Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-08-31
"PLAS OF ACTIoN- FORMULATED.
But NOT ANNOUNCED.
President Ratchford Wants an Extra
Session of Congress to Provide
for Settling Labor Difficult
tfes-Debx keeping in
the Background.

taiIed any definite result, and in fact the
president Of one of the national organiza-
lions said tonight that the failure of the
conference was foregone conclusion. Il
should fee! very much cnagrinned," said
this gentleman. IF l had any part in the
conyening of this conference"
The committee on resolutions and plan
OF action was at work all afternoon and
to-right, and this evening Mr.. Sovereign
announced that they had formulated plan
but declined TO give any details. The
platform, it is expected, will be submitted
TO the convention tomorrow morning.
The fourteen different organizations rep
resented in the convention make an un-
wieldy body. and II is evident that all of
them cannot be satisfied with platform
formulated by five men representing as
many branches of organized labor.
Mr. Ratchford's plan of petitioning Presi-
dent Mckinley to convene congress in
extra session 10 enact measures provid-
Ing for the settlement of the present labor
difficulties. or, as he put it. ito define the
rights of citizens. if any did not meet
with the approval ne had hoped for, and
1t is not believed the plank will be in
coTporated in the platform.
Although present in the convention all
day. Mr.. d bs did not sp ak. nor did he put
in an appearance at to-night's mass meet
ing. 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 commit
tee, it is safe to say his social democracy
idea will be represented.
It is thought adjournment will be reached
some time tomorrow.
Chairman Steinbiss, of the local COM
mittee of arrangements, called the con-
ference to order at 10 O'clock About 100
people We're scattered about the hall, not
all Of them, however, being delegates. Mr..
Steinbiss suggested that as the cal! for
the convention had been issued hurriedly
and as many of the delegates We're yet un-
advised as TO the meeting place and hour,
an adjournment be taken till IL o'clock
He named a committee to go 10 the differ
ent hotels and inform all delegates that
the convention was about to assemble and
a recess was taken.
Shortly after II o'clock the convention
was again called to order. Mr.. W. B. Pres
colt, president of the International Typo
graphical Union, of Indianapolis, was
CHOSEN temporary chairman, and w. G.
Pearce, of Columbus, temporary secretary
Considerable controversy arose over the
naming of Il committee on resolutions,
which, although the convention was not
yet permanently organized. was moved by
one of the delegates. There were amend
ments to the effect that the convention adj
Journ till ] O'Clock ana that the hour be
I. MADE clock. and In the midst OF this
parliamentary tangle Delegate sovereign
shouted: II m sick and tired of resolutions:
ms Is the time for action. / move Mr.
chairman. that the motion to appoint a
committee on resolutions be amended to
READ on resolutions and plan of action"
ms brought out flood of amendments
ana motions; but the whole matter was
lnaliy tabled, and the meeting adjourned
until o'clock
The committee. on credentials made its
report Immediately upon the assembling of
the conference for its afternoon session II
was shown that lightweight delegates rem
resenting the following Organizations were
present-united Mine Workers of Amer
lea, the Social Democracy, the American
Federation of Labor. the Stonemakers' In
ternational Union. Brotherhood of Painters
ana Decorators, Brotherhood of Bottle
blowers; Building. Trades Council of ST.
Louis: the Patriots of America, the Broth
erhood of Track Forenen. the Single Tax
League of America, Central Labor Council
of Cincinnati, the International Typogranh
zeal Union. the Peoples party of Kansas
and the Industrial Order of Freedmen. The
one woman delegate-Mrs. Mary Jones.
Democracy. The temporary organization
was then made permanent and the chair
man read the call for the convention.
me chairman then named as the COM
mittee .,on resolutions and plan of action"
w. T. Pearce OF the miners; w. D. Ma
non. or the street railway men: Victor
Berger of Milwaukee. who represents the
social loemocraey; in whose favor Mr.. Debs
resenting the Populists, and James r. Sow
ereign. 49, 'o
Mr. Ratchford then took the 4oor IT.
went over the miners strike from its in
ception to the present day and dwell nav
uculariy upon government by Injunction"
lie pleaded for prompt action, and coming
TO the point of his argument advocated .
special session of congress as the best and
m fact. the only relief. II believe" said
Mr. Ratchford. "A special session of con-
rress Is necessary TO define the rights of
the people of this country-if they have
any ] believe II sufficient time We're given
the president Of the United States will call
a special 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
lmpressiVeiy. after an outburst of cheerinrr
had subsided. ''it will then be time 10 CON-
slider moro extreme measures. / am in
favor, II tho president refuses TO call con-
gress together. of complete PARALYSIS of
business. l believe in "A svmnatba.ia
strike ''>
Mr.. Patrick O'Ncill. of Rich Hill A1o
who said he represented 100 organized
picks favored 4 labor revolution He was
a Socialist, he said, and believed in the
miners taking things in their own haniS
il necessary. His fierce harangue pleased
tho audience greatly.
Mr.. Sovereign put himself on record &C
opposed to Mr.. Ratchford's plan, Uc he.
.ifcved this would be the last convention IN
bc held under present conditions ana that
The crucial test now confronted organized
labor.
Mr. Mahon, of Detroit, said resolutions
committee useless. The convenfjon
should vote on Ratchfords proposition and
then go home. The power of the nation
he said, was In the courts, and n n
body was TO he convened. let it be the
courts He WAS opposed to Mr.. Ratchford's
proposition. Mr.. Mahon as did his nredc
cessor. took a fling at Senator Hanna Mr.
MshOn saying the president would have 10
get Hanna consent 10 the convening of
congress.
James NJ. Carson. president of the IIu-
nois miners. then recited at great length
the conditions confronting the miners of
his state. and said he believed his men
would be beaten in two weeks.
TeleSrams of greeting and protests
against government by Injunction were
received from the Populist executive com
mittee of the Sixteenth congressional dis
trict of Ohio. the German Trades Assem-
bly, OF Philadelphia and the Atlanta FEEDER
alton of Trades. y polite request to quit
monlleying and strike for single tax on
land values was then read from the
Youngstown, o, single takers. and the talk
went on.
Less than one thousand people. among
whom Were Z large number ot ladies' as
sembled in Masonic hllI tonight to liSt-
pn TO addresses by prominent labor lead
erS brought 10 the city by The confer
cnGe. There was much enthusiasm shown.
When IL became known that Eugene V
Debs. president ot the Social Democracy
would not speak. there was signs or in
dlgnant diSapproval. and loud cries f,,r
that noted leader.
The Only Dining Car Line to Colorado
Points.
THE BURLINGTON ROUTE.
Through trains leave at l0:4O a. N.