Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-22
Emergency Committee Named
by the Textile Workers.
AUTHORITY OVER STRIKES
Favorable Action on Amendment to
Constitution Follows Discussion.
CHOICE OF OFFICERS TODAY
All But One of Old Board Reflect
ed-Plans for Organizing
the Craft.

Power to call a strike whenever the oc-
casion demands was conferred on a spe-
cial committee, known as the emergency
committee" by the eighth annual conven-
ton of the United Textile Workers of
America at today's session. in the Typo
graphical Temple in this city. The action
came as an amendment to one Of the by
laws. and Is the direct result, it Is
claimed. of the growth of the organize
ton. The committee Is to be composed
Gf the president of the order. the secre-
tary-treasurer and three members of the
the matter of ordering strikes, of the ex-
ecutive council, with a membership OF
fifteen.
THE amendment creating this COM
mittee has come as a result Of the nat
ural growt1, and expansion Of the or
ganization, said President Golden ut
eliminates the necessity of consulting
with every member OF the executive cOun-
Gil before calling a strike, and the re-
sulting loss of valuable time in a crisis
involving the welfare of the unions men,
bers. AS 1t stands now, a strike can be
called by the committee on the spot, and
Will meet emergencies which demand
prompt vigorous action without the loss
of moments time
Opposition Develops.
The amendment did not meet with the
approval Of all the delegates and some
opposition developed until several In
stances where a committee with such
strike powers could have brought en-
ployers to time were called to their at
tention. There was an hour or more Of
discussion OF the subject in which past
difficulties Of the organization with their
employers in the matter of cuts in wages
were thoroughly aired.
In advocating the adoption of the
measure President Golden took the floor
and addressed the convention:
We've had some bitter experiences in
the past he declared. Striking ex-
amples Of why this amendment should
be adopted and put into force as soon as
feasible. The little manufacturer is the
man who has made the trouble. and
knowing our constitution as he does-they
all do-and our inability to call a strike
without the consent of the entire execu-
tive council, he has imposed decreases in
wages, and what not-a thing he WOULDN'T
have dreamed of had the threat Of an i'm
mediate strike been hanging over his
head.
Cites Instances.
There Is enc instance of this in Sara
toga, and during the past year there was
another in Paterson-an example you all
we'll know. The threat of an immediate
strike would have avoided both of these
differences.
Its the little fry among the manufac-
turers we have to guard against, because
OF their unexpainable arrogance and SUI
percilious manner in treating with local
unions. The big men don't bother us in
this respect. Petty things of that sort
are beyond them, and when differences
do arise they show commendable will
lingnesS to try to come to an agreement.
Impose this power In your national Of
flcers and put an end to the tactics re-
ferred to. Don't tie their hands when
your interests are involved, and rest as
sured they won't abuse your confidence
Others who discussed the amendment
were Delegates Fleming and Ross OF
Massachusetts, Hall Of Pennsylvania and
Morgan of New Jersey. 1t was eventually
passed without a dissenting vote.
Officers Elected.
At the opening Of today's session
there was an election of officers. with
the exception of the members of the
executive council. They will be chosen
this afternoon. All but the second vice
president of the former board Of officers
were reelected. The officers for the en-
suing year are as follows: President
John Golden. Fall River Mass; first
vice president, James Tansey, Fall
River. Mass; second vice president.
Thomas Morgan. paterson. N. j.. and
secretary treasurer, Albert HILBERT OF
Fall River. Mass.
When the reelection of Messrs. Col
den, Tansey and Hilbert was announc-
ed the convention paid each a pretty
tribute in recognition of past services.
During a discussion on a report from
the committee on organization relative
to the past work of National Organizer
Charles A. Miles in Paterson, N. j.. and
the practicability of transferring him
in the near future to another field.
Delegate Morgan of New Jersey made
the statement that with a present union
membership in that city of S75 he could
promise that practically every mill in
Paterson would be unionized in the
next eighteen months.
Organizer Invaluable.
1--WE want Organizer Miles with us to
keep up his work. He has been invalua-
BILE to us and to this organization" said
Mr. Morgan. But if this convention in
its wisdom sees fit to take him away,
we'll go on with the work ourselves. We
have between 800 and 900 union men and
women in that town now, and no mat
ter If Miles leaves US or not we'll unionize
every one of those sixty-one miles in a
year and half. We can do it,
Organizer Miles has been laboring in
the interest of the textile workers at
Paterson for fourteen months. The con-
yention finally decided to place him in a
new field as soon as the Paterson unions
could train satisfactory business agent
of their own.
1t was also decided to send a temporary
organizer into the neighborhood of Dover,
Mass, where it was declared union con-
ditions have not been in the most salts
condition for some time past.
The adoption of several amendments
of q minor nature to the bylaws Of the
one of which affected the
transfer Of membership, concluded the
session.
There is considerable business to be dis
posed of before the convention adjourns
and with q view of concluding their la
bors today this afternoons session will
probably be prolonged. If 1t is found this