Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-11-16
Attempt Of Mexican Delegates
at Pan-American Labor
Conference to Demand Re-
lease Of Prisoners Beaten,
HAYWOOD WAS FALSE,
HE TELLS DELEGATES
GonperS Suspects Real Mean
ing Of Resolution and Its
Author Confesses Its Pur-
pose When Questioned,

Dy Mexican delegates TO the pam
American labor conference to have
adopted 4 resolution aiming at the
release from prison of Industrial
Workers of the World today brought
forth an attack on that organization
by American labor leaders who de-
feated the plan.
The opposition to the Mexican res
offered as "A result of 1. W. w.
influence in Mexico. was led by
Charles H. Meyer, who as president
of the Western Federation of Miners
several years ago and associated with
him as secretary of that organization
d. Haywood, now secretary
and treasurer of the I. w. w. who is
serving a sentence under the espion-
age act.
Samuel Gompers, after the resou-
ton had been introduced. drew Nout
the fact that It was intended to aid
/. w, WIS and at once all
the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor attacked the
which was warmly de-
Tended by some of the Mexican dele
gates.
Moyer, who is now president of the
Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers. pre-
viously had taken no part in the con-
ference proceedings. He arose TO
answer a statement by Il Mexican deli
egate that the I. w. W had convinced
many Mexican workmen that the
American Federation of Labor fought
the Haywood organization merely be-
cause the two organizations were
seeking the same end by different
means Meyer, who with Haywood,
had been charged with the murder of
Governor Steunenberg of Idaho, pre-
sented a dramatic figure when he
arose.
Past Is Recalled.
my name is Moyer," he said. "Re-
member that name and 60 back to
Mexico and tell them what | say
Twelve years ago Meyer. Haywood
and Pettibone We're on trial for their
lives and although we were not af-
fliated with the American Federation
of Labor, that organization contrib
uted the funds which enabled us to
prove our innocence and saved our
lives.
"Pettibone died, and on hs death
bed he gave thanks to the American
Federation of Labor for the help 1t
had given him. Meyer lived and
served and has tried to be true to the
organization to which he owes his
life He is now paying part of the
debt he owes them. Haywood was
false; he started at once an organi-
zation to undermine his benefactors
and to injure his country"
nnunIttttn1, tnhinh brnlfnht ntIt
the debate was amended to provide
that the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor should
investigate any report of men inn
properly imprisoned and take what
action the members saw fit. The
resolution as adopted read:
THAT an agreement be reached as
to the best way for finding honor
able means to exert influence SO that
justice and protection will be im-
parted to those workingmen who for
various reasons are deprived of their
liberty in the jails of the United
States
G0mpers Bares Scheme.
Mr.. Gompers started the debate by
demanding the exact meaning of thu
resolution. He was answered by Pere;
Ruiz, delegate from Torreon, who con
ceded that the influence of the Indus
trial Workers of the World had mad,
itself widely felt in Mexico and tina
the resolution had been introduced al
the opening way to obtain the release
Of l. w w. prisoners now confined II
the Leavenworth prison.
The arguments presented by various
Mexican workers included the conten
ton that the /. w. w and the Ameri
can Federation were rival organiza
tions, animated by jealousy that th
American union had planned to put int
jail all working men who did not be
long to it, and finally ended with tn,
rlea that the federation should forgive
the convicted men their past often
sives and obtain their release.
Mr.. Gompers related to the dele
gates the part organized labor hat
played in aiding the people Of Mexic,
in years past, including its protest
which helped Induce the Americas
government to refuse to return Mexi
can political refugees who had fle'
to the United States at the time o
The revolution against President Diaz.
The American labor movemen
supported Madero." Mr.. Gompers said
THE American labor movement op
posed the assassin Huerta, the Ameri
| can labor movement did everything Il
its power to prevent conflict betwee
| the United States and Mexico. Wheth
er in Russia or in Ireland or In Mexi
co, or in any country where the peopl
are endeavoring to find freedom an
| Justice, the American Federation 0
Labor will put forth its best efforts Z
| help secure them.
American Bolsheyiki.
why not release the / w. w. pris
oners and let them work out their ow
salvation according to their lights, yo
ask ?''
THE !. w. w. in the United State
is just exactly what the Bolsheviki
| tcontinued on Page Two.)