The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-01-27

work in and around metalifferous mines
and smelters. President O'Connel of
! the machnists fought this resolution
bitterly, and, | might add, venomously.
| President Meyer addressed the conven-
ton and made a clear and concise state
ment of the position taken by his or
ganization. He made the assertion,
and it was ndisputed, that in the en-
tire metalifferous district OF the United
States less than 400 members of craft
unions would be compelled to transfer
their membership to the Western Fed
Grafton. But l so machinists would be
involved. On the other side of the scale
were 40. 900 members OF the w. +. NJ.
ready to affiliate with the A. F. of L.
and 10000 more organized men not now
affiliated, who would doubtless follow
the lead of the w. F. NJ. Mr.. Meyer made
it very clear that while the organiza-
ton of which he was the executive
head wished to become an integral part
of the great American labor movement
it in no way abandoned, its funda-
mental principle of industrialization of
industry. He made it plain that in his
industry at least all crafts could be
better protected by, coming into the
paramount organization. He agreed,
however, that men working at tempo
rary work, such as construction work,
whether it be three months, six months,
be left undisturbed in their affiliation
to their own craft organization. The
absolute fairness of Mr.. Meyers posi-
ton was apparent to those who wished
to be fair Mr.. OConnel was obdurate
and used every parliamentary trick,
all the sophistry of argument he could
muster. And with all due courtesy to
the gentleman, he is a master of So
phstry. With a beautiful inconsist-
ency, considering that but few days
previously he had attempted to swallow
up for his organization the Elevator
Constructors international Union, he
gave utterance to this bombastic flow
of language;
Mr. President. we have come to the
parting of the ways. For the first time
in the history of our affiliation with
the A. F. of L.. am compelled to give
warning on behalf of my organization
that if this charter is granted over our
protest | fear our organization will feel
itself compelled to terminate the rela-
tionship which has so long existed be-
tween us and the A. +. of L." Mr..
QComel had suddenly become a ''se-
cessionist."
First Vice President Duncan and Sec
Ond Nice-President Mitchell argued for
, the granting of the charter in accord
f ance with the Mine Workers resou-
- ton. O'Connel was fighting losing
battle and knew it and made des-
up his forces. He raised this point of
/ order:
i"i''h WIS l''lht vi IA" ht'b'oii
II of Article 8 of the constitution of
a the A. f. of L. says:
f No charter shall be granted by the
e \. F., of l.. to any national, interna
I tional, trade or federal labor union
l without a positive and clear definition
of the trade jurisdiction claimed by the
. applicant, and the charter shall not be
granted if the jurisdiction claimed is
trespass on the jurisdiction of existing
) affiliated unions, without the written
, consent of such unons."
2 7 raised the point that this applica-
e ton is a trespass upon the affiliated
organizations of the International Aso-
ISOLATION of Machinists; that I have
not given my written consent or con-
sent in any way to the charter being
, granted.
President Gompers refused to rule on
the point raised without time for con
sideration and an adjournment was tax
en- for the night
! P'H '"ilNeHIIlS III" lolloNlHS HoIH'
ing President Gompers asked Mr., O'Con-
mel if he still insisted upon his point
of order Upon replying that he did
Mr. Gompers made the following rul-
ing;
"The question involves the point of
whether a charter can be issued to the
Western Federation of Miners with the
claim of the delegate of the Interna-
tional Association of Machinists that
its jurisdiction is being trespassed, and
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