Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-16
near ROUT
LABOR
STAGED BY
RADICALS
Conservatives Forced to
Change Plans by Unexpected
Show Of Strength Made by
Socialists and !. w. w.

Chicago, Jan. i5.-Socialists and
members of the /. w. w. after de-
feat in the organization of the Ma
tional Labor congress, called to
adopt program for obtaining new
trial for Thomas J. Mooney and
Warren Billings, made determined
attempt TO capture control of the
body later in the day.
With the gallery packed with rad
icals they did-about as they pleased
at the afternoon session until the
proceedings were ended by adjourn
ment. The conservatives were COM
PEELED to change their plans in sew
eral particulars because of the un-
expected show>of strength made by
the radicals.
Tonight both sides claimed ma
jority of the delegates, but nobody
seemed certain what action would
be taken tomorrow when the COM
mittee on resolutions is expected
to report. At today session every
motion Of socialist or /. w. w. prin-
ciples was loudly cheered by dele
gates and spectators.
Italian Delegates Excluded.
A letter was read from two mem-
bers Of the Italian labor commission,
appointed by that country at request
Of the American Federation Of
Labor, expressing sympathy with
the movement to aid Mooney. and
asking to be seated as fraternal de1e-
gates. Chairman Nolan recom-
mended that the request be granted.
but the reading Of the letter caused
hostile demonstration BY radicals,
who declared the two Italian labor
representatives had been repudiated
BY the bolshevik element in that
country. After a heated discussion
the motion to seat the, commission
ers was voted down.
The radicals followed this by pass
ing a motion that Eugene ". Debs,
socialist leader recently convicted
for violation of the espionage law,
be invited to address the convention.
1t is said Debs will decline.
Chairman Nolan this afternoon
announced appointment of a COM
mittee on resolutions about equally
divided between the conservatives
and radicals. Apparently nearly
every radical delegate had at least
one resolution for consideration OF
the committee. One delegate pre-
sented 10, embodying various revo-
lutionary ideas on governmint based
on socialist and /. wv. w. propa-
ganda, and were referred to the
committee. on resolutions without
being read.
Radical Plans Presented.
A few of the ideas suggested by
the resolutions offered by radical
delegates are:
For the Organization Of a ma
tional soldiers and sailors coun-
ell to safeguard the interest Of
labor during the period Of recon-
struction.
For referendum vote on the
terms of peace.
Abolition of all restrictions OH
the issuance OF passports.
For a general strike to compel
immediate release Of all political,
industrial and religious prisoners,
including Thomas ]. Mooney,
Warren Billings, William D. Hay
wood, Emma Goldman, Rose Pas
tor Stokes, Eugene ". Debs, Vic
tor L. Berger, Adolph Germer,
and others convicted since the be-
ginning Of the war.
That Russian, German and Aus
trian bolshevik be given represen-
tation at the Paris peace council
For a uniform work day of six
hours,
For uniform lunch period OF
two hours in all lines of industry.
Adoption of a modification OF
the /. w. wv. idea for one big
labor union by having one organ
ization for each trade.
A plan to have all western labor
organizations Withdraw from the
American Federation of Labor and
organize western federation OF
labor.
Pledge Support to Money.
A score of messages of greetings
from labor organizations in all parts
Of the country pledging support in
the movement to aid Mooney were
read.
A. w. Hoch Of Seattle, tele-
graphed that rs workmen had sub
scribed 81 each for the organization
Of soldiers and sailors council in
that city.
Word was received fKom the
league for amnesty for political
prisoners of Niagara Falls, N. ",
endorsing the idea of calling a gem
eral strike to enforce their demands
The sentiments expressed in