The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1930-10-17
Fishwick Not a Candidate

marry flSnWlcK, PRESIDENT OF
the Illinois District and the man
who secured the injunction in IL
linois against Lewis, sees the
handwriting on the wall and will
not run for reelection. He very
probably came to this conclusion
when he called his convention in
Springfield last March, and wit
messed the demonstration against
him there. Of course may things
must be taken into consideration
regarding the refusal of Fishwick
to run again for office. Many
miners believe that because of
the condition the union and the
industry are in that his movement
may be strategic retreat for the
present, or perhaps he will be
slated for an office in the New
International Union in which Alex
Howatt is President, in case John
H. Walker runs for the Presiden-
cy of the Illinois Miners. Walker
is National Secretary and if he
runs for District President that
will leave vacancy to be filled.
Some miners believe it to be only
switching of jobs" maneuver.
However this program may be up-
set as the rank and file miners
put uD a rank and file slate and
it is my opinion not "a single pres
ent office holder can be honestly
reelected in Illinois. and to con-
duct dishonest election will very
likely be the spark to turn the
tables over to the rank ard file
movement.
Confidence In HOwatt
Alext Howat, former president
of the Kansas Miners is the only
official in the New Union that
has the confidence and respect of
the miners of Illinois. Alex is
looked up to lead the way out, and
outside of Franklin county where
Lewis forces have had control,
Howat is enthusiastically greeted
and his meetings have been large
ly attended throughout the state.
Howat has appealed to the rank
and file membership to hold meet
ings and to adopt progressive tao
tics and has assured them of his
support. He also has assumed
that there will be an honest cleo
ton conducted for District Off
Gals and it is thought that Howat
sees the necessity of rank and fill
ers being elected for office in the
coming December election, as he
knows or must know that his pres
ent official associates are not sup
porters of his policies, past OF
present. The coming few months
will thoroughly test out Howat
He will either support the rank
and file against the present off
cialdom or go down to defeat with
this Officialdom. Howat must
choose.
Rank and File Movements Develop
The most promising thing il
this whole mining situation in IL
linois, is the developing of ranl
and file educational leagues. These
leagues the last two months are
holdin0 fine meetings and arr
spreading out thru the State. The!
were started first at Staunton anC
now have spread to Pana, Herri1
and Springfield. Another ranl
and file group have headquarteri
at Belleville. Both these group
will be solidified. Both seek tn
same aims. Howat spoke befor'
the Stanton Educational RAM
and File meeting, Sunday, Septem
Der 18th, and readily accepte'
their program. The miners sens
their power now and the machine
cannot move against them in thei
divided state. A rank and fill
slate of candidates has been sc
lected and are now receiving tn
nominations all over the state. ]
offers a chance to capture tn
union, to promote militancy an
to create harmony and unity with
in the ranks of the miners. Thi
group can be looked to lead at tn
next opportune time and as l sal
is the most encouraging sign o
the horizon of the troubled miners
skies at the present time.
The National Miners Union
so insignificant you couldn't fin
it with a spy glass. 1t is not
factor, nor can it become a fa'
tor due to the errors it has con
mitted, by incapable LEADERSHIP
impossible schemes and muddlene'
coming by groups from the ou
side. In fact the N. M. U. I