Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-07-14
For First Time in Its History
Federation Opens Its Doors
To the Public.
WILL NOT BE CLOSED AGAIN.
Moyer Presents Annual Rcport--A
Very Significant Reference 10
Denver Convention.

the history of the organization the con-
vention of the Western Federation OF
Miners was thrown open to the entire
public today and all sessions until fina
adjournment will also be public.
Last year organized labor and press
representatives were admitted but not
the general public.
Aside from this, the morning session
was devoted to the adoption of the re-
port of the committee on credentials
and the reading of the minutes of the
meetings of the executive board since
the last convention.
MOVERS REPORT.
Presiden Meyer made his annual re-
port and address at the afternoon ses-
sion.
President Meyer in his report refers
to discussions IN the ranks of organi-
cation and expresses the hope that the
defeated minority may bow to the VIII
of the majority In all matters for the
common veal
Eight strikes were held during the
year Just closed, according 10 the re-
port, the miners gaining better condi-
tons in several instances. The strike
in the Masaba range In Minnesota,
which was called July 30, 1901 and
which resulted in complete defeat tof
the miners and the virtual destruction
of every local union In the state Is
characterized as an unwise and prem
allure affair, that was doomed TO failure
almost as soon as commenced. The
sending of United States troops by
President Roosevelt into the Goldileld
district during the strike last fall Is
condemned in strong language.
INDUSTRIAL WORKERS.
Special attention is paid to the trou-
BILE that has arisen between the fed
GRAFTON and the Industrial Workers OF
the World. President Meyer says that
1t is his belief that Industrial unlonism
is by no means popular ana is 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-
sci for the federation for number
of years. is regretfully mentioned, and
a tribute paid to his memory.
The trial of Steve Adams is spoken
of and the hope expressed for his
speedy acquittal.
POLITICAL SITUATION.
In concluding the report President
Meyer uses this significant language
in referring to the political situation;
There has just adjourned in this city
a national convention of one of the old
political parties. Before the committees
of this convention there appeared la
hor's representatives praying that there
might the inserted in the Democratic
platform an anti-lnjunction plank.
Their prayer, as | am informed, was
granted, and It is now for the voters of
the United States TO decide whether or
not this party should be placed in pow
er Far be it from me to say any
thing or do anything that might interfere
with labor's efforts organized or unor-
ganized, to temporarily better its con-
ditlon. but have we any assurance or
reason to expect an Interpretation of
these laws favorable to labor, II they
be enacted?
Mr. Mitchell Is 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 pow
er in the executive of a state, and that
no court may inquire into his acts and
when as Mr.. Mitchell says, the supreme
court of the land has so construed
the laws as to make 1t a crime for
labor TO organize, what have we to
hope for by placing further laws on
the statutes?"