Montana labor news., 1936-08-20
1000 Members Accepted From
British Columbia Union.
Delegates Condemn Landon And
Lemke, Support Labors Non
Partis0n League, And Endorse
Roosevelt Boycott Hearst
and McFadden.

The recent convention Of the In
ternational Mine, Mill and Smelter
Workers, held in Denver, Colorado,
was on the whole very progress
| sive. This does not mean, how
ever, that all the delegates to the
convention were progressive, but in
examining the proceedings and
discussions that took place, the
resolutions revealed the sentiments
and desires of the metal miners and
smelter workers to be progressive.
There has been an increase during
the past year of some 1000 dues
paying members. This does not in
clude those local unions organized
and lost through strikes, particu-
larly in the tri-state are A num-
Der of resolutions were passed for
the extension of democratic rights
policy and others against the war
and Fascist policy of Landon.
Eager to Build New Unions.
A number of resolutions were
carried dealing with the question
of organization. 1t is interesting to
note the nationwide desire of the
mine, mill and smelter workers for
the broadening and extending of
the international throughout the
mining industry. No where are
the members satisfied with the re-
suits so far obtained in building
the union. Of particular interest,
was the resolution and discussion
by the committee set up to negoti-
ate for amalgamation with the
United Mine Workers. This, for
the time being, was turned down
for an offer of a loan to be used
in an organization drive by the
Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers,
providing they succeed in match
ing dollar for dollar.
Discussions in the convention
stressed the Importance of an or
g%anizational drive and the need to
finance such a drive. Provisions
were made to levy two assessments
to raise the necessary funds. A
resolution coming from Butte Local
No. l pledges that organization to
subscribe $1,000 to start an organi-
cation fund. Another resolution of
interest was resolution No. %, rails
ing the question Of utilization to the
Trade Union International. This
resolution was accepted by almost
unanimous agreement. Two more
important resolutions were resolu-
tons No. 49,, covering the actions
of the A. F. of L. Executive Coun-
Gil on the suspension of the ten
unions constituting the committee
for industrial organization. This
resolution deplores and condemns
the action of the Executive Council
in endeavoring to split the labor
movement. The International re-
affirms its position as supporting
the C. l.. o. Resolution No. 10
which was adopted unanimously,
pledges the international to affili-
ate with the Non-Partisan Political
League.
Canada Represented.
Showing the expansion of the In
ternational during the past year,
was a delegate from Eastern Can
ada. This delegate represented
four local unions in Canada and
stated that the potential member
ship in Eastern Canada was approx
imately 10000 men. The conven-
ton instructed the Executive Board
to Immediately place a paid organ
izer in this district. Another indie
pendent Miners union in British
Columbia was sent to the conven-
ton with a request for affiliation
with the International. This re-
quest vas acted upon favorably
and in the course of a few weeks
this Canadian local, with a mem
bership of approximately one
thousand will undoubtedly be a
part of the membership of the
Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers.
Landon Condemned.
One feature of the convention
was the numerous resolutions pre-
sented from all sections of the
country condemning ALT M. Lam
don, the Republican candidate for
President, and Lemke, of the
Coughlin Union party. These reso-
lutions were all similar and con-
demned Landon as a r~eactionary
and tool of Wall Street, with
Lemke as his stooge. The conven-
ton also re-affirmed its position on
the question of the Farmer-Labor
party. They also went on record
as instituting a boycott on publica-
tons published by Hearst and Nc
Fadden, the two arch Fascists of
| tha TTpifoJ C4o+oe