The Detroit times., 1912-01-18
TELL LABOR TO BECOME
ACTIVE IN POLITICS
United Mineworkers Adopt Reso-
luton In Their Annual
Convention


Labor is called upon to enter politics
in a resolution adopted by the United
| Mine Workers I'm international conven'
ton here today. The resolution adopt
cd Is substitute for one introduced
indossing the socialist movement. The
constitution OF the mine workers pro
hibits action favoring any distinct
party. AS adopted the document sim.
Fly advocates independent political
action by the workers.
The bill by Rep. Victor l.. Berger
tSoc.. Wis., providing for old age
pension was Endorsed.
Alleged opposition OF the judicial
powers prejudicial to the cause OF la
Dor Is spoken OF In the election reso-
mti1n and II is declared that the time
has come when IL is both just and nee
essary for labor TO enter the political
as well as the industrial field In It's
battle for larger rights.
Opposition to the crafts system OF
organization in the American Fedora
ton. OF Labor crystalized In the pass
age OF resolution instructing miners
delegates to the next federation con-
,ventlon TO use their influence TO have
the complete Industrial form OF organ
ization supersede the former form.
Both international and district ON
GERS OF the miners were instructed TO
attend every labor convention possible
and work for the complete industrial
!, form of organization In which all
crafts in an industry are Joined to-
gether.
kilograms were authorized sent to
Congressman w. B. Wilson, OF Penn
sylvania, and John Mitchell, former
miners president, OF Mount Vernon,
NJ Y. asking that they come to In
dianapclis and explain to the conven-
ton their lack OF opposition to the
National Civic Federation In the 1911
American Federation of Labor con-
ventlon at Atlanta. Both spoke in
favor of the civic organization, al
though they voted to condemn II in
accordance with the miners instruc-
tons to them as delegates.
The two other federation delegates
from the miners, President Frank
: Villages and John III. Walker, presi-
dent of the Illinois miners, are here
and will also explain their attitude.
They are opposed to the Civic Fedora
tion.
The tide OF opposition to the crafts
system In the organization of the Am
erican Federation OF Labor was run
ming high when the United Mine Work
ers met in international convention
here today. Sentiment In favor OF
(. adopting the pending resolution pro-
viding that the coal miners officials
shah confer with the officials OF other
labor unions in the federation relative
10 making the organization a COM
plete industrial unit appeared to be
increasing.
Supporters OF the resolution main
tanned that labor is severely handicap
ped in its struggle with capital under
the crafts system by which different
trades organize independently and
fight their battles for economic better
ment single-handed. Under the COM
plete Industrial form all trades stand
together in the battle OF any particu-
lar trade for larger economic liberty.
Delegate John Masoner, OF Colorado,
: speaking today In regard TO crafts
unionism, illustrated what he termed
the evil OF the system In the present
miners strike IN the state which has
now lasted % months.
Union carpenters built the bull
pens into which non-union miners are
thrust while working in the mines" he
said, Union railroad employees haul
not only non-union coal, but non
union laborers to take the place OF
union men. And the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor stands for such work
az that"
The wage scale committee, compos-
ed Of the "a district presidents OF the
miners, with John II. Walker, OF IL
linois, as chairman, held it's first meet
ing today. No report will be made I'M
til all other important business is out
OF the way.
News from the meeting OF the coal
operators Of Indiana, Ohio, West Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania at Pittsburgh,
today, was eagerly awaited by miners.
Ohio and Pennsylvania have not yet
consented to joint wage conference
with representatives Of the miners, fol-
lowing the close of the convention
,here. Action was expected to be taken
al today's meeting.
After the convention had gone on
record yesterday as favoring govern
ment ownership of industries, the So
cialists among the 1900 delegates
launched resolution indorsing
their party as "the political party Of
the working class" but 1t met re-
sistance.
Stormy debate occupied the after
noon session and the question went
over until today.