The Elk Mountain pilot., 1908-07-23
PRECEDENT MOVERS ADDRESS At
MINERS CONVENTION IN
DENVER.
SCORES ROOSEVELT
FEARS UNFAIR TREATMENT AT
HANDS OF THE
COURTS.

Denyer.-In his address to the dele
gates of the Western Federation OF
Miners annual convention in this city
Wednesday. President Charles ID.
Meyer favored a working arrangement
between this organization ana the
United Mine Workers of America and
declared that he would not oppose al
diliation with the American Federauon
of Labor though he did not CONSIDER
It advisable. He urged peaceful meth
ods for reaching working agreements
with employers, deplored the calling OF
strikes unnecessarily and Recommend
ed changes In the constitution to re-
ouire local unions to consult with the
executive council before ordering
strike.
The reports made to the convention
showed a considerable decrease In the
federation's membership during the
last year, which Is attributed to the
fact that nearly 10000 miners have
been thrown out OF work because OF
strikes and the financial troubles since
last fall.
President Meyer In his report refers
to dissensions In the ranks OF the or
.xanixation and expresses the hope that
the defeated minority may bow to the
will of the majority in all matters for
Hhe common veal.
Eight strikes were held during the
year Just closed. according to the re-
.port, the mirers gaining better condi-
tions In several instances. The strike
ION the Mesota range In Minnesota
which was called July 30. 1907. and
which resulted in complete defeat Tor
the miners and the virtual destruction
of every local union In the state. Is
characterized as an unwise ana pre-
mature affair. that was doomed TO
failure almost as noon as commenced.
The sending of United States troops
by President Roosevelt into the Gold.
field district during the strike last fall
IL condemned In strong language.
Special attention In paid to the
trouble that has arisen between the
federation and the Industrial Workers
OF the World.
President Meyer says that It is his
belief that Industrial unionism Is by
NO means popular and il not wanted
by the working class of the United
States.
Credit is given in the report for the
educational work In which the Fedora
ton has been engaged and the good
results achieved.
The death OF John II. Murphy. coun-
sel for the Federation for a number
of years. is regretfully mentioned and
. tribute paid to his memory.
The trial OF Steve Adams Is spoken
of and the hope expressed for his
.sLeedy acquittal.
In concluding the report, President
.Moyer uses this significant language
in referring to the political situation:
There has just adjourned in this city
q national convention OF one OF the old
political parties. Before the commit
tees Of this convention there appeared
labor's representatives.. praying that
there might be inserted In the platform
An anti-injunction plank. This prayer.
n I am informed. was granted and II
IL now for the voters Of the United
States to decide whether or not this
party should be placed in power. Far
be II from me TO say anything or do
anything that might interfere with
1abor's effort, organized or unorgan-
lied. to temporarily better Its condi-
tion but have we any assurance or
reason to expect an Interpretation OF
these laws favorable to labor II they
be enacted?
"Mr. Mitchell IN quoted as being par
ticularly gratified at having included
in this plank. the right OF the workers
to organize. When we remember that
federal judges by their Interpretation
Of the laws have vested supreme power
in the executive of n state and that no
court may inquire into his acts and
when. as Mr.. Mitchell says. the Su.
preme Court OF the land has SO con.
strued the laws as to make II a crime
for labor to organize. what have we u
hope for by placing further laws in the
statutes?"