The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-12-31

10 all Local Unions, United .Mlnc
Workers of America.
GREETING:-l am i'll possession
of a circular issued by lnternation-
al President II. l.. Lewis, under
the date Of December 18th, il
which he makes a direct charge
that the officers of the Illinois
Branch of the United Mine
Workers Of America, are attempt,
ing to create discussion in the
ranks Of our organization.
In order that | may be properly
placed before the miners of
America, and to prevent their
being deceived by such charges,
feel it incumbent upon me to issue
this circular in my own defense
and ill defense of my official col
leagues
l believe | express the sentiment
OF every member Of the Illinois
Executive Board, when say that
they are as loyal to our organi-
zation as it is possible for men to
be, and they ere not willing to
submit to such charges without
raising their voice in protest.
True, the campaign for tie In
ternatlonal Presidency of our
organization, that has just ended,
has been one that is to be regret
ted. yet under the circumstances.
could hardly have been avoided,
No man i'll our organization re.
grets more deeply than | that the
dignity of our beloved organi-
-Aation- has been degraded by the
political practices that have been
employed.
However, | am sure no well in.
formed member Of our organization
will disagree with me. when say
that President Lewis and his
partiSans, more than others con
nected with our organization, since
us inception, are responsible for
TINS state of affairs No one, at
any time, has ever used question
able means and circulated false
statements. inSinuationS and in.
unendoeS to that extent that they
nave through their circulalS.-Thc
industrial Index, Labor World.
ana men who while employed
ostenslbly for other purposes have
acted the part of character as
sasslnS, and it is to saw the
least, out Of place for him above
aioIherS, to protest against those
Things at this time when he and
they are directly responsible for
such things existing in our orpani-
ZatlCn and men being forced to do
the things he and they COMPLAIN of
III sell defense to protect them
selves from their slandprous at
tacks.
we nave no desire to be disre-
spectiul to our membership any
where when we say that district
Il, ILLINOIS, has Il record of which
Sne Is Justly proud. No sister
district, when in trouble. has ever
appealed TO US i'll vain, and in the
struggle three years ago. when the
National Organization itself was
bankrupt, and many of the other.
districts were i'll the throeS of death
struggle, 1t was to District - thev
looked and District - is proud Of
her action i'll that hour. Practical
iaIl her present officers were
ollicelS at that time They wero
willing. as the records show to
deplete their treasury and tight to
the last for the preservation of tho
organization whereverit existed in
our land. That has ever hpcn
their record i'll the past. they are
OIL the same Kind now. and any.
statement 20 the contrary is false
No, we are not trl ing to create
uiNSenSloh in the organization
hat has already been done nv.
'hoSe VII" are now CRYING for
quarter Our efforts are dirnctod
towards not only prcventino
luther di>Sem>iom sand division
out TO wlping out the sources of
The dlSScnsionS and rebellion that
already exists.
We join him in asking the local
unions to send delegates to the
coming convention that will a.
hearl as possible. represent every
member IN our organization for the
purpose OF not only Sceinu that
justice IS done him. but to 500
Ihat he and all Others are forced to