South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-17
RADICALS ATTEMPT
LABOR CON 7 ROL
Socialists and |. w. WIS
Run Convention of
Workingmen.

and members OF the l. W. W.. after
meeting defeat Wednesday in the
organization OF the national labor
congress. called TO adopt a program
for obtaining a new trial for Thomas
J. Mooney and Warren Billings,
made a determined attempt TO cap
ture control OF the body later in the
day. The credentials committee had
not reported at night, making it i'm
possible 10 say which faction is the
victor.
With the gallery packed with rad
icals they did about as they pleased
at the afternoon session until the
proceedings were ended by an early
adjournment. The conservatives
were compelled TO change their
plans IN several particulars because
of the unexpected show Of strength
! made by the radicals.
Tonight nobody seemed certain
what action would be taken tomor-
row when the committee on resolu-
tons is expected TO report At to-
, days session every mention of So
cialist or I. w. W. principles was
loudly cheered by delegates and
spectators.
A letter was read from two mem
bers Of the Italian labor commission,
appointed by the government Of
that country at the request OF the
American Federation OF Labor, eX-
pressing sympathy with the move
ment TO aid Mooney. and asking 20
b seated as fraternal delegates in
the convention. Chairman Nolan
recommended that the request be
granted but the reading of the letter
caused a hostile demonstration on
the part OF the radicals who de-
clared that the two Italian labor
representatives had been repudiated
by the bolsheviki element in that
country. After an hours heated dis
cussion the motion TO permit the
commissioners to sit in the conven-
| ton was voted down.
Debs Invited to Speak.
The radicals followed this victory
by putting over a motion that Eu-
gene V. Debs, socialist leader, re-
| Gently convicted for violation OF the
espionage law. be invited 10 address
| the convention. The radicals cheer
ed for several minutes at the adop-
ton Of this motion. II is said that
Debs will decline the invitation.
At the opening of the afternoon
| session. Chairman Nolan announced
the appointment of committee on
resolutions. which it was said was
about equally divided between the
| conservative and the radical fac
sions. Apparently nearly every rad
ical delegate had at least one resolu-
ton for the consideration OF the
committee. One delegate presented
ten. They embodied various revolu-
tionary ideas on government, based
on socialist and I. w. w. propagan-
| da, and were referred TO the COM
mittee on resolutions without being
read.
y Few OF the Ideas.
few of the ideas suggested by
the resolutions and favored by radi-
cal delegates are:
For the organization OF a national
soldiers and sailors council to safe
| guard the interest OF labor during
I the period of reconstruction.
For a referendum vote on the
terms OF peace.
Removal of all restrictions on the
| issuance of passports.
| For a general strike to compel the
! immediate release OF all political,
and religious prisoners. including
Thomas j. Mooney. Warren Billings,
| william d. Haywood, Emma Gold
man. Rose Pastor Stokes, Eugene V.
/ Debs. Victor L. Berger, Adolph Ger
mer and others convicted since be-
/ ginning of the war.
] For representation OF Russian,
| German and Austrian bolsheviki at
the Paris peace council.
For a uniform work day OF six
hours
For a uniform lunch period of
two hours in all lines OF industry.
Adoption Of a modification of the
I. W. w idea for one big labor
union by having one organization
for each trade.
A plan TO have all western labor
organizations withdraw from the
American Federation OF Labor and
organize a western federation Of Ia
Dor.
Messages OF Greeting.
A score of messages Of greeting
from labor organizations in all parts
| OF the country pledging support in
the movement TO aid Mooney was
read. Word was received from the
League For Amnesty for Political
Prisoners Of Niagara Falls. n. Y,
endorsing the idea of calling a gen
eral strike TO enforce demands.
A message from the workers
council of Butte, Mont, asked the
convention TO declare for one organ
ization OF all workers under the Aus
tralian plan. the immediate with
drawaI OF allied troops from Russia
and concluded with a request that
greetings be sent TO the sOviets OF
Russia.
| The sentiments expressed in these
| nansSa gaS were recefyed with lOud