United labor bulletin., 1912-08-22

previous meeting had Just been read when the pres
dent asked for the report of the credentials commit
tee Chairman Terney said that the committee ha
the credentials of James A. Conkle proposed dele
gate from Union Label League No l. He said tina
objection had been made to the credentials, and tn
committee decided to report them to the convention
without recommendation.
When Chairman Tierney had sat down some dele
gate moved that the credentials be accepted. The
Hickey took the floor and said that h
had objected to the credentials account of al
article which appeared in The United Labor Bu
etn on Aug. s. 1912 the week previous to the cor
vention. This is the article which the secretar
read:
LABOR FEDERATION STATE CONVENTION
MEMBERS SAY ORGANIZATION is DIsINTE-
GRATINe-MiNERs IN CONTROL.
Monday Aug 12 the annual convention of
Colorado State Federation of Labor will be held in
Cripple Creek. Colo. The convention, it is believed
will not be large the one held at Colorado
Springs year. 1t is argued that the state
zaon is dsintegrating. and that the convention this
unless there is radical change in the conducting OF
the organization II is pointed out that at this time
been completely in the hands of the two miners or
ganzatons; that they control the officers. and that
the is used solely for the oenent OF me
miners organizations. and that all the beneht the
miscellaneous trades receive from the state organiza
ton is the right to say they pay per capita tax to the
officers who spend their entire time, with very few
exceptions looking after the interests of the miners
Last year. Colorado Springs Denver sent
largest delegations convention
protest against continuing in office the same
They voted almost soiidy against the present
secretary; yet the miners. who had already named
the president from their ranks said that they wanted
Hickey. and their votes made him secretary With
the few personal friends that any Official may have
the vote Of the miners organizations will always
elect
The situation. viewed by many members, is be
neved be critical If a large organization is to be
maintained then it be understood that the per
capita paid to that organization must be spent in
interests the affiliated organizations and not to
pay yearly salaries of officers who devoting part
OF their time of the trades and are kept
in the remainder of the time by the organiza
ons for which they have given part of their time
The business before the organization
will be semipolitical The federation machine will
certain people be endorsed. and other inter
ests VIII present names for preferment-
The the time will be spent in oratory and
endorsing what the organization has done for the
United Mine Workers during the year. The benefits
to that organization have been great The other
ganizations have received no attention TO speak Of
When Hickey had finished the reading he mad
some comment the article. He then sat down
cut followed by several other delegates wh'
we're opposed 10 accepting the credentials.
Delegate Tanquary moved that the floor b'
,iven 10 Mr.. Conkle. and the motion carried. Mr.
,onkle took the floor and said that he meant gus
,xactly what said in the article. He said tha
N years past the miners organizations had had con
ro of the state federation, and that at that tim'
I had disintegrated- organizations had withdraw
ntil there nothing left TO speak of but officers
The editor argued that he or any other person hac
right to criticise the organization or its officer
without being in contempt of the convention tht
miners organizations He said that to question TIN
light to critcise the organization its affliation
vas to question the right of free speech and free
,ress
Mr.. Conkle followed by members of th'
miners organizations in such rapid succession thai
President McLennan did not know which t,
ecognize first. Edward Doyle the secretary ot
District 10. u. NJ. W. of A.. first recognized
Mr.. Doyle is of the sixteen miners that i'm
,risoned by Judge Whtford and for whom The
Bulletin could have been adjudged in contempt il
my of its issues. Mr. Doyle called attention Il
IN article in the issue of March H. 1912. 1t had tC
10 with the building of state army by union mer
n Denver. Mr.. Doyle read excerpts from the article
md distorted it in such way to lead the dele
rates to believe that The Bulletin arguing In
avor of state militia. He dwelt at length on the
military in control of the Cripple Creek district, he
lead that Conkle should not be seated in memory
f the that had been deported from the district
in memory of the widowed mothers and father
ess children. Doyle waved his hands to heaven III
oly horror of the thought of seating man of such
haracter.
Doyle was followed by John Lawson, member OF
he national executive board for District 15 He
allied attention to an article which also appeared
n The Bulletin on March H. 1912 This article was
ii regard to the mining of coal by the state and
eng to the people at cost. 1t argued that
oa could be sold in Denver Mt less than trust
rices. and gave the prices at which the Post sells