The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1929-10-28

Ahho ANoSAaSo thS PAOPOA e1oNo VI
"a mass movement firmly
knitted for organization and
struggle under the banner of
the N. M. U. was clear imme-
diately after the Belleville state
convention called by the NM.U.
opened yesterday.
10 Delegates.
President George Voyzey called
110 delegates to order. They repre-
sented the cream of the militant
miners movement in Illinois, a move
ment that has to its credit the "wild
cat strikes" of 1919, the Herrih bat
tie, the fight against the machine in
the Zeigler case, and the anti-Lewis
and anti-Fishwick movement of
1926.
Backed By Thousands.
Included among the delegates
were John Pukel, of Auburn, repre-
senting 800 organized miners, and
Bisby of Springfield, representing
700. Other delegates had similar
backing, proving conclusively that
the miners of Illinois have complete
confidence in the National Miners
Union for competent leadership in
the center of the struggle develop
ing now on a wide front against the
employers exploitation, and against
the Lewis and Farrington-Fishwick
misleadership.
A resolution on program and
tasks was thoroughly discussed by
dozens of delegates before it was
finally adopted late yesterday. 1t
analyzed the economic situation, the
role of the Lewis and Fishwick ma
chimes and a complete plan for in
tensive campaigns to take over the
U. M. W. A. locals.
Miners Hail Struggle.
The miners hail the Illinois strug-
gle as the signal for a nationwide
movement of miners for an uncom-
promising fight against class cola
boration, for the recognition of the
strike weapon.
THhe economic situation is one of
naturalization, introduction of ma
chinery displacing labor, widespread
unemployment, wage cutting by
means of forcing miners to do dead
work free, and worsening of every
underground condition. John Lewis,
international president of the U. M.
W. A, and his present rival for the
sell-out privileges and control of the
union property, Harry Fishwick,
president of District IL Qllinois)
of the U. M. w. A, were exposed
as mere tools of the bosses, inter-
ested in collecting check-off and
ready to sell out the miners at any
tur nto get it.
A special committee was elected
a tthe convention to formulate the
demands of the Illinois miners. The
sentiment among the delegates is
for:
A six-hour day-five-day week i;
no check off; no arbitration; no pen
atty; against the speed-up-enforce-
ment of safety rules.
They say improved machinery and
increased production-that now ben
efits the operators-should 60 to
the miners in he form of higher
wakes, shortening of hours and bet
ter working conditions.
The ywant a struggle against un-
employment, and social insurance for
the unemployed.
No discrimination or lay-offs re-
gardless of age, color, or national
ity. They are against JIM -Crowism
and TO the unity of all workers.
There must be rank and file con-
troll, the right to settle grievances
Of strike to be vested in the pit COM
mittee and the local union.
Salaries of the officers of the n.
M. U. are to be the same as those
of the working men in the mine.
Immediate sub-district conventions
throughout Illinois are planned, and
(CortiHued on Pane Threel