The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-11-02
California Labor
Continued From Page One)

Grafton of Labor convention adopted
was entitled Opposing Dictatorship
in the Labor Movement"
The text of the resolution follows:
Whereas, The tactics pursued by
John L. Lewis at the American Fed
Grafton of Labor Convention in 1885,
in that he would not recognize a ma
jority decision and action of that con-
vention, resulted in a serious division
in the American labor movement that
has been advantageous to opponents
of organizations of Labor and has de-
stroyed the unity of Labor so neces-
sary that workers may reap the full
benefits of their toll; and
Whereas, During the first peace
conference between A. F. Of l.. and
c. l. O. committees, said committees
unanimously agreed to procedure
for the closing of the division in the
American labor movement, which pro-
cedure, when made known to John l..
Lewis was Immediately repudiated by
him and he directed the C. l. o. COM
mittee to also repudiate the procedure
already agreed to, and as a result the
\. F. of L.-C. |. o. Joint Peace Com
mittee disbanded Immediately there
after; and
"Whereas, During the early part
Of 1899, on the urging of President
Roosevelt that efforts be renewed to
end the division in the American la
Dor movement, and as a result of this
urging, President Green Immediately
appointed committee for renewal
Of peace conferences, not naming him
self as one of that committee, and
later on, John L. Lewis appointed a
committee naming himself as men,
Der thereof; and
whereas, After the Joint Commit
tee had labored for some time trying
20 find method Of procedure that
would bring about unity among the
workers, but before this method could
oe found and adopted, John L. Lewis
announced that because of pressing
1uties in behalf of coal miners, he
| md his associates could no longer,
Cor time at least, participate in the
so-called peace conference, but that,
is soon as he was again free to serve
IN the committee, he would notify the
\. F. of l.. so that the peace confer
,nce could be resumed; and
Whereas, Several months have
low passed and the needs of the coal
miners have been met, yet John l..
Lewis has not signiied either desire
)r intention to resume the peace con-
serences, but on the other hand has
)ut forth new and more aggravated
Efforts to widen the division in the
American labor movement by trying
| % break down the A. F. of l.. Build
ng Trades organized movement; now,
| therefore,, be it
"Resolved, That the California Con-
| ference of Machinists assembled in
Oakland, California 4Qns September 23-
"a, 1889, go on recbtdf as bitterly con-
1emning John l.. Lewis for, in the
first place, being responsible for the
division in the American Labor move
| nent beginning in 1885 and, second
for his responsibility in disrupting the
first peace conference by refusing to
| be governed by the unanimous de-
cision of the Joint Peace Committee
and, third, that he be further con
demned because of his uncalled for
md unnecessary delay in resuming
| The peace conference of 1889, which
was adjourned at his request and in
his behalf; and be it further
L,{ 81
terence of Machinists express it's Sc
rious doubts of any intention on the
| part Of John L. Lewis to do anything
| whatever to unity the American la
Dor movement, unless that can be done
through its domination by the c. |. O.
and not through the democratic pro-
cess of self choosing by the majority
| and be it still further
Resolved, That the California Con
ference of Machinists, in behalf of
The more than forty thousand mem
bers of the |. A. of NJ, in California,
signify its and their desire to achieve
4 unity not subject to the tactics and
will of John l.. Lewis and serve
| notice upon said John l.. Lewis that
| we will work toward such unity, even
should it demand his complete elimi-
nation from the American labor move
ment; and be it yet further
"Resolved, That the California Con-
ference Of Machinists hereby signify
its loyalty to the avowed principles
| Of the A. f. of l.. and commend the
efforts that have been put forth along
democratic lines and principles, and
that undoubtedly would have been
successful except for the dictatorial
and arrogant attitude as personifed
| in the person of John l.. Lewis; and
be it still further
Resolved, That copies Of this rcso-
luton be sent to the President Of the
United States, the United States Sec
retary Of Labor, the President of the
A. +. Of L., the American Federation
Of Labor Convention, the President of
the |. a. of NJ, State Federation Of
Labor Convention, John l.. Lewis, the
Associated Press, and to such others
as will make it known that the Cali
fornia Conference of Machinists
| stands l,po II nrabl,y oppoced 70 dicta