Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-14
LABOR PARTY
MAY NOMINATE
STATE TICKET
More Than 317 Delegates At
tend First Indiana Con-
ventiOn of Party.
25 WOMEN ARE SEATED

The first move Of organized labor In
Indiana to break away from the control
of the established political parties was
begun at the first convention Of the In
diana state labor party, now in session
at Tomlinson hall.
The convention began at 10 40 yester
day morning. with Charles Fox, president
of the State Federation Of Labor, presi-
dent.
The afternoon session got under way
when Acting Chairman Fox called upon
Fred Hohenberge+ of Evansville as chair
man OF the credentials committee to re-
port the committees findings.
Hohenberger reported that approx
mately 81 delegates, including num-
Der of women, were recommended for
seats. The convention spent some time
in officially seating the delegates. About
500 delegates are expected to be seated
before the Saturday morning session.
1t is thought that the convention will
he unable to complete its business by
Saturday night, but an effort will By
made to conclude the convention by that
time.
SOME FAVOR
STATE TICKET.
There is much unofficial talk among
some of the delegates that the conven.
ton should go on record favoring the
placing of q complete state ticket in the
field at the next state election.
Some of the delegates viii in
sist that the convention approve a plan
to enter a labor party candidate for gov
ernor at the coming fail election.
Frank J. Esper of Chicago, secretary
of the national labor party, and a coal
miner Of Illinois since he was lad,
was the first speaker Of national i'm
portance to be introduced.
Mr. smoke Of 1abor and DOlit-
zeal conditions in Russia, France, Italy
and England, and praised the work be
ing done by the labor party in England.
Esper caused a demonstration when he
said that he thought the war profteers
should be deported.
1.-THE labor party of America has come
to this conclusion regarding foreign
countries" said Esper. Russia for the
Russians, ireland for the Irish, Mexico
for the Mexicans and the United States
for Americans"
Esper urged labor men not to forget
the women in forming new political
party in Indiana.
About twenty-five women delegates
have been seated so far, including q
group from Terre Haute and others are
expected to be seated before the conven-
ton closes.
I'VE can not settle the questions con-
fronting us unless we have the women
with us and unless we educate the chill
dren," said the speaker.
The Illinois labor leader begged the
delegates present to carefully consider
every proposition put to them during
the convention and to think independ
emily Of all other political groups
Esper attacked big business and the
methods used in making profit out Of
the war.
Senator Robert LaFollette was
branded as n pro German because he
wanted to conscript wealth during the
war just as they conscripted flesh and
blood, ~ said Esper. 1.-The coal operators
were the pets of the administration as
We're the steel owners"
About thirty delegates from Marion
county have presented their credentials
so far.
TOBTN OPPOSES
CONVENTION PLAN.
The determination Of the delegates to
form a labor party was indicated this
afternoon when Daniel J. Tobin of In
dianapolis, president of the Transfers
International union and a member Of the
executive committee of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, took the floor.
He attempted to outline the stand of
the American Federation of Labor which
is that labor not attempt to indorse any
party until the party and candidates had
declared their stand. He said that labor
would gain nothing by being in a party
which might divide labor.
There were cries of '.Put him out"
Il want to support labor party, but
one Endorsed by the American Federation
of Labor" he said. UNLESS l agree to
every hair-brained radical I am charged
with not being progressive in the labor
ranks"
Mrs. David Jones, delegate, cried
"Sit down"
"If you want to establish a labor party
he sure that it is supported by labor and
be sure that you are not going to hand
US the remnants Of the old socialist
party" said TObin.
There were cries of Hurry up, get
through"
Il am an American citizen and I put
my Americanism first and my trade
unionism second" declared Tobin
We're Americans, too" cried several
voices.
President Fox counseled the delegates
not to lose their heads
In concluding Tobin said, there ap-
Parently is no friendship for the Amer
lean Federation of Labor in this conven-
ton"
WALKER SLATED
TO SPEAK.
Among the speakers who will appear
during the convention are John Walker
president Of the Illinois State Federation
OF Labor; Robert Corley of Atlanta, Ca.
who is organizer for the International
Association of Machinists, and President
Fox
Among the men named as probable
state chairman of the new party, two
figured prOminently-Fra J. Dillon.
business agent of the Pattern Makers
association of indianapolis, and John
Fogg, a member of the United Mine
Workers of America at Terre Haute.
The real fight on the convention floor
Is expected when the convention is
called upon to approve a party platform.
This will bring to the front the leaders
of the two widely different groups in
the ranks Of labor. On one side Is the
conservative crowd, which insists that
the Indiana state labor party remain
safely conservative, by following the rec
concentrations of the American Fedora
ton of Labor
Opposite the conservative wing is the
faction which insists that labor candi-
dates be named and that labor be called
upon to favor such labor candidates.
regardless of candidates of other par
ties who are favora BILE to organized
labor, but not members of the labor
party.
Labor leaders are expecting that there
viii be a clash between the two groups
when the platform is drafted.
European Composers