The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-05-16
Recognition OF |. w. w. Was Forced
and This Ensendered Mich
Rancor Among the
Delegates.
D THE MISSIONARY WORK
Party Propaganda Efforts In U. S,
Army, National Guard and Po-
IIce and Fire De-
partments.

united PTe66 Leased Wire Service.
INDIANAPOLIS. May 16,-Another
demand that the national socialist
party go On record as favoring the i'm.
peachment Of Federal Judge Hanford
OF Washington and that Congressman
Victor Berger present charges against
the judge to the national house OF rep |
resentatives, on which Impeachment I
proceedings can be predicated, cleo |
tri1ed the national convention today. |
They came from the Tacoma, Wash,
branch Of the organization. and were
referred to the committee for con
sideration. 1t was stated that the
convention will adopt strong resolu-
tions against the court before adjourn
ment.
The rancor engendered by yester.
days fight, when the unanimous de-
cision of the national executive COM
mittee in the San Diego case was
turned down, and the recognition Of
the Industrial Workers of the World
forced, was much in evidence in to-
days convention session. The minor
ity of the committee on the returns
of the socialists with organized labor
were prepared for fight on the
floor to adopt their plan rather than
that OF the majority. 1t recognized
industrial unionism rather than
trades unions as the hest plan OF or
sanitation and. as such, pledged. -spe-
lcific support TO the Industrial Workers
| of the World, and similar organiza-
tions. While the opponents Of the
radical plan were confident that they
would eventually win out, yesterdays
unexpected overthrow had greatly
disconnected them and they declared
that the temper OF the delegates was
such they did not care to forecast
results.
In retaliation for this activity the
conservative faction was centering its
strength on an amendment to the
socialist constitution which would
curb the national strength of the 1.
W. w. 1t prohibited any socialist ac-
cepting any nomination for political
office on the recommendation of any
political party or organization other
than the socialist party. The /. w. w.
constitution prohibits any member
accepting any nomination or office
unless he first specifically secures the
endorsement of his own organization.
The effect would be to force the indus
trial workers to amend their constitu-
tion and to accept political activity
which they now oppose.
| The resolutions committee today
recommended party propaganda work
| in the u S. army, the national guard
and the police and fire departments of
the country. They also recommend
that $500 be contributed to aid the
defense of Ettor and Giovannetti, in
! jail at Lawrence, charged with murder
in connection with the strike there.
1 Because of the time wasted in dis
cussing minor matters there was a
question today whether the convention
would be able to complete its work by
Saturday night as planned While
/ the specific time of 3 o'clock tomorrow
has been fixed for nominating the ma
| tional tickets, there remains to be fin.
ally disposed Of the platform, the re.
turns Of the party to the labor move
ment, and the committee on immigra.
| ton. all of which We're certain today
| to engender bitter feeling.
1 The labor committee at today's ses
sion openly split over the question OF
endorsing the so-called Los Angeles
I plan of combined political action be
tween the American Federation OF
Labor locals and the party organiza
/ ton for reasons of political exped
iency'' and majority and minority
report was presented. The majority
report declared for socialist co-opera
tion and straddled the question OF
recognition of the Industrial Workers
4 This report was signed by Oscar
| Ameringer, chairman of the commit
tee; Algernon Lee, N. Y; Hartman
California; Behrin, and Hoen, of Mis-
souri, and Rodegriux of Illinois.
The minority report, signed by Tom
4 Lewis, Oregon Tom Hickey. Texas
and Tom Clifford, Ohio, declared that
no organization, socialist or other
wise, had any right to put a tag OF
band of distinction on labor union
or labor movement and pledged the
socialist party support to stand un
swervingly for industrial unionism."