The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-22
Resolution Embodying Petition
Passed-Declare Present Sys-
tenn Is Not Good One.
SOCIALISM IS ATTACKED
President Mitchell Once More
Takes Clear Stand Against
Politics in the Union.
LARGER STRIKE FUND
Greater Per Capita Tax Urged for
Men Out in the Meyers
dale District.

the convention of the United Mine NorkeIs
of America the junto of Socialist delegates
which makes itself evident each year at
tempted TO carry measures committing the
organiza ton to doctrines of socialism The
effort was again unsuccessful, being over
whelmingly defeated after an hour or more
of stormy arguments in which President
Mitchell dealt the followers of Carl Marx
some straight-from-the-sho blows
There was animated laughter and APP
plause when the Socialists resolutions were
turned down, for il is believed that their
fight is killed as far as the fifteenth an
nual convention is concerned. member
of the resolutions committee said last night
that all the Socialist resolutions had Deen
presented TO the convention, and unless py
special consent of the delegates no more
would be forthcoming.
The clash between politics and unlonlsm
ing's session. The days work started OF
with a partial report OF the CREDENTIALS
committee seating all delegates, lnclnolns
Immediately following the resolutions com
mittee began its report, and the REMAINDER
of the day was devoted to acting on the
forty-fiYe resolutions presented.
The resolutions committee had proceeded
but short time on their report when the
Socialists resolutions were reached neN
came hot and fast and caused more or less
semble. Once during the argument Fresl-
dent Mitchell took the floor and came forth
with his attitude towards socialism.
He said: Men of the United Mine WORK
ers are trade unonists. Each member or
this organizatio is abundantiy able 10
decide with which political party he shall
cast his vote. AS for myself. | grant TO
every American citizen the right 10 vote
with any political party and Tor whom
he pleases. And on the other hand; deny
to any American citizen or any body OF
Americans the right to dictate for whom
and with which party shall vote As an
organization, we had better STICK close 10
the present plan. which is entirely free or
political entanglements. Our present sue
cess has been due 70 trade unionism ana
not until il fails has the time come 10
try new methods.
The resolution that brought forth the
greatest storm of argument was that intro
duced by William Howells, OF COLORADO.
1t provided at the close OF It's long pIeaIilnle
that the United Mine Workers of America
endeavor to bring about an international
conference of labor organizations 10 mamie
the question of wealth produced py lao3r.
After many and varied amendments 10 the
resolution and much argument pro ana
con. the resolution and its amendments
and substitutes were tabled by a heavy
vote.
PER CAPITA TAX.
The afternoon session was accompanied
by much oratory and persuasive speech
making over the question of the advisable
To be used for the strikes now supported by
the organization. The convention was
called together at o'clock and for about
fifteen minutes listened to short speeches
by Harry Sheffington, general organizer of
the Boot and Shoe Workers international
Union G. p Darth. of Minneapolis, general
organizer of the Flour and Cereal Mill
Workers international Union, and d. f.
O'Shea, of Cripple Creek. Col, repre-
sentative of the Western Federati OF
Miners At the conclusion Of the addresses
the report of the resolutions committee was
continued. The first resolution presented
was one providing that all questions per-
tanning 10 the district wage scales be taken
up separately and before adoption the vote
taken by roll cali The resolution was
killed on it's weakness that such regime
would consume too much time Consloer-
able interest was manifested in the reSolu-
ton that followed, which provided that an
effort be made TO have Congress pass a
law having the mine inspectors elected by
n popular vote. The resolution was
amended to read that the inspectors must
have not less than five years experience.
A further amendment was MADE py VICE
President Lewis TO the effect that the word
"people" be cut out and mine workers"
be inserted 1t was further amended by
Delegate McElheny TO include, as wen as
Inspectors mine examining boards. The
resolution after a warm discussion as 10
its constitutionality, was finally carried.
The convention then considered a resolu-
tween miners and operators be made on the
same date 1t pointed out that, under
the present custom most or the contracts
I'm the Eastern districts close on March 1,
those i'm the central districts April l.
and those in the South and West on Sept l.
The resolution stated in its preamble that
by having all contracts take erect ano eH-
pire at the same time, the interests OF the
organization can be best promoted, especial
w i'm cases of strikes, where. If all contracts
exnire on the same date, contracts will not
| nv
| resolution was INTRODUCED by delegates OF
| District 23. An amendment was offered &c
the effect that all agreements be made a.
the same time and at the same conference
| The amendment was lost and the resolution
| was referred to the executive board.
The question which took up the greater
MARI of the afternoon was that referring
| 10 the levy of an extra tax to create fund
with which to push the Meyersdale strike
| The resolution providing for the increase
| levy was made by delegates from the Mey-
| ersdale regions, who fought hard to have
| the question settled on the floor of the con.
vention, but failed after an hour of oratory
| The resolution was referred TO the execu
| tive board. The resolution asked that the
| delegates assembled vote that the present
| strike fund be increased by raising the PEI
| anita levy of 10 cents TO y cents a month
| resolution was amended TO cover all strikes
| and a few minutes later substitution wa
| offered that the executive board be IN
| structed TO levy at once per capita ia,
| of q cents to be used a general strike
| fund. The motion was lost and the resolu
| ton was referred TO the executive board
| as recommended by the committee.
MORE MONEY FOR STRIKERS.
The resolution brought out a great dea
| of discussion on the strike question. Dele
gates from the districts i'm which strikes
are being fought all made effort TO have
! the question of voting mere money to the de
Tense of the strikes, settled on the fiooi
of the convention. A resolution somewha
/ similar 10 that from Meyersdale was reaS
| at the morning session, relative to thu
] Colorado strike. The same discussion arOs'
] as to whether il was best to refer the dis
position of strike funds 10 the executive
! hoard or decide the issue on the floor %
| the convention. However when the vot,
| came. the board had the confidence OF tn
majority. and the resolution was referred
| TO them.
The question of making the United Mine
| Workers Journal a monthly magazine
| came uD towards the end OF yesterday Z
| session. A resolution introduced by Vic
| President Lewis making the possibility o
| such change year hence. was carried
| The resolution provided that the executive
board be instructed 10 investigate the cos
| OF publishing a monthly magazine and re
| port at the next annual convention. A reso
| luton was also carried which declares tina
! hereafter all district reports and death no
! tices must be condensed in the least pos
| sible space in the Journal.
Just before adjournment a resolution wa
e.A ~ Of 10