The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-27
TEXAS LABOR TURNS
DOWN new UNION idea
Gives Representative Of Western
Federation of Miners Fit
ting Rebuke.
State Federation Declares That
New Industrial 0rganiza-
tion is Wrong.

Denison, Texas, May 25.-The Texas
State Federation Of Labor in conven-
ton here in no uncertain terms de-
clared it's loyalty to the trade union
movement of America and condemned
the attempt to disrupt the labor move
ment by certain Socialist leaders.
The rebuke grew out Of an attempt on
the part of one w. H. Leonard, repre-
senting the Western Federation Of
Miners, who handed ir his credentials
with the request that he be given the
floor for the purpose of asking aid for
the miners of Colorado and to explain
the Industrial labor oranization being
advocated by the officers Of the West
ern Federation Of Miners.
F. N. Graves, secretary treasurer Of
the Tex;~s State Federation of Labor,
in replying to question about the
matter said:
To make certain just what Leonard
desired, a great many delegates inter-
viewed him, and in these interviews
he, gave a synopsis Of the address he
desired to make. His intention was
to deliver a nuEciation Of Samuel
Gcmpers and John Mitchell and all
well-known labor leaders; arguments
as to why the trade-unionists should
indorse the socialist party and the
new movement known as industrial
organization" which was explained
to mean the amalgamation Of all
branches of labor under one head,
changing of all international and ma
tional trade union laws and abolish
ing all executive boards, and in lieu
thereof to have one executive board
with one set Of officers to control all
branches of labor-which the history
Of the past has proven to be absolutely
impossible.
The state convention unanimously
voted to refuse Leonard the privilege
of the floor, taking the position that
while there may be imperfection in the
trade unions. they are few and grow
ing less each year. with a record be-
hind them for the betterment Of man.
kind as has no other movement in the
world. and that 1t would be the height
Of folly to indorse any movement that
could result in nothing less than di-
vision in the ranks of organized labor
and the formation Of dual organiza-
tions.
On the proposition of giving finan-
~cial aid~to the: Western Federation Of
Miners the Texas State Federation of
Labor decided that it could not afford
to give aid to an organization that was
endeaVoring to destroy the American
Federation Of Labor by the formation
Of dual unions, and OF the socialist
question the convention maintained
that it was a political one, and that
trades unions are formed for trade
and business purposes and for no other
and that anything of a political nature
brought into them would have a ten
dency to bring about discord. As to
listening to TRADE against Gompers,
Mitchell or any other labor leader the
convention unanimously decided that
1t had neither the time nor desire.
having the utmost confidence in Com
pers and MITCHELL who have stood the
test of years and Of trials as have no
other men in the world of labor or in
any walk of life. having proved true
to our principles and loyal to their
constituents at all times
1t was the opinion of the convention.
knowing that similar occasions would
arise in other like conventions and like
bodies. that the action of the Texas
State Federation of Labor which has
more good laws to it's credit and bad
laws defeated than any similar organ
1zation in the United States, would be
precedent that would be wise to fol-
low
In view of these facts, the Texas
State Federation of Labor. which has
always held true allegiance to the
American Federation Of Labor. is IN
alterably opposed to the action of the
officers of the Western Federation Of
Miners, who are endeavoring to form
dual organization (for which pur
pose a convention has been called in
the city of Chicago in the month OF
June), and who are sending emissaries
throughout the country with the hope
Of securing the cooperation of dis
gruntled political schemers, thinking
thereby to create discord in the ranks
of organized labor and gain for them
selves converts and retard our present
movement.