Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-06-22
A REFERENDUM VOTE
BEFORE CALLING
A STRIKE
Western Federation Miners
Adopt, measures to
That Effect at
Denver.
REAL FIGHT WILL
COME NEXT WEEK
Dissolution With Industrial Work.
erS of World VIII Cause Much
Discussion but Afflrma-
tive Action Is Ex-
peCted.

Denver, Colo, June 22.-The con-
vention of the Western Federation
of Miners today agreed upon a con-
stitutional amendment providing for
referendum vote by all local unions
before strike is called, a two-thirds
vote in the affirmative being required
to authorize the strike.
Under the old system, a strike may
be ordered by any union on three
fourths votes, when its action Is rati-
fled by the executive board.
Real Fight Next Week.
An amendment was adopted pro-
hibiting unions or individual mem
bers from making labor contracts.
The real fight in the convention
over the question of the severance
of all connection with the Industrial
Workers OF the World will come next
week when the report of Acting
President Mahoney is under consid-
GRAFTON.
Mahoney himself is said to favor
the separation of the two organiza-
tions.
Another Amendment
An amendment committing the
federation to industrial unionism and
independent political action drew
forth widely diverse views of the
delegates, and many spoke for and
against the proposition. The hour of
noon adjournment arrived, however.
with several addresses yet forthcom-
ing, Notwithstanding a great many
delegates privately expressed beliefs
that the minds of the majority are
already made up.
Division was impossibfe, according
to the decisions of the chair, so long
| as any member desired to discuss the
matter. regardless of repeated calls
for the question" from a consider
able element.
Amendment VIII Prevail.
The amendment is expected to pre-
event the federation will take the
Initiative in a movement looking to
the election of union labor candi-
dates for all political offices.
The opposition to this program en-
anates in the convention from dele
gates who believe in separation Of
politics from unionism, and the leav-
ing of political action to the indl-
vidual, according to his own ideas.
Addresses Delivered.
Addresses were delivered before the
convention preceding its regular pro-
gram by Frank harrington, vice
president of Illinois district No. IL.
United Mine Workers of America,
and Duncan Mcdonald, member Of
the executive board of Illinois dis
trict of the same organization. These
speakers brought greetings from the
coal miners of the east and were
loudly cheered.
Mr.. Mcdonald said. among many
other complimentary statements TO
the federation delegates, that "the
trial at Boise of the chief represen-
tatives of the Western Federation of
Miners has done more to cement the
workngmen of the east than any
thing else that has ever happened.
Everywhere that l have BEEN" con-
tinued Mr.. Mcdonald, "the Haywood
trial is looked upon as persecution Of
union labor and is part of the pro-
gram of the Colorado Mine Owners
association to destroy the Western
Federation of Miners.
we do not believe that the at
tempt to thus disrupt your organi-
zation viii prevail, but even should
your president and secretary be made
to suffer in the cause of this great
battle Of the classes, they will be will
ing martyrs to the cause. What OF
it? Somebody has always had TO
suffer for the advancement of ciyili-
zation and every great movement in
the interests of humanity.
II bring tidings of hope to the
Western Federation of Miners, and
assure you all that our sympathies
in the east are with you in your
great battle, for we realize that only
in the unity of interests such as we
represent can we hope to succeed.
That unity is being crystalllzed now
more than ever, and with good ef-
feet"