The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-06-14
Labor Delegates Ready
To Convene at Bellingham
Continued From Page one

Continued From Page one
amount OF business confronts the
delegates and because Of the strong
fight TO be made hy the opposing
parties, some OF those in touch with
the situation are predicting that the
convention will run over u week. The
convention held at Aberdeen In 1919
was the longest held hitherto. but Il
did not last quite week
The housing problem has assumed
serious aspects, because 600 dele
gates and equally aa many hangers
ON VIII have 90 be cared for. The
hotels are already filled. and private
homes are being appealed TO for as
Histance.
Paramount 10 all other questions
besides the election Of officers. IN the
discussion 90 be raised on the Mooney
general strike. Tho plan OF tho
Mooney defense committee calls for
a general strike thruout the United
states beginning July fth. The de
bate on this subject win be one OF
tho real issues between tho extreme
radicals and those now In power
Want New Trial
n T. nearly the unanimous opinion
Of delegates that a new trial for
Mooney should be obtained. Division
will be on whether the general strike
viii be lawful and effective.
one faction claims that IL Is called
By an Unauthorized group not ere
ated by the general labor movement
OF tho American Federation OF Labor
They ray that more enthusiasm for
tho strike Is evidenced outsld. Of
San Francisco. Moneys home. than
l. shown In the place where Mooney
IL alleged to have committed the
crime.
The Mooney strike viii evolve into
\ fight on the question OF general
strikes. Those opposed say IL Ia mol,
an effective weapon. They claim
the support OF the haste industries il
essential, To strike without their
consent would be harmful TO the IA.
Dor movement. they say
some Favor Party
Tho deivlnE Of tho federation
into politics will be another impor
tant proposition to come before tho
convention
one faction proposes an alliance
between the federation. tho state
farmers grange and tho railway
mons league. Another proposal il
the forming 81 a labor party. which
would TAX. a direct hand IN poiiti-
cal matters. and would rank with
the other political parties in
strength.
Advocates Of the triple alliance
assert that the only effective way
labor can set "A positive influence
in politics Is by getting In on a
strictly non -partiaan basis. They
say tho forming OF labor party
would only be done TO further po-
itical interests.
Those In favor Of tho party say
tho time ~ proplilou& and that II
tho striking In no, done while tho
iron Il hot. opportunity will quick.
ly fly away.
Al any rate there IL an evident
division In the ranks over the po-
liticai proposition.
Tho debate on whether political
prisoners should be released or no,
Is expected To bring tho opposing
forces into friction again. The
point az issue here n the exact
meaning Of political prisoners. !"
All agree that there are some men
in jaiI who should b. on the out
side. but not all the delegates VIII
40 down the tine 60 secure the re-
lease 81 every man convicted under
~wnr.tins acts The political
prisoner question viii be brought
up by the Tacoma delegation.
Oppose Prohibition
The position OF women In the
labor movement viii also come in
for discussion.
There Is only one question TO
come up that viii not be debated
and that Ia Gompers' stand against
prohibition. Every delegate is OPP
posed 10 any movement TO make
the country wet once more.
Support win be given the forrnR-
ton of n timberworkers' union as
opposed 20 the l.. l.. l.. T.
ndercurrent Present
a proposal as to whether the un
organized workers thruout the
state should get more supper; viii
be brought up. and viii probably
have the Endorsement OF both fac
tons. The administration asserts
tho unorganized workers need more
attention. but says sufficient funds
arc not appropriated for tho work.
Attic Russell IS tho only man
named as running against Short
for tho presidency. there Is an un-
dercurrcnt among tho various dele
cations that a dark horse will show
on the surface when the final fight
and election comes. Certain IL is that
there are some opposed TO Short,
who will not back Russell.
The convention will be one OF the
turning points OF the federation.
and more interest In Il has been
exhibited turnout tho state than
any other labor session. II fore
casts tho entrance Of the labor
movement into politics. The con.
vention rivals that OF any political
convention ever held In the state.
And no doubt. some very subtle
politics viii be displayed after
Short bangs the gavel In calling
the session TO order Monday morn.
ing.
The present administration OF
the federation Is too backward"
Russell has declared. "and to keep
tho labor movement in the state
united. requires more progressive
men than now control affairs"
Behind all conflicts. but rarely
showing itself on the surface"
Short said. on the eve OF tho big
battle. rs the conflict between the