The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-04
UNITED NINE WORKERS REFUSE
TO CONDEMN AMERICAN LEGION
Resolution Passes, However,
Calling Upon Legion to
s'Put House in Order"
az Ia AssoeIated Pressl

INDIANAPOLIS. Oct. 3-Although
refusing to condemn the American
Legion because of alleged strike
breaking activities of some of it's mem
bers, the convention of the United
Mine Workers Of America today
adopted a resolution committee report
calling on legion officials to put their
house in order" the action came after
several delegates had appealed ve-
hemently for the convention to go on
record in unqualified condemnation OF
the legion.
The committee report for among
these made on more than one hundred
resolutions sent to the convention for
consideration by local unions through
out the country and which had been
before the committee for considera-
tion since the opening Of the conven-
tion. Most of the resolutions went
into the discard, and debate was per-
mitted on only a few with most Of
the comment being exacted by the
legion resolution.
Aside Of the work on resolution the
convention voted overwhelmingly not
to change the unions present system
Of appointing organizers. Supporters
Of an election plan complained that
the appointive system permitted Of
ficers to build up political machine,
but no evidence to support this charge
was found by the committee appointed
at the 1919 convention which held
election of organizers was impracti-
cable
Among the resolutions adopted were
those favoring immediate nationaliza-
tion of coal mines and railroads, the
repeal of the espionage laws and am
nestly for all political prisoners" and
self determination for ireland.
The convention sidestepped taking a
stand on prohibition when the issue
was brought up by resolutions favor
ing light wines and beer. No action
was. taken on these resolutions. the
committee advising such course with
a statement that the prohibition ques
ton Is purely a social question, on
which each citizen has his own views.
Resolutions, regarded by delegates
as manifesting radical tendencies,
were rejected outright. The idea of
zone big union of workers, the aff1lia-
tion of the mine workers with the
international Council of Trade and
Industrial Unions. to develop work
ing class solidarity, and the calling Of
a convention by American Trade
Unions to form one organization hav-
ing as its object the abolition of
capital and the establishment Of a
workers Industrial republic in the
United states were lost overwhelm
ingly without discussion.
The committee report dealing with
the American Legion, cited the leg
ions constitution as proof that the
world war veterans organization shall
be force of law and order" adding
that acts of individual members had
justly brought condemnation on the
legion, and that the tyranny. prac-
ticed BY legion members through force
Is III direct violation" of the federal
constitution as well as that Of their
order
1--WE therefore, cali upon the proper
officials Of the American Legion" said
the report, ito put their household in
order by adopting some proper and
effective punishment of its members
who violate the constitution and
weaken the force of the legion and
tend to bring it into disgrace. The
American Legion is organized for a.
good purpose, but has been used for
bad practice and being an infant
Organization which we feel it unwise
ut this time to condemn or eulogize
the American Legion. as an organizar
tion until they can have the oppor-
tunity to put their house In order" !"
John Wilkinson, Muskogee, Okla,
president Of the miners union in that
district. in urging favorable action on
the report declared that the miners
could not put the legion "out Of busi-
ness BY condemning it and he added:
IF you want to see them put their
house in order, get In there and help
them put it right" His statement
came after some delegates. who said
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