The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-04-09
FARMER-LABOR
PARTY ORGANIZED
IN WEST VIRGINIA
State Federation Splits
Over New Move
By TOM TIPPETT.

(Staf Correspondent Of the Federated Pfsss)
CHARLESTON, w. Va, April 8.
Organized labor and the farmers
in West Virginia will have their in
political party in the No
vember elections. They have their
ticket nominated and plan an inten-
sive campaign for their own West
Virginia Farmer-Labor Party. 1t is
not affiliated with any national or
ganization. The independent step is
taken here after 16 years of the ere
ward your friends and punish your
enemies policy.
Split in Federation.
Unfortunately organized labor will
not go as unit into the new politi-
cal venture. There Is a serious split
in the executive of the West Virginia
State Federation of Labor. The
secretary of the federation Of labor
has been ousted from office by its
executive board. This action was
taken while resolutions were being
considered that demanded the resig-
nation of the president of the feder-
alton and of three members of the
federation who are against independ-
ent political action. The American
Federation of Labor has a represen-
tative here to negotiate peace and a
special convention Of the federation
is under way.
There was unanimity in official
circles, regarding independent politi-
cal action for the federation, so long
as it remained on paper but when
the nomination convention was call
ed and it began to take on real life
the fight began.
Movement Began in 1920.
The present move tor independent
political action in the state fedora
ton began in 1920 at a special con-
vention. It's chief advocate and sup
porter there was H. L. Franklin, but
the proposition was voted down.. The
next year (1921) Franklin was
elected by the federation convention
to be secretary-treasurer. He wa.
reelected the following year and the
next having had five opponents il
each contest.
In 1923 the federation called
special convention to consider tn,
political outlook after the reaction
airy West Virginia legislature ha,
had adjourned. Resolutions from Owe
$4,000 organized workers were in
PRODUCED calling for independent &C
ton on the political field. TIL,
proposition carried unanimously. TIL
! resolution declared that complet
failure was the result of their Il
years of lobbying for labor measure
with the old parties. "The West Vir
ginia Farmer-Labor Party be and i
hereby endorsed and the incomin
executive board be and hereby is in
structed to give their full and undi
vided support on the political field t
the Farmer-Labor Party" the spe
cial convention ordered.
Anti-Labor Partyite Loses.
The presiding officers of that cor
vention are the same persons ths
have now split on the propositio,
The convention provided for the cal
ling Of Farmer-Labor party CONVEX
ton in March, 1924. It was tn
meeting at Clarksburg March Is ths
precipitated the fight. The presider
Of the federation, w. T. Harris. a
tempted to steer the conventio
away from an independent tickle
His resolution called for continuatio
of the Farmer-Labor party, but o,
posed ticket in the field. He WI
defeated by rs to 4.
Harris bolted the convention.
platform was drawn up and a sta
ticket named with DR.. A. S. 30
worth Of Elkins for governor.
Resolutions hostile to Harris ar
three members of his executive boal
: came in from subordinate bodies
the federation asking their resign
ton for not carrying out conventic
instructions.