The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-09-20
FIGHT ON WILLIAMS
LIVELIEST INCIDENT
OF THE CONVENTION


messed at a state labor convention
in Oklahoma for several years and
resulted, late yesterday afternoon
in the adoption OF the "anti-Will-
Jams" resolution, which condemns
the governor as being unfair and un-
friendly to organized labor and pro-
tests against his appointment as
United States district Judge for the
eastern district OF Oklahoma.
The fight was not won until after
a long period of oratory in opposition
and in defense of the resolution. The
test came on a motion for the pre-
vlouS question and the roll call had
not proceeded more than hall its
length before it became apparent
that the supporters OF the resolu-
ton had won by wide margin, The
vote in favor OF the resolution was
large enough to insure its passage
and when President Edgar Fenton
put the motion on the adoption Of
the resolution it was carried by a
viva voce vote.
Beginning of the Fireworks.
The fight on the anti-Williams
resolution had been expected dur
ing the entire day. The resolution
coramittee, of which Mont r. Pow
ell. representing the Oklahoma City
Typographical Union, was chair
man, took its place on the platform
shortly after 3 o'clock and Chair
man Powell was heard to remark, as
he was called to the platform, heres
where the fireworks start" Several
resolutions were presented ahead OF
the Williams measure was up to its
presentation. the recommendations
OF the committee were adopted with
out OBJ lection. But when Chairman
Powell had delivered the Williams
resolution to Secretary Ollie S. VIII
son. who read the full text. and
Powell announced "the committee
reports non-concurrence and moves
the adoption of the report dele
gates all over the hall squared away
in expectation of the fight they
were certain would develop. For a
moment it appeared that the matter
would go to d vote without debate,
f>r President Fenton stated "The
motion is on the report of the COM
mittee, those in favor"-and lust
then Jock" Britton, mine worker,
representing Pittsburg local, stepped
out on the floor. President Fenton
smiled as he recognized Delegate
Britton.
Britton Opens Fight
In his characteristic way. Dele
gate Britton launched Immediately
into his arguments against Williams
I'VE believe he is not fitted for this
job. We believe that this conven-
tion should back up the mine wor,
ers in their stand in this matter"
Britton began. There is no change
OF front on the part OF the coal dig
gers. We insist that the governor
is not capable of giving square
deal to organized labor" Delegate
Britton then called attention to the
action of the previous convention,
which had gone on record as con-
demning the governor for vetoing
the appropriation for the State
School of Mines at Wilburton,
thereby "robbing the miners OF their
only chance to educate their children
and themselves, the delegate stat
ed. There is no backing up on the
part of the miners. We are solid
and a unit for this resolution The
miners insist that he is not fit
to sit on the judicial bench and
that he could not qualify to sit. We
are sincere in our belief that our
executive board and district preSi-
dent Wilkerson of the Mine Work
ers. who went to Washington to pre-
sent proof OF the miners claims that
Williams should not be named.
Gordon's Name Mentioned.
Delegate A. B. Louden, represent
ing the carpenters, Oklahoma City,
was the first to speak against the
resolution. He declared that the
adoption OF the resolution would be
regarded as approval of the cam
didacy OF !. B. Gordon, OF McAles-
ter. for Louden insisted, no one else
has a chance for the appointment il
Williams does not get it. He de-
clared that Williams has always split
"fifty-fifty" with organized labor
and denounced Gordon'S record as
an attorney for the mine! !owners. He
to the delegates to follow
his counsel and take 'fifty-fifty
man" when they could get no better.
He declared that the adoption of the
resolution would bring trouble to
labor in the state if Will
Jams is named and insistently de-
clared that the appointment of the
governor is certain, stating that at
least one other candidate Line
baugh). hasn't even a Chinese
chance"
Another delegate representing
the mine workers. whose identity
could not be established by specta
tors. reinforced Delegate Britton's
statement in a lengthy address and
urged that no delegate could con-
support the committee re-
port because OF the previous con-
vention's record of condemnation OF
He insisted that the mine