United labor bulletin., 1911-03-23
CIVIC FEDERATION
AND TRADESUNIONS
Spotlight Thrown on fractional
Fight of Miners.

(6y !. II. Bratton, Colorado sprinss.)
Much has been said by the press gen.
orally and the labor papers In particular
in reference to the action Of the recent
international convention Of the United
Mine Workers Of America in amending
its constitution 80 that any member OF
the United Mine Workers who holds
membership in the National Civic Fed
GRAFTON could not continue to hold mem
bership in the United Mine Workers OF
America.
II In not my intention at this time to
either approve or denounce the action Of
that convention. To the contrary, take
the position that those who are discuss
ina the matter in the press either for or
AGAINST the resolution and especially
ahose who know but little u anything Of
the constitution Of the miners' great or
uanixation are wasting much valuable
time and energy that could be well useo
In soIidifying the ranks OF organized "a
bor generally.
There are those who say that the pas
sage Of the resolution was spite worh
and the outgrowth OF dissension- take
a different view altogether and base my
opinion upon the following facts
Early in the month OF December last
the miners organization held It's annual
election. John Mitchell, the man whofn
this resolution Affects. together with
president It l.. Lewis and many others
were voted upon for delegates to the
American Federation OF Labor conven-
ton. MIR. Mitchell receiving much the
highest vote OF any candidate In tne
Acid In the same election the man VINO
in generally believed TO nave been ne
hind the influence that passed the reso
luton was defeated for reelection oy
large majority. With full knowledge OF
the fact that such resolution was 60
Inr 10 be presented. and with the fur
tber knowledge of the fact that similar
resolutions have been smothered at pre-
yious conventions for lack OF time or
more urgent business, within ie"
x.eeks after the rank and file oil the
,niners' organization gave John Mitcnei
such a large and complimentary vote as
delegate TO the American Federauon con
vention and defeated I, l.. LfMis os
bfg majority. they selected delegates 10
tbc columbus convention who passed by
n big majority the resolution which de-
nIed TO Mr.. Mitchell the right 10 carry
card in the miners organization II ne
continued TO hold his membership In the
National civic Federation.
n Is reasonable TO presume that nose
delegates represented the views OF the
majority OF their constituents. Ihat pe
ing the case there is but one eoneluslon
20 be reached and that is that the MIN
ora still love and adore John Mitchell.
hut they do not love the company ne
kent. But you say that that is going
100 far II may be that you are rish'.
hut we generally try our constitutions
amendments out after We pass them. Just
10 find out how they work. And II fonnd
inimicai TO the well-being OF the organ
Ization we generally repeal them
Al various times has the miners OF.
SANITATION been forced TO solicit moral
and financial support from the traae
unionists OF this country And am
proud to say that we always received
most generous response. will say.
however. that not alone to return graft
tud. but for the love of the movement
and with the full knowledge oil our outy
to our fellow man the miners have the
reputation OF being the most generous
people on earth. But when any iaoor
organization. labor leader or labor paper
negiects his own business suncasn.,s ..s
long to pass on the constitutional amend
mcnts of another union when such
amendment does not in any way anect
or concern him then that organisation,
labor leader or labor paper is not ohis
treadinK on dangerous ground but he is
liable to be caught mapping on matters
Affecting his own best interests
The American labor movement never
had a great man than John Mitcheh-
Thos. Lewis is in every way MS peer,
Different though they are IN pe'suna 1ssr
ity, In thought and action anu IN ,,n,,,
every manner and habit, they ooth
sought the same object. that was to bet
tor the condition of the toilers. Ana ~
waa the blending of the difference OF
these two great men that has made ,he
miners organization invincibie' Yes
say invincible.
AS I have above stated, ! am no, go
ing TO discuss the merits OF the Ieso,u
.,nr put II II is as you, say. the out
Growth Of a faction fight then all the
more reason that the outside should
cease comment else you irritate one rae,
,,on or the other. Any Intervention that
tends to irritatc rather than obhtera.e
fractional lines is not well meant ana Will
be accepted in bad faith.