South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-16
RESOL LUTON BY
MEXICANS IS
THROWN OUT
Haywood Scored by Owner OF
Mine Who Owes Liberty to
A. +. of L.-GOmperS is
First to be Heard.

LAREDO, Tex. Nov. 16.-An at
tempt by Mexican delegates TO the
pan-American labor conference TO
have adopted a 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 by amending the
resolution.
The opposition to the Mexican
resolution was led by Charles II.
Meyer, who as president Of the
Western Federation Of Miners sew
eral years ago, had associated with
him as secretary of that organization
William D. Haywood, now secretary
and treasurer of the I. w W. who
is serving sentence under the espion-
age act.
GOmpcrs Draws Real Meaning.
Samuel Gompers, after the reso-
luton had been introduced drew out
the fact that it was intended to aid
imprisoned Industrial workers of the
world and at once the executive
council of the American Federation
of Labor attacked the movement
which was warmly defended by some
Of the Mexican delegates.
Meyer, now president Of the Mine,
Mill and Shelter Workers, previous
" had taken no part in the confer
ence proceedings. He arose to an
swer a statement by a Mexican dele
gate that the l. w W. had convinced
many Mexican workmen that the
American Federation of Labor
fought the Haywood organization
merely because the two Organiza-
tions were seeking the same end by
different means.
Meyer Reviews Old Story.
MY name is Meyer" he said.
"Rememb Der that name and go back
to Mexico and tell them what say.
Twelve years ago Meyer, Haywood
and Pettibone were on trial for their
lives and although we were not af-
fliated with the American Fedora
ton OF Labor, that organization con
tributed the funds which enabled us
10 prove our innocence and saved
our lives
"Pettibone is dead. and on his
deathbed he gave thanks 70 the
American Federation Of Labor for
the help ii 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. Hay
wood was false; he started at once
an organization to undermine his
benefactors and TO injure his cOun-
try. l warn you to go back to Mex
leo and tell the miners that you
have learned from Meyer TO look
and be careful and when you find
a man representing the 1. w. w. to
know he is there not TO organize you
to better your condition, but he is
doing there what he is trying 10 do
in the United States, 10 organize you
to destroy you"
The I. W. w. Resolution.
The resolution which brought out
the debate was amended to provide
that the executive council OF the
American Federation of Labor
should Investigate any report OF men
improperly imprisoned and take
what action the members saw Mt.
The resolution as adopted read:
That an agreement be reached
as to the best way for finding hon
orable means TO exert influence so
that justice and protection will be
impaired TO those working men who,
for various reasons, are deprived of
their liberty in the jails Of the United
States"
Pres't Gompers started the debate
by demanding the exact Of the reso-
luton. He was answered by Perez
Ruiz, delegate from Torreon, who
conceded that the influence Of the
Industrial Workers of the World had
made itself widely felt in Mexico and
that the resolution had been intro
duced as the opening wedge to OBJ