ton"
This brought out flood of am endments
and motions, but the whole matter was
| FINAL, tabled and the meeting ad journed
| until p NJ
The com mittee en- credentials made its
| re port imm diately on the milling of
| the conference Tor its afternoon session.
It was shown that eiahty-eight delegates,
re presenting the following organizations,
were present:
United MIne-workers of America, Social De-
nocracy American Federation o: Labor,
Stonemakers International Union, Brother
hood of Painters and Decorators, Brotherhood
of RottIe- blowers, Building Trades Council of
ST. Louis, Patriots of America, Brotherh God of
Track Foremen, Single Tax League of America
Central Labor Council OF Cincinnati, 1uterna-
| tional Typographical Union. Peoples party of
Kansas and Industrial 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 general
| report showed also the presence of one
woman delegate, Mrs. Mary Jones of
Chicago, who represents the Social
was then made permanent, and the chair
man read the call for tae convention.
1t was moved ana seconded that COM
mittee on resolutions be made up of one
member from each of the organizations
| named, each delegation TO choose it's
member. This was amended by Delegate
Stephens of Philadelphia to read land
plan of action"
MIR. Mahon of Detroit objected to this
committee as unwieldy ana said he was
perfectly satisfied to leave the matter of
resolutions to committee OF i've, to be
selected by the chair. He amended the
resolution to that effect
"If you are going into the resolution
business, said Mr.. Manon, you had bet
ter go home"
Mr.. Mahon's amend ment was carried on
a division, as was the amendment of Mr..
Stephens.
The chairman then named as the com
mittee ION resolutions and plan OF action"
w. Ct. Pearce OF the miners, w. d. Mahon
of the street railway men, Victor Berger
of Milwaukee. who represents the Social
Dem ocracy, in whose favor Mr.. Debs de-
clined; g. C. Clemens of Topeka, repre-
sentlng the Populists, and James r. Sow.
ereign.
Mr.. Ratchiord then took the floor. He
went over the miners strike from its in.
ception to The present day, and dweIt
particularly upon government by iniunc.
ton" He pleaded for prom pit action, and.
coming to the point of bis argument, ad-
votated special session of Congress as
the best, and, in fact, the only relief.
II believe" said Mr.. Ratchford. ssa
special session OF Congress is necessary to
define the rights of the people of this
country-if they have any. | believe if
sufficient time we're given the President OF
| the United States, he would call q ST eciaI
session of Congress to act upon the matter
OF inJunctions and find means of relief
from the existing troubles in the labor
| world.
"In case of REFUSAL" said Mr.. Ratchford.
impressively, after an outhurst had su b.
sided, '1t will then be time to consid er
more extreme measures. l am in favor,