The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-07-20
LABOR WAR
WILL BE
DISCUSSED
Dissen,ion in Ranks at Butte is
Chief Topic to Come Before
the Western Federation
Of Miners
By United Press.

By United Press.
Denver July 20.-The recent dlssen.
tion in Butte in the ranks of the West
ern Federation of Miners which result
ed in several serious riots, was the
principal topic of discussion when the
annual convention of the federation
was called to order here today by Pres
ident Charles H. Meyer. 1t had been
expected that the Michigan copper
strike would occupy most of the atten-
tion of the meetings, but the critical
Butte situation overshadowed it.
President Meyer was summoned to
Butte last month as soon as the trou-
BILE began and remained in Montana
during all OF the exciting days which
followed. II is expected he will make
a personal report to the convention re-
garding the situation and recommend
course of action. In past conven-
tons the Butte delegation has been
nearly the largest in attendance. The
Calumet copper strike will also be dis.
cussed at length. President Mover and
Auditor G. H. Tanner viii report on the
final outcome of the trouble, with es.
pecial reference to their experiences al
Hancock when they were deported by
a mob of armed men.
One hundred and fifty delegates arc
here. The convention will last two
weeks.
The Butte situation, which is COM
pelling the attention Of the federation
delegates is outlined by John M.
o'Ncill, editor of the official paper OF
the Western Federation as follows:
Dissatisfaction had long existed
among the 5000 members of the Butte
local Charges were made that ma
tional officers were perpetuating them
selves in office, and as consequence
were able to own rich ranches and
summer homes in Colorado and Ne
vada Special assessments for the
Michigan strike were alleged to bo
excessive
National officers and adherents OF
the federation say they are prepared
to refute these complaints. They ad-
nit that local officials of the union at
Butte were lax in the performance OF
their duties but say that is because
members of the Butte organization in
corporated a clause in the local by
laws making it Impossible for a union
official to serve two terms AS to the
exorbitant assessments it is pointed
out that the total assessments for the
twenty-one years of the unions exist
ence we're only $74.5O This IS a per
capita assessment of $3.50 year. Con
corning the charge that national off
GERS are running a steam roller for
their own reelection, it is declared
President Charles Meyer recently ar
ranged for the election of officers by
referendum.
National officers of the Western Fed
eraticn assert that members of the |. |
w. w. are responsible for all the trou-
BILE at Butte, At the present conven-
tion a committee will be appointed to
visit Butte and conduct an election of
new officers for the local there Pres
ident Meyer predicts that the Second |
union" formed at Butte under the lead
ership of Muckie Mcdonald will soon
fall. Affiliation with the American
Federation of Labor viii be shrdluetaoi |
Federation of Labor will be denied, |
they say since only one organization
of craft is admitted