New-York tribune., 1912-01-18
SOCIALISTS CAPTURE:
MINERS CONVENTION
Will Insist Their Party BE IN
dorsed as Political OrganIza-
tion of Working Class.
HAVE A MAJORITY OF VOTES
Convention Goes on Record as Fa-
voring Government Ownership
of All Industries-Gompers
Denounced as a Re
dictionary.


dictionary"
INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. i7.-After the conven-
ton Of the United Mine Workers OF
America had gone on record as favcring
government ownership Of all industries tne
socialists among the thirteen hundred dele
gates launched a resolution indorsinG thel'
party as the political party Of the WORKING
class" but II met resistance. Stormy de-
hate occupied the afternoon session. ana
the question went over until tomorrow.
Action also was deferred on a resolution
providing that the United Mine workers
withdraw from the American Federation ot
! a bor Condemning the National Nv"
Federation as an agent Of capitalists, ana
sharply Criticsing Samuel Gompers. John
Mitchell ana other leaders Of the Fedora
lion OF Labor for cooperation with IN"
civic Federation.
Pacauso the constitution Of the United
Mine Workers stipulates that IT shall b"
non-politcal. the resolutions committee re-
ported IL non-concurred in the resolution
committing the organization to the So
cialist party. and offered substitute de-
CIaring only 1T would be we'll II workers
would unite on the political as we'll as the
industrial field
Power 10 Use Bsyonet IL Necessary.
John Walker president Of the Illinois
miners. speaking for the Socialists, tnt-
mated that il necessary an effort would
hc made TO amend the constitution 50 that
the national union could indorse the So
cialist party In a fiery speech. he said
N you will not listen 70 our pleading
You will pay the cost" The "capitalistic
parties" he said. possessed the power 10
enforce injunctions, Ito Kill II necessary,
and he urged that the working class should
seek political power SO that ~ there IS
need 10 use the injunction and the bayon"t
trov will he used in defence Of your fire
sides"
Protesting against the campaign ~ the
Socialists I'm the convention, James Mooney
president Of the Missouri miners. declared
the delegates could not pledge the Mine
Workers or America To any political party.
/ have lust as much right 20 force you 10
ioin the Democratic or Republican party
as you have 10 bind me 10 the Socialist
party" he said.
Shouted applause greeted William Hines.
Of Favette city. Penn. Adolph Germer, "
Rellvillo. III. and other Socialist orators n"
they charged the Republican and Demo
cratic parties with faithlcssness 10 the
miners cause. Repeatedly their support
crs werc able to rally a large majority OF
votes in favor Of extending their speaking
time
The Republican and Democratic parties
have thrown YOU into Jail time after time, -
la hack and
voted for the Jail again. The corporations
will finally force you into the Socialist
party" He denounced federal injunctions
against "picketing" and the courts that is
sued them "A few more rulings by the
federal judiciary will cause YOU 10 exercise
your political freedom he said.
Opponents OF the Socialist propa sanda are
expected To speak at length at tomorrow :
session before vote is taken. Antagonists
10 the resolution providing for secession
from tho American Federation Of Labor
appeared IN both the conservative and tho
Socialist factions. Tic resolutions commit
tee was instructed 20 group proposed meas
urcs advocating the transformation II the
Federation Of Labor from an association
of crafts unions 10 "A general Industrial or
Canization each Of whose members could
depend upon the other To cooperate with
# I'm strikes 4 large number of such rcso-
lutions have been offered.
Gompers Called "Reactionary.'
Samuel Gompers was characterized as a
'rcactionary" 10y Thomas l. Lewis. former
national president Of the miners AS long
AS Gompcrs is at tho head Of tho Federation
he will oppose the general industrial or
ranization az contrastcd with the separate
crafts union idea" he said But the time
will come when leaders I'm the Federation
will be compelled TO step down or come
over To the principle OF closed formation.
working for the benefit Of the whole labor
ing class
4 referendum vote is to bc taken among
the metal miners of the Western Fedora
ton Of Miners on the question Of comhina-
ton with the coal miners, and j. a. Nc
KinnOn, OF Denver. reported to the conven-
tion that the indications were that the
proposition would be approved by large
majority.
After we have united on the industrial
field we will unite on the political field, and
then the men that daily risk their lives I'm
mining coal and metals Will get that which
belongs to them" said Mr.. Mckinnon.