The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-09
FIVE HUNDRED
MINERS ATTEND
BROPHY MEETING
Vote to Support the OPP
position Slate

LUzERNE, Pa, Nov. Five hun
dred miners of Old Forge were in at
tendance at the meeting Of the Brophy
Election campaign committee here
Jew days ago. AS many more would
nave been present If the weather
were not as bad as II. was. The meet
ing was spirited turnout, and for once
the U. M W. A. field workers failed
to break up an opposition meeting.
Tony Panne, district organizer of the
u. M. w. A. with several others bench
men of CappelHni conferred with the
Burgess and sought to have the meet
ing stopped.
The burgess, on the other hand,
remembered that Panne did everything
he possibly could to defeat him (the
burgess) at the last election and so
did not seem very receptive to Mr..
Panne's proposals and refused to in
terfere with the meeting. Failing to
have the burgess stop the meeting,
Mr.. Panne thought he would do it
himself by taking into the meeting a
group Of paid sluggers.
The speakers were Patrick Toohey,
A Organti lin Italian), Polish speak
er, and Alex Campbell, ex-internation-
al board member of District No. /,
who was reelected at the last cleo
ton, but counted out by the Cappellini
tellers in favor of Brislin, the machine
man.
Toohey Chief Speaker.
Toohey spoke in detail on the pro-
gram Of the opposition, being the prin-
cipal speaker Of the meeting. Re
viewing the tremendous loss of mem
bership, the rise in the averages of
I the non-union production over the I'M
ion production, he stated It was neecs-
sary that every coal miner in America
Z be organized before the safety of the
United Mine Workers Of America
could be assured. Speaking in detail,
the program Of the opposition, organi-
cation of the unorganized, nationalist
ton Of mines, labor party, reinstate-
ment of all expelled members, national
agreements covering the anthracite
and soft coal regions In order to elimi-
nate the scabbery now prevalent, the
election Of all organizers, field work
ers and other employees of the union
which would eliminate the basis of the
machine building and political gum
shoeing in the organization, were some
Of the important points covered.
Where Is Check-Off?
The speaker took up the anthracite
situation, the demands of the tri-dis-
trict convention, and the results of the
six-months' strike. The question was
raised where is the check-off which
the administration assured the miners
was won? Where was the 10 per cent
increase for contract miners and the
500 day increase for all day men
employed in and around the mines?
Where was the two-year contract with
the recognition Of the union, the tom
mage issue, the question Of increase in
prices for rock and deadwork, and
many other things the miners fought
for?
Quoting from the anthracite agree
ment It was shown explicitly where
the anthracite mine workers, thru their
leaders, are working under contract
saturated and reeking with arbitra-
ton, despite the many and emphatic
assertions of the administration that
no arbitration would be tolerated.
1t was brought out that the only
thing which will save the miners I'M
ion from complete extinction is the re-
pudiation of the Lewis leadership and
the election OF the opposition slate
who are pledged to the program which
will solve the ills Of the Industry and
OF the organization.
Threatened Violence.
Mr.. Panne. who was present, ap-
peared to resent the remarks of the
speaker. He was given the floor to
chew the rag as long as he wanted
and he did It to perfection. The
longer he spoke the more of an ass he
made Of himself. Stating openly to
the audience that he would stand for
10 criticism, he turned to Toohey and
said, III you criticize me, and am an
organizer I'll riddle you" Upon being
invited by Toohey to start "riddllng,"
Mr.. Panne changed his mind and
thereupon proceeded to make fool OF |
himself by attempting to defend Cap
pellini and Lewis. Under discussion,
Panne was banned" by the rank and
flers fer his conduct in the Pennsyl. |
vania Coal strike, the Pittston strike,
and his accepting Job as organizer
from Cappellini after he had fought
Cappellini as a "betrayer" for months.
A motion was adopted and unanimous
ly carried to support the opposition
ticket, Mr.. Panne voting mo" alone,
but we don't consider him.