The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-05

DANNERIS CHOSEN
Fort Scott Man President state
Society Of Labor.
w. L. O'Brien Of Topeka Is
Vice President.
HARMONY PREVAILS.
Only One Nomination Made for
Each Office.
n ~ 1ex
Anti-RailrOad Resolution Is De-
feated on the Floor.

nuaI convention or the STATE society VI
labor and industry. in session at repre-
sentative hall since Monday morn
ing.
The last feature Of the programme,
the election of officers. had just been
completed, with the Following re-
suit: President. Charles H. Danner,
Fort Scott; vice president. w. L.
O'Brien, Topeka; legislative COM
nittee-W. o. Van Pelt. representing
the railroad organizations, Pittsburg;
Joe L. Shaw, the mine workers, Pitts
burg; James Skallan. the building
trades and miscellaneous organiza-
tions.
In each instance but one nomination
was made and the election was either
by reclamation, or the secretary was
instructed to cast the ballot of the
convention for the candidate under
consideration.
The delegates remained wonderful
ly faithful at the last and if there
were any delinquents their number
was too small to be perceptible. But
with the adjournment there was a
rush for the trains. the majority be-
ing wearied with three days OF almost
solid work. and during the afternoon
most Of the 225 delegates left the CITY,
while the remainder VIII get away to-
night.
The revival of interest in the suf-
frage movement, which occupied so
much time Tuesday afternoon, was
evidenced by the announcement that
A. g. McAllister of Harrington had a
paper that he wished to have signed
by every one who voted for the suf-
~ nj
versal suffrage.
The question of freight rates came
up with the consideration of resolu-
ton No. 80, as a special order, at 8
O'Clock, Immediately after the conven-
ton had been called to order, and con-
sumed much Of the time of the clos
Ing session. This sought to restrain
the state board of railroad commits
sioners from taking further action on
an order now pending for a reduction
of rates and the convention was di-
vided In its opinion as to the aIFvis-
ability of dealing with the subject at
all. W. o. Van Pelt couldn't see why
there should be any objection to the
resolution, while August Anderson
argued that the proposed reduction
affects every man in the state en-
gagged in the railroad industry, and
not the railroads alone, and A. s. Nc
Allister of Harrington was decidedly
opposed to any action by the conven-
ton. Better let it alone" he advised.
A delegate who said the same
proposition was brought before the
legislature in 1907, when almost to a.
man that body favored a reduction in
freight rates. said this move was a
political scheme entirely, a scheme of
the railroads. eve depend on the
legislature and will not be in posi-
ton to ask any favors if we antagonizeI
those men who have made a study of
this subject and mastered it, he said
George w. Rauch. one of the most
vigorous and forcible speakers on the
floor, insisted that it was a great mis-
take to take the resolution up at all,
LET it die" he said. at won't bene.
fit the railroad men to vote ethel
for or against it,
Roll call on the adoption of resolu-
ton 80 resulted: Ayes, Al; nays, 49, not
voting, 6. The resolution was not adopt
ed.
The introduction of resolutions by I'M
animous consent and without reference
to the committee followed. Resolution
SO extended the sympathy of the con-
vention to the Goldf1eld miners in their
trouble over the attempted use by the
mine owners of illegal scrip in pay
ment for labor and demanded the re-
moval of federal troops from that
camp. 1t was suggested that a copy
Of the resolution. which was adopted.
be sent to the chief of
the army Of the United States, but
others thought 1t should go to the pres
ident.
One delegate wanted to incorporate
In the resolution a tender of sympathy
to Steve Adams, but this was held to
be properly the subject of another
resolution, and the convention did not
get around to 1t.
Resolution No. 81. amending section
of the constitution by reducing the
number of members Of the legislative
committee from four to three, was
adopted.
Resolution No 80 instructs a COM
mittee to investigate the alleged dis
regard by the railroad companies of
the carshed law and report it's findings
to the state railroad board.
The election of officers proceeded with
but a single hitch and that came when
James Skahan was nominated as a
member of the legislative COMMITTEES
as the representative Of the mine work
ers. A protest was entered on the
ground that the United Mine Workers
of America was not fairly represented,
less than 25 per cent of the delegates 10
which the order is entitled being pres
emit. The protest was ruled out Of or
der.
AS each newly elected officer was an
nounced by the chair he was called for
and made appropriate response. Presi-
dent banner confined his remarks TO q
suggestion that when the delegates
reach their homes they immediateIy
get together all tried and loval ,,nior
men of whatever craft and agree unor
some good man to sit on this floor with
the lower house of the legislature AND
go to work to elect him. In Mr.. Dan.
ner's opinion the society could thus
have Is members in the house. who
with the legislative committees. corIS
accomplish much good for the cause
Secretary Johnson made a few an.
propriate closing remarks and ANGUS,
Anderson. chairman Of the resolutions
committee thanked the convention fol
It's courteous treatment of himself anf
the other members Of the committee
The building trades delegates ex.