The Colorado statesman., 1908-07-18
THE WESTERN
FEDERATION
PRESIDENT MOVERS ADDRESS AT
MINERS CONVENTION IN
DENVER.
SCORES ROOSEVELT
EEARo- UNFAIR TREATMENT AT
HANDS OF THE
COURTS.

Denver-In his address to the dele
gates of the Western Federation OF
Miners annual convention in this city
Wednesday, President Charles H.
Meyer favored working arrangement
between this organization and the
United Mine Workers of America and
declared that he would not oppose af-
filiation with the American Federation
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-
uuire 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
ganizatior and expresses the hope that
the defeated minority may bow to the
will of the majority in all matters for
the 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
on the Mesota range in Minnesota
which was called July 80, 1907, and
which resulted in complete defeat for
the miners and the virtual destruction
of every local union in the state, is
characterized as an unwise and pre-
mature affair, that was doomed to
failure almost as soon as commenced.
The sending of United States troops
by President Roosevelt into the Gold
field district during the strike last fall
is condemned in strong language.
Special attention is 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 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
tion has been engaged and the good
results achieved.
The death of John H. Murphy, coun
sci for the Federation for 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
speedy acquittal
In concluding the report, president
Meyer uses this significant Language
in referring to the political situation
There has just adjourned in this city
national convention of one of the ole
political parties. Before the commit
| tees of this convention there appeared
labor's representatives, praying sla
there might be inserted in the platform
an anti-injunction plank. This prayer
as l am informed, was granted and II
is now for the voters of the United
States to decide whether or not thi;
| party should be placed in power. Fal
be it from me to say anything or dc
anything that might interfere witt
labor's effort, organized or unorgan
| lied, to temporarily better it's condi
ton but have we any assurance ol
reason to expect an Interpretation Of
these laws favorable to labor If 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 power
in the executive of state and that nc
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 it a crime
for labor to organize, what have we &C
hope for by placing further laws in the
statutes?"