davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12
Workers Party in Action at Coal Miners Convention

tialities and the actual results Of the
convention.
Power Of Machine.
The Lewis machine is without
doubt the most powerful reactionarv
combination in the world trade union
movement. They have an annual in
come of million dollars with which
to perpetuate their power. Lewis
constitutional authority over the
membership is greater than any ruI-
ing monarch in the world.
Even the names and addresses Of
local union secretaries are known
only to the administration. When
the A. F. of L. wishes to circularize
the miners unions, it is dona bv the
Lewis machine-they trust nobody.
The appointive power of Lewis puts
the convention from an organiza-
tional point of view completely under
his control. ALI officers reports are
printed and in such a way as to pur-
posely confuse the delegates, and ere
only given to them during the report.
The resolutions, Of which there
were 72S, are thrown together in book
1VAH, VIII no lnuex ana are num-
bered. Related resolutions are pur-
posely scattered and are only referred
to in the report and by the COM
mittee by their number. Substitutes
covering numerous resolutions are
carefully prepared by the Lewis hand
picked committee, worded to confuse
the delegates and camoufage the
issue.
Machine Preparations.
With machine delegates ready to
make the proper motion, speakers
galore prepare to talk on the reports
as instructed, tellers who count cone
for you and two for me-" with a
payroll vote Of around five hundred
who vote for the machine on every
question, Lewis, the most unscrupu-
lous labor official in the American
labor movement, in the chair. Tom
linson Hall, huge auditorium, with
a special sounding apparatus, spe-
cially tuned SO that the officials on
the stage are clearly heard, while the
voice of the delegate in the body of
the hall sounds like whisper, with
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12

a huge gathering Of 1900 delegates
that is more like a mass meeting
than convention, the militants had
some work cut out for them.
Arrayed against this formidable
army were forty-hve Communists
and about 100 progressives, very few
of them having had previous conven-
ton experience, with only a cor
poral's guard that could be termed
capable floormen. This determined
little group, fighting with their backs
to the wall, under the leadership of
the Communists, finally broke thru this
seemingly impregnable fortress, won
the majority Of the delegates, forcing
Lewis, in order to temporarily save
the situation, to prematurely end
the convention In confusion at time
when hundreds Of delegates were de-
manding the floor.
Issue Always Clear.
1t was remarkable achievement,
and will go down in labor history as
the first really intelligent attempt
to wrest the leadership from the re-
dictionaries. The issue at all times
was clear, no matter what the oues-
ton was, the reds were on trial.
In the Lewis report it was Soviet
Russia and Communism that were on
trial. Amalgamation, the appoint
i've power, the labor party, Nova
Scotia, constitutional changes. no
matter what it was the vote occurred
on the question: Are you with the
reds or are you with the yeIlows {?
For time the Lewis-G Green com
bination psychological the delegates
with one of the most terrific bar
RACES of anti-red ammunition ever
laid down in a labor convention, but
this logged few who never accepted
defeat, who waged their fight with
Communist understanding and with
a perseverance that was admirable.
finally convinced the majority of the
delegates, that the Communists and
progressives were the only ones who
had a constructive program and the
courage to fight for it.
Communists Without Rivals.
One thing that became very no.
ticeable as the convention went on.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12
By J. W. TOMBSTONE.

THE coal miners convention, helC
in Indianapolis, Ind, which en-
ded in a near riot, brought gu
more clearly the new turn which the
American labor movement has beer
slowly taking, swinging it more con.
sciously into the world labor move
ment, than any previous convention
To the casual observer, and the
chronic pessimist, the surface indi-
cations were that John L. Lewis re-
tanned his control over the organiza-
ton, by the will Of the majority, in
spite of the Communist faction and
the progressive delegates in the con-
vention.
The convention can be sunmar-
lied as follows:
~. Convention opens with John
L. Lewis seemingly in complete
control.
~. In spite Of the terrific red
batting, the Communist faction is
recognized by the progressive element
as the leaders of the opposition.
(3) Majority of delegates in open
revolt against the administration.
az. The progressives determined
to reconsider all progressive meas
ures that had been railroaded thru
in early days of the convention.
(5). Lewis loses his control COM
pletely, ending the convention,
without finishing the work of the con-
vention and without the consent of
the delegates.
(6). A post-convention meeting,
with 1,1S7 delegates participating,
decides to call a special convention
for the purpose of impeaching the
Lewis administration, to give Howat
fair hearing and for the reconsid-
GRAFTON Of the political and trade
union measures that Lewis rail-
roaded.
This, however, does not give a real
living picture of the convention. To
get the proper focus, one must know
the conditions under which the battle
was fought, the arena where it was
fought as well as the combatants, the
principles involved, the future poten-
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12
North Dakota

The Convention of the Non-Partisan League
of North Dakota that has just closed with the
organization of a state Farmer-Labor party,
arising out of the bankruptcy of the republi-
can politicians in the League, is an historic
event of paramount importance to the work
ing masses of this country.
North Dakota has for many years been the
pivotal keystone state in guaging the political
temper and conduct of the agricultural masses
of the Northwest 1t was North Dakota that
first gave us the revolt against the grain gamb-
lers and the Supreme Courts high-handed de-
cision supporting these plunderers of the farm
ers. The Non-Partisan League of North Da-
kota was the banner organization as we'll as
the first Of it's kind.
The most important points brought home by
what happened at this gathering are the fol-
lowing: First of all, the convention threw the
last spadeful of earth on the false report
spread by the administration press that Cool
idge was gaining in popularity in the North
west. Except from the professional political
job seekers, and those who either had been or
were still seeking to be baptized in the unholy
waters of the Potomac, Coolidge met with no
favor and received no support at this conven-
ton.
The organization of a state Farmer-Labor
Party by forty delegates representing at least
20 of the most densely populated counties of
the State is particularly significant because
this act can only be interpreted as a challenge
to LaFollette. The farmers have made up
their minds that LaFollette must either break
with the republican party and bid it goodbye
forever or else drop all his pretenses of being
the leader of the attack against the Old Guard
corruptionists and reactionaries The organ
ization of state Farmer-Labor Party in North
Dakota is a warning to LaFollette that the
farming masses of the Northwest are not going
to wait for him and again be left in the rut and
slough of economic bankruptcy and political
impotency. LaFollette must get out or he is
thru.
Above all, this convention shows the urgen-
cy of cementing the solidarity between the dis
possessed rural masses and the exploited city
workers. 1t is the workingmen massed in the
big industries of the big cities that have had
the most experience in the struggle against the
overlords of our economic life. The experience
of these city workers is essential to success
full fight against the common enemy of the
farmers and the industrial masses.
The unity between the workers of Pitts
burgh, Chicago, and New York and the farm
ers of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska
is drawing nearer. The recent events in North
Dakota will go long way towards securing
this unity and the victory of the workers and
farmers in their struggle to establish work
ers and farmers government in the United
States
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12

The administration has let loose a food Of
words appealing to the Democrats and insur-
gent Republicans not to make partisan issue
out Of the Teapot Dome scandal. Naturally,
Coolidge, being at the head of the govern
ment, has been the most eloquent pleader for
non-partisanship and disinterestedness in the
grave disaster that has befalen his party thru
Fall being caught red-handed.
How empty all these stressed words of the
President are is known to almost everybody
But the death blow to these Puritanc confess
sions of Silent Cal" is struck by the present
political situation in California where Coolidge
is in desperate fight to win the State from
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12

was how the ever-growlng anti-ad-
ministration, forces, from the pure
and simple trade unionists who want
ed an honest administration to tie
party sympathizers, looked to the
Communists for leadership. There
was no competition in that field; the
socialists had completely disappeared.
The value to our party of the work
at the miners convention can only
be measured by the way IN which we
take advantage of it; our program
has gone into every district of the
miners union, the Workers Party is
now recognized factor in the politi-
cal as well as the everyday struggles
OF the miners, we must be alert
enough to capitalize this situation by
organizational measures.
Out of this convention has come a
powerful left wing movement, some
hundreds of delegates actually giving
their names and addresses so that
they can organize their forces against
the reactlonaries. These hundreds of
leaders, in their local unions, win
carry the fight back to the member
ship. They are determined to first
get rid of Lewis. To do SO they are
going to call special convention to
impeach the administration. Lewis
is not resting easily since the con
vention.
The Result.
All in all, the results Of our activ-
ity were splendid; Lewis machine is
badly damaged, his throne is UNDER
mined, strong left wing movement
has been organized, with the Work
ers Party political leadership as a
recognized fact. We cannot, rest on
our laurels, however. The militant
forces in the miners union must be
thoroly solicited.
The sting of defeat of indianapolis
must be wiped out, and that can only
be done by the impeachment Of the
Lewis administration, their removal
from Office and the election of a lead
ership that has a fundamental I'M
derstanding of the class struggle and
will fight on that basis.
This is the immediate objective
and it will be reached.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-12
AS WE SEE 1T
By T. J. O'FLAHERTY.

A gentleman by the names of We'll
who became known to fame and peni-
tentiaries thru his ability to accum-
ulate money outside the sacred cir
Giles of capitalist legality, was par
doned last year by Goveislor Small.
Mr.. We'll is also known in his favor
lite haunts as the "Yellow Kid"
On his release he acted very much
like reformed Socialist. He mourn-
ed over his life of sin and promised
to walk the straight and narrow path
in the future, conform to the rules
Of capitalist society and serve as a
beacon light to guide other sinners
along the righteous road.
A real estate shark. probably hop
ing that the yellow kids" experience
in the gentle art of separating gull
lible citizens from their cash, would
place his experience and his CONVEX
sion at his disposal employed him
as salesman. Mr.. We'll, with a keen
eye to the advertising value of
Bible took the Lords book with him
and returned to Joliet to give his late
associates word of cheer and en-
enlargement. The capitalist press
wrote long and solemn editorials on
the curative power of prayer and the
business value of clergymen.
But it seems that it is almost as
hard to reform a confirmed capitalist
as a confirmed drunkard. Mr.. We'll
found no romance in selling house
lots. About this time Coolidge's cab
met was turning over the oil supply
of the U. S. to their friends for
satchels-not empty ones. Oil there
fore intrigued the yellow Kid"
He is again in the tolls of the law.
for committing the crime of robbine
the robbers. There is a legal way to
do most anything. Even murder can
be committed with IMMUNITY under
SANCTION of government. Robbinp
can also be committed legally. The
capitalist system itself is legalized
robbery. The yellow KIDD how
ever, went outside the sacred circle
and fieeced millionaire. He COM
mitted an unforgivable crime, and the
penitentiary is yawning for him. Mr..
Well may soon have the pleasure Of
listening to some preacher advising
him to reform.
The United Mine Workers Journal
is not blessed with a sense of humor
else it would expire with laughter at
the cartoon that appears on the
cover of the current issue. An auto
mobile loaded with coal operators and
coal truck filled with miners are
on the way to Jacksonville, Fla. The
vehicles with their human freight ap-
proach the point where the two roads
converge. Jacksonville can he seen in
the distance. Both groups hail each
other. But the amusing part is that
the vehicle in which the miners are
approaching the scene of the confer
ence is drawn by iackass.
, 1924-07-03
FROM H
STATE CAPITOL

The people of the United States
will be saved a billion dollars during
the next fiscal year if President Cal
vim Coolidge is supported by Con-
gress.
The President in his speech before
the Governments Business Organi-
cation Meeting. composed of the
heads of the different branches OF
the government made it plain that he
was going to cut to the bone on all
spending of the public's money. Mr..
Coolidge did not mince words in his
address, he made it very plain that
not a dollar must be wasted and that
appropriations must be kept down to
actual necessities. He pointed out
that the business of government had
been established on an efficient basis
and that he inteded hat it should be
kept that way. He emphasized the
fact that one of the greatest perils
of an extensive republic was the dis
regard of individual rights, he said.
"A government which lays taxes on
the people not required by urgent
public necessity and sound public pol
icy is not a protector of liberty, but
, 1924-07-03

at the Lander bridge which spans
the Sweetwater river.
There is a great deal Of interest
manifested in these monthly prizes
among the many sportsmen in Raw
Inns and Parco. Seeing several men
arguing over the relative merits of
these giant fish which are being
caught, one is reminded of the
Democratic Convention which is be-
ing held in New York city.
The prize offered by this store for
the month Of July is a thirty pound
leather bound fish basket. The
prize for the 1924 season Is a $35
Winchester hand made Fly Rod
the season closes September 30th.
The contest is open to all sports
men who are residents OF Rawl1ns
and Parco. There are no entrance
fees to this contest-the prize is
given to the person whose trout
weighs the most on the scales at the
Winchester store. All trout must be
caught with a line and rod; all State
Fish Laws are to be observed in the
contest n the trout must be caught
in a running stream. The store re-
serves the right to exhibit the fish
for one day on ice, after which the
owner may have it. Each monthly
prize that is awarded by the store
is displayed in the window of the
store on the first of each month.
The monthly prize for May was a
Winchester SIS reel-it was won by
II. II. Curtis.
, 1924-07-03
POLICE BLOTTER
SHOWS ACTIVITY
OF LOCAL POLICE

Because of the activity of the To-
cal police, Rawlins is not only rid
of several undesirable persons. but
she has S104 more in the city treas
ury. Several different accounts are
listed on the police blotter at the
City Hall.
Warren Durrett was arrested last
Friday by Marshall Hillenbrand on
a charge of being a "vag." He plead
guilty; vas found guilty; fined $23
and 81 costs, which amount he paid.
Also he was given a choice of fifteen
days in Jail or three days to leave
town-he chose the latter.
E. Anderson vas arrested by po-
lice officer Vermillon last Friday on
a charge of speeding. He was found
guilty; fined IS and 50 costs. This
mount was paid by the offender.
On Monday, A. Moss was arrested
by ID. ]. Mccarthy on a charge of
gambling. His bond of S25 was for
feited because of his failure to APP
peal for trial. On the same day
Harry Vassos was arrested on a
charge of disturbing the peace-he
forfeited his $40 bond.
, 1924-07-03

an instrument of tyranny. Unless
the people can enjoy that reasonable
security in the possession of their
property, which is guaranteed by the
Constitution against unreasonable
taxation, freedom is at an end. The
common man is restrained and ham
pered in his ability to secure food
and clothing and shelter. His wages
are decreased, his hours of labor are
heightened" The President pointed
out in most emphatic terms that he
stood today as he always has for the
strictess economy in the expenditure
of the peoples money. He pointed
out that the fiscal year ending June
80, 1921 expenditures amounted to
over 5000, 900 900 and hat the
next three years under the budget
system the expenditures were brought
down to $3,795,0OO ,O00-$3,697,-
900, 900 and $3,497, 900 respec-
lively. He pointed out that the pub
lie debt had been reduced, $2,722,-
900, 600 during this same period and
that the saving in interest alone t o
the people had been more than $780,
900, 900 each year.
The President called attention to
the fact that when he met with the
heads of the departments six months
ago he said that the fight for econo-
my had but n purpose-that it's
benefits would accrue to the whole
people through reduction in taxes.
Taxes have now been reduced.
while our immediate need is for tax
reform. as distinguished from tax re-
, 1924-07-03
TUESDAY EVE.
BAND CONCERTS
VERY POPULAR

The old Rawlins is dead. The
gayest, lightest hearted, yet busiest
city in the State of Wyoming has a
band which very member in the
city car be proud of. To prove the
fact that Rawlins has a real band,
n has merely to join the crowd in
front of the Elk's Home on any
Tuesday night.
On Tuesday night of this week
there were approximately 1875 cars
parked around the Home and about
500 persons enjoying the music.
Jazz lovers had a few pieces to their
liking; classical, marches, anything
in the music line is o above the
head of our band.
There has been several attempts
at different times by many persons
in the city to get a good band, one
that can be used on all occasions
and for all purposes. Not to be-little
any other band which Rawlins has
had, most of the people who heard
the concert last Tuesday night will
agree that the present band is as
good, if not a lot better than any
band which Rawlins has previously
had.
1t takes practice, much practice
with worlds of conscientious work
to mold a band so that it will work
in perfect harmony. If there is any
n who is inclined to doubt this,
Just let him pass the City Hall ON
any practice night and heal Eye old
town band" play yer and over again
1T Amt Going to Rain Anymore"
Much credit is due to Owe Peterson
for his work in getting the band
where it now is. The applause which
followed every selection last Tues
day night shows hat the people are
concerts.
, 1924-07-03

duction, we must continue this cam
paign for economy SO as to make pos
sible further tax reduction. The re-
lief which has recently been afforded
must be only the beginning" Cool
idge declared that the government
payroll must be reduced. He point
ed out that many things had been
done in the past which were not
businesslike at all.
In discussing the preliminary es-
Inmates that are being prepared for
the next fiscal year the President
said, For that fiscal year 1t will be
m yprupose to transmit to Congress
estimates of appropriations which,
excluding the interest on and reduc-
ton in the public debt, and the Pos
, 1924-07-03
WHIRLWIND GAME
AT FAIR GROUNDS
EXPECTED SUNDAY

The best baseball game of the sea-
son is expected at the Fair Grounds
next Sunday afternoon, July 9Th
when the vastly improved baseball
nine Of Rawlins plays the snappy
Oil Cans from Parco. Like Army
and Navy, Harvard and Yale, the two
teams are the best of friends social
ly but when it comes to sports-look
out.
The past achievements of the Oil
Cans are only W. well known to the
people of Rawlins. The Rawlins-
Green River game although a loss to
Rawlins, showed that the Rawlins
aggregation has the stuff that makes
a team. 1t was only because the
breaks of the game were against
Rawlins hat the score was as it was.
Now hat the Oil Cans are playing
mid-season ball and the Rawlins
team has just begun to hit its stride,
there is NJ other conclusion-it will
be a whirlwind game.
The two teams are deserving of
the support of the Rawlins people,
the patriotic Parco fans, and all the
rest Of the people in the surround
ing territory. Most of the men on
the two teams are foregoing the
pleasures of the Fourth of July vaca-
ton so hat they will be in better
condition when the game is called at
2:30 Sunday afternoon. Not only
are the teams deserving of the sup
port of the townspeople because
those teams represent their respec-
tive towns, but they will give full
value for the money spent. 1t is
bound to be a big day at the Fair
Grounds Sunday.
Mayor Perrett will be on the
grounds to officiate on behalf of the
Rawlins boys; F.. e. Richardson,
superintendent at the refinery, will
officiate for the Parco team. The
Rawlins band will be on hand to
play sweet music in between the
changes of the two sides.
In order to be a success a team
must have the support of the citi-
Zens of its town. 1t must have the
moral, financial, as well as every
other kind of support a town has to
offer. The financial side of a base
ball team is q big item. Every per-
son who can possibly get to the
game should make it a point to be
there when the dust begins to fly
at 2:30.
Come prepared to see n wonderful
game. The battle of Greek against
Greek will fade into oblivion when
the sun goes to rest after the game
Sunday afternoon.
, 1924-07-03

tai service. will not exceed a total
Of $1,800,OO0.0O 900. We must have nj
~carelessness in our dealings with pub
lie property or the expenditure Of
public money. l am for economy
Ate rthat l am for more economv.
So far as 1t is within my " I
will not permit increases In expen-
ditures that threaten to prevent fur
Their tax reduction or that contem-
plate such an unthinkable thing a.
increases In taxes. II with increas-
ing business our revenues increase.
such increase should not be absorbed
in new ways of spending. They
should be applied to the lowering OF
taxes. In that direction lies the pub
lie welfare"
, 1924-07-03
RAWLINS LOST
Sd TO GREEN
RIVER SUNDAY

Bad breaks in the first inning in
the baseball game last Sunday after
noon between Rawlins and Green
River on Green Rivers field accounts
for the ) TO 4 score in favor of
Green River. Although Waite pitch
ed very good ball and Rawlins has
nine hits checked up against eight
for Green River, luck was against
the home team to the extent hal the
Rawlins boys came out on the small
end OF the score.
Waite pitched the whole game
which extended over n hour and
forty-fve minutes. He made fourteen
strike-outs during the nine innings.
Green River
, 1924-07-03
VISITING WITH
MOTHER in DEN
E THIS WEEK

The Misses Helen. Sara and
Frances Mosher left Thursday last
for Denver where they expect TO re-
main for some time with their
mother. Mrs. r.. Moshcr. Mrs. Olga
Ferguson, sister OF Mrs. Moshor IN
also visiting with the Mosher fam
fly In Denver.
The Moshcrs and Mrs. Ferguson
are guests at the Brown Palace hotel
during their stay In Denver.
Mrs. Moshcr. who has been in
Denver the past several weeks re-
colyinE medical treatment. is rccov-
erlng very rapidly and will 500 be
able to return to her home In this
city.