The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-07-22
WESTERN FEDERATION OF MIN.
ERS MAY JOIN UNITED
MINE WORKERS.
WELCOMED
Conferences Planned With Delegates
From Eastern Organixation--oues.
ton Of Referendum Election Of Of
ficers 10 Brought Up-Aid in Black
Hills Planned.

Butte. July 2l.-Much important
business was transacted at the scs-
sion OF the Western Federation Of
Miners at the Auditorium hall today.
resolution In favor of the applica-
ton by the Western federation for
admission into the United Mine Work.
ers tcoal miners), and the surrender
of the charter of the Western fedora
ton, was presented to the convention
by John Vickers, a delegate of Butte
Miners union. Consideration of the
resolution was deferred, pending an
expected visit to the convention Of
three representatives OF the United
Mine Workers.
resolution providing for prompt
and aggressive action I'm the direc-
tion Of organizing the smelling In
dustry of Kansas, Oklahoma and
Illinois was presented by W. X. Frlck
of Caney union and referred TO the
committee on organization. A COM
muncatlon from Silver Center ont,
was To the effect that many workers
In that section cannot speak English
and 1t was urged that organizers who
could speak their language be sent into
the field as soon as possible. This
communication was also referred To
the committee on organization.
Union Suggested.
In the resolution providing for tho
amalgamation of the United Mine
Workers and the Western Federation
of Miners 1t was proposed that the
federation as a whole apply for ad-
mission To the United Mine Workers
| and that a conference committee of
five be appointed to confer In re-
gard to the matter with the execu-
tive board of the United Mine Work.
ers. The latter organization has jur-
lsdlction of coal mining and Dele
gate yickers urged that there should
he union of effort of the metal
| miners and coal miners. II was urged
that this move was along the same
line az had been contended for In
the union of forces of the American
Federation and the Western Fedora
ton Of Miners.
A motion to adopt the resolution
was made by c. II. Mackinnon Of
Nevada and was seconded by Hugh
Kincade OF Porcupine. Ont
President Meyer stated that the
same matter had been up before tho
federation convention last year and
was passed upon, but that this con-
yenton had perfect right, II 1t saw
fit. to repeat the investigation along
the lines of the feasibility of that
proposed amalgamation. The presi-
dent said there were conference meet
ings on the subject and 1t was found
that the United Mine Workers were
not ready to agree to some OF tho
laws under which the miners feder-
alton was acting and that no union
was possible at that time.
Joe d. Cannon OF Bisbee said tho
United Mine Workers had district or
ganizations and that the per capita
tax of the metal workers would bo
doubled IL they went into that or
ganization. Mr.. Cannon said also
|, that the workers In coal advocate tha
contract system and that system Is
opposed by the Western federation.
: 1t was stated that the federation
, would have to adopt the contract sys-
J TEN II 1t united with the United Mine
Workers
: The amalgamaton, 1t was stated.
? would cut down the heavy expense
entailed by the dual organizations.
A resolution to continue with even
more determined effort the movement
l In aid Of the loeked-out miners III the
Black Hills and to direct the incnm-
ing executive board to do everything
! possible TO aid the Black Hills min-
\ ers To sustain their rights to organ
5 lie was presented and referred 10 tho
$ committee on strikes and leckouts,
. A communication from Chloride
: union and addressed 10 Delegate
I Charles Lynch was read. 1t favored
! submitting to the convention the aues-
: ton of electing officers Of tile fed
= Grafton by referendum vote.
! e. H. Macklnnon Of Nevada moved
Q that IL special committee Of seven he
: elected by the convention to consider
5 the portion OF tho presidents report
i relating to the Inauguration OF a dif-
i ferent system for the nomination and
t election of officers Of the federation
IS The motion was carried an amends
= ment that the COMMITTEES be an-
$ pointed by the chair being voted
> down.