Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-15
STATE FEDERATION
Of LABOR IN JOLIET
FOR ANNUAL MEET
CONVENTION OPENED TODAY
CONTEST is STARTED BY FOR
CHANGE IN ELECTION LAWS.

Joliet. oct with Duncan Nc
Donlad, OF Oglesgy. former secretary
treasurer OF the Illinois United Mine
Workers OF America, leading the
fieht for referendum system of elect
ing officers the annual convention Of
the Illinois Federation of Labor
opened here today The convention
will last turnout the week, closing on
Saturday
John II Walker. president. the
strongest supporter OF the present
elective system, opposed any change
Mr. Walker will be here but two days
After delivering his annual address
and naming standing committees. he
will leave for Bisbee. Ariz.. to rejoin
the commission investigating labor
difficulties in the west, being recently
appoined a member by President Viii
son
The referendum fight is expected to
be the CHIEF topic of discussion. This
is expected to be taken up as soon
as the report of the legislative com
mittee is made That the contest will
close is presaged by the fact that dur
ing the convention in 1916 the vote on
the subject was split 249 to 205. bare
ly saving the referendum
approximately 1000 local unions
and it is believed it is the largest
ever held in Illinois Delegates from
all parts of The state continued to
pour into the city during the morn
ing This is the thirtyfifth annual
convention The sessions are being
held in the 0rpheum theater while
the convention headquarters were es-
tablished in the Hotel Monroe
Nominations for president. secre
tary and other offices will be made
during the sessions. Mr. Walker has
announced his candidacy for re cleo.
ton, as has also Victor Olander the
present secretary. and a member of
the State Council OF Defense. Dun.
can Mcdonald and James F Morris,
have been mentioned as possibilities
for the presidency, but it is stated on
good authority they will retire in ia
vOr Of the present incumbent f. E
Duncan. of Danville, and Adolph Ger.
mer, of Belleville. two aspirants for
the secretaryship. are also expected
to vacate, leaving the reelection of
Mr. Walker and Victor Olander, prac-
tically assured at the annual cleo
ton, December II
One of the matters Of important
business to be discussed during the
session Is the revision Of the state
constitution. A bitter fight is ex
pected In this connection the refer
endum vote is the most important is
sue.
An echo of the Springfield street
car strike will be heard when a move
ment is launched against an injuc
ton suit granted in Springfield some
time ago by Judge +. S Smith in the
circuit court The court granted the
Springfield Utilities Company the
. right to restrain persons from demon
STATIONS in any form against the com
a, pany in connection with the stree
car strike. MI Walker has declared
il Judge Smith has been paid as
strike-breaker. he could not have act
ed more successfully for the company
His protests assert the injunction /
violation OF the rights Of American
, citizens Besides this. general all
ing of the labor situation in Illnoi
will probably be heard Each dele
cation has been empowered with r.
ports to defend their stand whereye
/, disputes exist now or have existed
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