The daily worker., 1924-09-15
REFERENDUM IS
BURIED BY THE
REACTIONISTS
Miners in Protest AT
New Backward Step
BY KARL REEVE
(Staff Writer, Daily Worker)

PEORIA, ILL.,, Sept. 14.-After
denouncing Charles G. Dawes,
republican candidate for vice.
president, because "he expressed
opposition to extension of the
initiative and referendum, both
Eof which he appears to believe
contrary to American constitu-
tionaI principles" the 42nd con-
Vention of the Illinois State Fed
Grafton of Labor abolished the
referendum in its own organ
ization, after the left wing put
up a stiff battle to retain it.
About 35 miners walked out
of the convention hall in pro-
test after the reactionary Chi
cago delegates, led by William
Quesse, Robert Fitchie, Secre-
tary Victor Olander and Presi-
dent John H. Walker, had abol-
ished the referendum.
Thomas Parry pointed out to John
Walker that the question Of the abol-
ition of the referendum would itself
have to be put to referendum vote.
| The question of the referendum
came up in resolution introduced
at the last minute by Delegate Briggs
that section SO of the constitution be
abolished. Section So, passed at the
Rockford convention, declares, mo al
terations or amendments to the con-
stitution of the Illinois State Fedora
ton of Labor shall be made without
first being submitted to referendum
vote"
Walker Takes Things in Hand.
In direct violation to this section
of the constitution, Walker ruled that
the resolution abolishing this section
will not be submitted to referendum
Because at the time the section was
passed, it was not submitted to a
referendum" Delegates pointed out,
however, that at that time there was
no law in the constitution necessitat-
ing referendum vote on all matters,
but since there is at present such
clause in the constitution, according
to the laws of the federation, the abol-
ishment of the referendum must be
submitted to a referendum vote to
make it legal N
Delegate William Pierce, Local I'm
ion 4049, Mine Workers, charged that
Briggs had introduced the resolution
abolishing the referendum to enable
the officials of the state federation to
levy larger assessments on the coal
miners.
Walker Lets Scat out Of Bag.
Walker, in reply, indirectly admit
ted the truth of this statement, by
declaring that the federation does
not. have enough funds, and express
ing the hope that more funds would
be supplied in the future. Delegate
Henry Corbishley, Of the Ziegler min
ers' local, charged that those who op-
posed the referendum were those who
had something to slip over on the
membership. He declares it to be the
right Of the membership itself to
change the organic laws of the feder-
alton. He warned the delegates that
If a larger burden is placed upon the
$4,000 miners the reaction will be so
severe as to be detrimental to the
| federation.
officers Will Now Make Laws.
Delegate Thomas Parry, after ex-
tracing a ruling from Walker that
1T is a matter of common sense that
anything q convention does it has the
right to undo and therefore the reso-
luton abolishing the referendum will
not be submitted to the membership
denounced Walkers stand. II hate
to go back and tell my union that
this convention has ruled that the off,
GERS are to make the laws and they
! are to pay the freight" Parry declar-
ed. This move is an indictment
, against the men who sent us here. II
we want the confidence of our mem
bership we must give them our con
fidence. The referendum is an instru
ment to educate the rank and file
workers as to the issues before the
federation"
Gag Rule" Rang Thru Hall.
Delegate William Stacey of the
Peoria Cigarmakers' union declared
that only those in the higher posi-
tions Of the union are against the
referendum.
After Anton Johannsen and Ben Fer
ris had declared against the referen
dunn, Robert Fitchie of Chicago, took
the floor and derided the miners. "The
miners will not have as much to say
from now on" Fitchie said' "The
Chicago delegates are going to have
more to say. The referendum was put
thru the Rockford convention more as
a joke" Fitchie added.
Walker then made a speech, insult.
ing the miners, declaring they only
came TO the convention when they
had a measure they wanted passed.
Then he said, they came "by the
| freight train load" After WaIkar'a