Evening star., 1911-08-27
POLICY Of MACH|N|STS
ON PROGRESSIVE LINES
Change Promised as Result of
Recent Eiection-State-
ment by New President.

A sweeping change In the policy OF the
International Association of Machinsts is
predicted to follow the election of Will
liam II. Johnson as president of the as
sociation over James O'Connell, president
for the past eighteen years and right
hand man to Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation of Labor.
Tentative plans for a progressive cam
paign that will have wide scope in deal
ing with the problems now facing the
laboring men are being prepared by the
new president.
Victory for Socialists.
1t is declared that the socialists are re-
sponsible for Mr.. O'Connelrs defeat, as
in the case of the recent removal of John
Mitchell as head Of the Miners Union.
While Mr.. Johnson, who is a socialist.
said yesterday that socialism was not
potent factor in his election. and that he
did not run as a socialist candidate, -
admitted that he received practically
every socialist vote cast.
That the policy to be outlined by the
new president will be progressive and
fully abreast with the times, is state
ment made by Mr.. Johnson lats night.
by this method" he said. I'VE expect
to practically double the membership Of
the association during the coming year.
for anly a small majority of the machin-
lists are at present enrolled.
Shorten Hours of Labor.
Another important matter with which
we shall come directly in contact, will be
a movement to lower the wage hour Of
the machinists throughout the country.
This movement, which will be national in
it's intention and scope. will be fairer to
employer than any other of which l can
conceive. Instead of attempting to
lower the working hours in one city, and
letting a manufacturers competitor have
the advantage over him in the matter of
hours in another city. 1t will eb the aim
of the National Association Of Machinists
to secure national legislation that will
deal with every manufacturer alike, no
matter what section of the country"
The results of the election, cast by the
hundreds of lodges throughout the coun-
try in referendum mail vote for officers.
was made public yesterday. President
Johnson received 15. 300 votes. while Pres
ident O'Connell's total was 1891 votes.
The present six vice presidents of the
organization were reelected.
Ballots cast, in the election were sent
to the national headquarters in Wash
ington and were counted by the tellers
elected at the last convention.
Association Officers.
Officers Of the International associa-
ton. to take their positions January /.
will be, as follows:
President William H. Johnston OF
Washington; editor of the journal, D.
D. Wilson OF Washington; general sec
retary-treasurer, George Preston, of
Washington: vice presidents, J. D. Buck
alew, Topeka, Kan: William Harmon,
Seattle; T. L. Wilson. Cleveland; Wal
ter Ames, Boston; j. J.. Kepler New
York city: F. ]. Conlon, Washington and
Louis Beuloin of Montreal.
Delegates to the American Federation
Of Labor-B. F. Lamb, st. Louis; Thom-
as Van Lear, st. Paul; John J. keegan,
Indianapolis, and F. w. Buckley, Oak
land,
General executive board-R. G. Cook,
Bremerton. Wash: James Somerville, C.
I. Nicholson, Salt Lake City; E. L.
Tucker of Washington, and Hugh Doran
of Chicago.