The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-05


look to the delegates like a reinstate-
ment. Lewis might do something
that would draw the fangs of the
opposition SO that he could leave the
convention victor, after having sue
cessfully vielsted the constitution in
previous tests of strength.
! Another view which was shared by
the DAILY WORKER correspondent
and published in one Of our issues
was that Lewis would hold over the
Howat case until the last moment and
declare the convention adjourned as
soon as the committee made its re-
port. That is just what happened,
On the last day of the convention
the delegates generally lose interest
in the proceedings. They are in
hurry to get home. The bait of an
early adjournment was dangled be-
fore them by the administration lead
ers during the two preceding days.
This was for the purpose Of putting
the opposition in the unfavorable
position of dragging out the conven-
ton.
Usually the last act Of convention
1 Of the United Mine Workers is to set
the time and place for the next con-
vention. 1t cannot legally adjourn
until this is doGe. The suspicion that
Howat was going to be flimhammed
was apparent when on Saturday
morning, after Secretary Green made
some announcements Lewis brought
up the question of setting the date
for the next convention. This husi-
ness was purposely dragged out by
the administration to take up as
much time as possible, the only other
business before the delegates being
| the report, of the committee on ap-
peals and grievances. This committee
was originally scheduled to make its
report ahead Of the scale committee
but for obvious reasons it was placed
at the bottom of the list.
After indianapolis was selected as
the meeting place of the next con-
vention and Lewis made threat that
"any organized attempt to obstruct
the business of this mornings session
would be dealt with" the grievance
committee began to make It's report.
1t was twenty minutes of ten and
the administration had stated that
the convention should adjourn at
twelve o'clock, thus allowing less
than two hours for this very impor-
tant report with the Myerscough and
Howat cases likely to bring into play |
many OF the best speakers on both
sides.
Delegate G. W. Savage, secretary
of District No. 6 and as reactionary |
tool as ever led battalion of pay
rollers made the report for the griev-
ance committee. Several petty griev-
anees were disposed off, the recon-
mendstions of the committee to refer |
to the international Executive Board
being concurred with.
Tom Myerscoughs appeal was
reached. There was a noticeable stir
among the delegates. Myerscough's
appeal was a dignified statement Of
the position of a militant miner who
announced his communist position |
without apology and signified his in
tention to continue his work in be- |
half of the revolutionary working |
class movement as long as life re-
manned in his body.
Myerscough denied the charge that
he was a disruptionist or q dual un-
ionist. He stated, however, that he |
was in favor of dethroning the reac-
tionary takers who now dominated |
the union. Hundreds Of militants
applauded the reading of the report
particularly the sections that breath |
ed the class struggle.
With an air OF judicial poise Dele /
gate Savage read the committees de-
III k.k
did attend a meeting under the
auspices Of the Progressive Miners
In Pittsburg, that he <as expelled by
the District 8 executive board, that
he circulated attacks on John L. !
Lewis, William Green et.al and that
his announced determination to con-
tinue the work that he was engaged
in rendered him undesirable as
member Of the United Mine Workers
ia the eyes Of John l.. Lewis and his
henehmen.
Free Speech Taboo.
When Tom Myerscough tried To yet
the floor to speak on his appeal Lewis !
in voice like thai oI criminal |
judge delivering death sentsnce
sid, Thomas Myerscoag'i, the COM /,
rnitteo has reDdcf1 It's report that
your so-cpiled appesi has no stand
ing before the convention. The con-
ventioE has no authority to further
consider your appeal You cannot be
heard on this question on the floor VI
this convention" He put the ques-
ton on the committees report which
was carried against heavy opposi-
ton vote.
! The delegates were anxious TO get
10 the Howat case. Delegate Savage
read Howat's appeal. Then the COM