The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-23
Denies Influence of Gov
ernor Robertson in De-
hosting Miner Funds
He CALLS FOR LOYALTY
Gauntlet Thrown Down When
Leaders Ask for Vote
of Confidence

governor Robertson in depositing
the districts money In the Bank of
Commerce that failed in Oamulgee,
m not only reslgn from the or
rsnization. but / will leave the
limited states forever" said Dis
trict President John Wilkinson OF
district p, United Mine Workers Of
America. In his reply 10 Oscar
. Ameringer. editor OF the Oklahoma
Leader on the floor Of the special
convention OF the district here this
afternoon.
"And," he added. "if they can't
want oscar Ameringer TO go back
TO Germany"
At the conclusion Of Wilkinson's
address D. A. Frampton. national or
ganizer in Missouri who was pre-
siding over the convention, ruled
that the debate on the Oklahoma
Leader receivership was concluded
and that the testimony presented
BY both sides was now the property
OF the convention.
Vote on Suit Today.
The convention is expected 10 pre-
sent its recommendation on the sub
ject Of whether the suit now pending
for a receivership for the Leader
when the convention reopens tomor-
row morning.
G. L. Grant, attorney for the 2ist
district In the suit against the Okla
u homa Leader. occupied the floor
during the morning session. He
stated that copy of Ameringers
speech before the convention Satur-
day would be presented to the court
when the case is reopened on May
81 in Oklahoma City.
1T is not the purpose of the re-
ceivership to destroy the paper"
said Grant. but to save 1t. The re-
ceivership will be granted. The
court will see to IL that the bond
holders do not foreclose. They'll an
point labor man whom the unions
can trust and who will have the con-
hdence OF the public as Well"
Climax of Big Fight.
wilkinson is approaching the cli-
max OF the biggest fight of his ca
reer. He has thrown down the gaunt-
lot to the delegates. They must
either indorse him or reject him.
Tomorrow his fate will be decided.
and he is waiting, supremely conf
dent that he has fought winning
fight.
The time is here when you're Ro-
will be loyal United Mine Workers;
whether or not you're going to be
true 10 the allegiance you swore when
you held UP your right hand and
became member of this union"
Wilkinson said.
II l resign" he continued. 81
Will submit to the fullest examina-
tion. And II I'm found guilty of
one single dishonorable act I'll not
only resign my office. but I'll for
feit my membership in the miners
unon'
A hush descended over the dele
gates as Wilkinson played his :i..ai
cards. Here and there over the hall
a sleepy delegate who had dozed
through hours of weary wrangling
became alert. Every eye was fixed
on the president as he stood before
them on the platform and calmly
laid his fate in their hands.
Il have no desire to force myself
upon you against your Wishes" said
wilkinson. I'VE, as officers, are
after all, only pawns in the game.
] agree with Frank Harrington that
we are only passing shows. I'm not
one OF the big men of the organiza-
uon. l admit I'm not big enough
10 destroy John l.. Lewis. even II /
were traitor enough to try It. And If
thats Farrington's measure of great
ness, don't want to be great man.
Miner as IA Child.
started 10 work in the mines In
wales in lss2 at the age Of 0. |
could not read or write. And | want
10 say that whatever my faults have
peen I've been a loyal member of
ue union ever since that day. You
may reject me IL you WILL but l
swear. so help me God. that I'll
never serve the coal operators and
!!sWear III never do thing TO hurt
the union"
From the gain Wilkinson has
made since the convention opened
unere Is little double that the dele
sates VIII indorse him by a large
majority when the vote Is called to-
morrow.
In his reply to Oscar Amerlnger,
Wilkinson said that stock statesmen
uuring the promotion of the Leader
..ompany had been instructed to tell
u'e farmers and others TO whom
' oiey sold stock that the government
wa spending so much money on the
No. mar mat Liberty bonds would be
Practically worthless, while on the
other hand. the stock in the OxIa-
noha Leader was backed by real es-
"vte nv ana other substantial securities.
Yet Wilkinson said they took
s,perty bonds in exchange for their
81. Ponzi was a novice compared TO
Nist gang" he said.
speaking of the trial, Wilkinson
Saau' i don't care whether they
tut Ameringer on the stand or not,
' aiter what I've seen and heard
~ MN | wouldn't believe him on
'he stand or off.
"HHinson referred again to
aannseringer's attack on him Saturday
,h nu 10 his pro-Germanism during
tne war. II resent the insults COM
.ns from one whose loyalty not only
~ cur organization, but TO our coun-
uy, is questionable" he said. I'm
10 In Ioreign birth myself. but lust as
'J'ls as man is in this country he
snould subscribe 100 per cent TO
s,erything for which the flag
,ands ] had five brothers in the
har lie paused a minute. II
nane no Tour brothers now. And | have
LTIe respect for the German who
S,red my brother in France than /
ave Tor Oscar Ameringer."