Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-11
Representatives of Machin-
iStS' Association, Who
Presented Resolution
Vigorously Scored,
chad COUGH OF ONE
BIG UNION" SAY MEN
Delegates to A, F, of |,
Meeting In Denver Are
Bitter Against Anything
With Russian Origin,
(By The Associated Press.1

Denver, Colo, June 7.-Dele-
gates to the convention of the
metal trades department of the
American Federation of Labor, this
afternoon by an overwhelming
vote defeated g proposal designed
to bring about the organization Of
one big metal trades union in the
United States.
representatives of the Interna-
tional Association Of .Machinists.
who introduced the resolution,
were vigorously scored as advo-
eating and attempting to revive
the "One Big Union idea in this
country. The debate was long and
bitter, representatives of the Pat
tern Makers League of North
America, the International Broth
erhood Of Boilermakers and inter-
national Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, vigorously opposing the
proposal. A roll call showed that
the resolution was defeated by a
vote of 3,2l0 to III. The Inter-
national Association of Machinlss
was the only union to vote solidly
for the resolution. The Metal Pol
ishers' international union delega-
tion was split, while the Metal
Trades council of Chicago voted in
the affirmative,
The resolution presented by the
machinists asserted that the ANAL
gamation of the metal trades or
ganizations into one compact, eff
ficient union is Of necessity the
practical means of meeting and
solving the present great problem
and a guarantee that will provide
for the organized workers the abil-
ity to protect their interests and
secure improved economic condi-
tions for the future" ]
The department was urged to
call a conference of international
presidents of affiliated -organiza-
tions with one delegate from each |
trade from each state and province
of North America for the purpose
of discussing and determining
the question OF closer affiliation
and If advisable, amalgamation of
all metal trades. Recommended |
tions of the conference were TO be
by the various unions to
a referendum of their membership. |
1--WE have had bitter experiences
with the one big union on the Pa
cific coast and in Seattle" said M.
f. Mcclure of San Francisco. q |
delegate from the boilermakers'
union. I'VE are still suffering ,
from the effects of that agitation.
We don't want any more of it. 1t
works for the destruction of the
trades union movement.
II hope | never see the day
when 100000 men will meet In
to organize one big
union
"I wonder IL the International
president of the machinist union
has gone to Russia to bring the
one big union idea back to this
country?" he asked.
II. w. Brown, also of the Pa
cific coast, machinist delegate,
took the floor. asserting that his
was not advocating
the zone big union" but wished to
bring about an amalgamation and
closer cooperation between the
yarious metal trades organizations
Edward ]. Evans, of Chicago,
the electrical workers,
declared that endorsement of the
'esolution would be the forerunner
If a movement for the organization
II the "'one big union which we
rope is buried forever"
The department unanimously en-
iorsed the resolution presented
,arly in the day demanding that
CONTINUED on Page Two.)