Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-14
FIGHT SOCIALISM
STRONG MEN IN FEDERATION
OPPOSE RADICAL ACTION.
NAY REFLECT PRESIDENT URlCR
Dubuque and oskaIoosa in Field for
Next Years Convention = Fedora
t'on Opposed to Open shop Policy
Delegates Entertained at Concert.

F'sssses Enterfained at Concert.
Marshalltown. May ~, - Especially
The aim Of the Iowa State Fedora
ton Of Labor, or at least of tho strong
men in that body, is toward conserya-
tism in their methods. AS stated by
Vice President L. P. joyce Of the Unit.
eo Mine Workers Of the state, during
discussion yesterday afternoon, the
labor organizations in the state are
Just now at a crucial time in their ca
reer. While they declare that they
are not afraid of the manufacturers
association and the methods of D. M.
Parry and other big employers, union
lists who look toward the future realize
that they have much to do to keep the
public from getting the impression that
organized labor is radical. Through
out the deliberations of the twelfth an
nual convention thus far this fact has
been prominently noticeable, and the
leaders OF the movement in Iowa de-
sire that nothing be done, especially at
the present time, that will put them
in the class of non-conseryatives
Contest for Offices.
Though they were defeated last year
in the Davenport convention and again
at the national convention in Boston,
the socialists are making determin-
ed though quiet fight again this year
for offices. Instead of bringing up res
olutions for the discussion of economic
questions and standing chance of be-
ing beaten during the discussion on the
floor of the convention, they are work
ing quietly for the election of some
of their number to Offices.
D, r. White, now vice president, is
being spoken of as candidate for the
office of president. Although Mr.. White
has announced that he will not stand
for election against President A. L.
Uriok of Des Moines this has not damp
ened the ardor Of his friends. He is a
carpenter and lives at Davenport. Only
yesterday noon he arrived at the con-
vention, having been in Des Moines at
tempting to bring about settlement,
of the carpenters strike there. The
other man on the socialist slate"
who will make a good fight is George
G. Campbell of Clinton, the real leader
of the socialists, who will try for cleo,
ton as delegate from the Iowa. fedora
ton TO the convention of the American
Federation to be held next fall.
A. L. Urick is a candidate for re-
election to the presidency and will no
doubt be chosen by a good majority.
]. II. Streif5 of Sioux City, who has
been secretary of the state federation
for several years, will be reelected
beyond any doubt. Ed. T. Austin of
Marshalltown, has consented to make
the run for the vice presidency and L..
R. Jaeger and j. C. Byram, the former
of Burlington and the latter of Des
Moines are both strong candidates for
delegate to the national convention, OF
these two Mr.. Jaeger who was for two
years vice president, apparently is in
the lead at this time, The election Of
officers will take place tomorrow aft
ernoon, when the place of the next
meeting will also be chosen.
Place Of Next Years Convention.
Dubuque and Oskaloosa are prom
inent in the field for the next state
convention. Des Moines has been
conceded this honor by some but will
not make fight for it. Dubuque's
delegation is offering many induce
ments and may land the plum although
there are some objections made. chief
among the fact that Dubuque is far
from the center of the state. Council
Bluffs lost this years convention for
that very reason and will probably not
make any attempt to land next years.
Oskaloosa came out yesterday after
noon as candidate and has the sup
port of many of the delegates. Ottum-
wa will not try for the convention this
year, but may be in the field for it in
1906.
One Office to Be Abolished.
j. ]. Jacobsen of Des Moines listor-
ian of the state federation recommends
in his annual report, which was made
yesterday that the Office of historian
be abolished as it is useless. This will
probably be done by the convention.
Whites Report Read.
The report of John L. White, Of Oska-
loosa, president of the Iowa miners union
who was delegate from the state federation
to the twenty-third annual convention of
the American Federation of Labor, held ut
Boston last November, was read to the
convention yesterday afternoon by Edwin
Perry, secretary of the miners union. Mr..
Wnlte was UNABLE 10 be present ut the
convention here this week owing to other
business in connection with the lockout in
the mines of Putnam county, Missouri
The report dealt with the deliberations Of
the Boston convention and mentioned
among other facts that ut this meeting 273
unions We're represented an increase of
140 over any previous convention. There
were 496 delegates, an increase Of 1914 over
the convention of 1902. The report of the
treasurer showed an increase of Sl02 304. ia
in the treasury Of the federation during
the year and a gain in the per capita tax
of S45, S4T16.
Mr. White is one OF committee appoint
ed to visit tho Western Federation of Min
ers when they hold their annual conyen-
ton in Denver this year and try to obtain
their affiliation with the American Fedora
tion of Labor.
Sympathy With Colorado Strikers.
partial report of the committee on res
olutions was made to the convention yes
terdny. Among the resolutions passed was
one by John w. Kitto, president Of the
Ottumwa Trades & Labor assembly. eS-
pressing sympathy for the striking miners
of Colorado and MISC expressing confidence
in the national administration to act wise
ly in connection with the conditions that
exist in TINT state.
Money for Legislation.
A resolution appropriating $500 to he
used In securing and distributing among