-t'
mww
lillil!l[lllili!lllillillllilllliilllllllililill!llllilllillilllli!llillltl
^A\
||||1ll!l1llil!!iil!ll!ll!ill!llii[!lllli!ll!li!!IIIII!llJ!ll!!IIIIl!!llll^
Proceedings
Emergency
Convention
OF THE
SOCIALIST
JL Jl\. Jl\) J- JL
OF AMERICA
AT ST. LOUIS. 1917
>44
iiitiiiiiiiitiiiiiiitiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiitiiii
IP
MINUTES FIRST DAY SESSIQN.
April 7, 1917.
Morning Session.
Convention called to order by National Executive Secretary, Adolph
Germer, who read the official call for the assembling of the Convention.
Comrade Morris Hillquit, of New York, elected Temporary Chairman.
Opening address by Comrade Hillquit.
Election of Temporary Secretary. Following nominated:
A, Wagenknecht, of Ohio.
Julius Gerber, of New York.
John C Kennedy, of Illlnoia.
Geo. E. Roewer, Jr., of Massachusetts.
Comrades Gerber and Kennedy declined. Vote taken on those remain-
ing, resulted in 50 votes for Wagenknecht and 102 for Roewer the latter
was declared elected Temporary Secretary.
Wagenknecht was unanimously elected temporary assistant secretary.
Motion that the Chairman appoint a Credentials Committee consisting
of five members; amended by J. T. Cumbie, of Oklahoma, that we proceed
to election of said committee.
■Substitute motion by G. H. Goebel, of New Jersey, that the National
Secretary read the list of accredited delegates where no contest exists, and
that the organization of the convention be based upon same, but if any
contest exists that such matter be referred to a committee of five to be ap-
pointed by the chairman for hearing cases.
The previous question was then called for and carried.
Vote was then taken on substitute motion, which was carried.
National Secretary then read list of accredited delegates as follows:
ALABAMA: Emma Connolly.
ARIZONA: J. R. Barnette, Cory Davenport,
ARKANSAS: Clay Fulks, Dan Hogan.
CALIFORNIA: Job Harrlman, Cameron H. King, Harry McKee, W. T.
Mills, Thos. W. Williams.
COLORADO: W. P. Collins, Jennie McGehe.
^CONNECTICUT: Martin F. Plunkett. P. H. Shea, Geo. Spiess, Jr.
DELAWARE: L. P. McGuigan.
FLORIDA: Franklin Pimbley, Geo. White.
GEORGIA: Mary Raoul MiUls.
IDAHO: Elda B. Conly, C. F. Fields, L F. Stewart.
ILLINOIS: John Berg, Bernard Berlyn, Paul Castle, Clarence Diehl, Adolph
rireifuss, Samuel Holland, Robt. H, Howe,- John C. Kennedy, S. A. Knopfnagel,
Victor Lundquist, Duncan McDonald, Edgar Owens, Karl F. Sandberg.
INDIANA: Wm. W. Farmer, Wm, H. Henry, Wm. ip. Jackman, Florence
Wattles, Joe Zimmerman.
IOWA: C. T. Bowman, I. S. McCrillla, Harold Metcalf.
KANSAS: Ida A. Beloof, Phil Gallery, G. W, Klelliege, Mllo Mitchell.
KENTUCKY: Walter Millard.
LOUISIANA: J. R. Jones. -
MAINE: Desire Baker, H. Jacob P. Enemark.
Th© University of fdw»
LIBRARIES
MARYLAND: Maynard Shipley, S. L. V. Young,
MASSACHUSETTS: Victor Annala, Abraham Bloom, Charles E, Fenner,
Eugene Hough, George Makeia, Louis ^rarcus, James Oneal, George E. Roewer.
Jr., Max A. Schulze, F. J. Syryala.
MICHIGAN: D. E. Farley, E. O. Foss. H. A. Hedden, Jolm Keracher, John
Kiiskila, Al. Renner, M. Sugar, Robt. Westfall.
MINNESOT.\: F. W. Adams, B. J. Locher, .\nna A. Maley, Chas. Rastedt,
Geo. Sahlman, W. .V. Stafford, L. Vanderberg, W. O. Wassing.
MISSOURI: W. M. Brandt. G. C. Grant, Kate R. O'Hare.
MONTANA: McElroy. A. F. Miessner.
NEBRASKA: G. C. Porter.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: P, J. Leonard.
NEW JERSEY: Valentine Bauseh, Geo. H. Goebel, Henry Green, Milo C.
Jones, Frederick KrafCt, Patrick L. Quinlan, James M. Reilly.
NEW MEXICO: Walter B. Dillon, S. ParkH.
NEW YORK: Allen L. Benson, Alex. W. Berggren, F. G. Biedenkapp, L.
B. Boudin, Joseph D. Cannon, Julius Gerber, Morris Hillquit, "Wm. Hilsdorf,
Algernon Lee, Ludwig Lore. Max Lulow, S. J. Mahoney. Chas. W. Noonan!
Moses Oppenheimer, Albert Pauly, John C. Rowitch, Fred Sander, .lames' C.
Sheahan, U. Solomon, S. Norteva.
NORTH DAKOTA: C. C. Loomis, H. R. Martinson, L. M. Sheldon.
OHIO: Chas. Baker, Wm. Barnard, Tom Clifford, Jos. Jodlbauer, Frank
Midney, Wm. Patterson, Marguerite Prevey, C. E. Ruthenberg, A. Wagenknecht
Scott Wilkin.s.
OKLAHOMA: W. H. Conley, J. T. Cumbie, H. C. Geist, A. T. Jones. J. W.
Houchin, J. A. Lewis, E. L. Moore, Wm. Nias, H. L. Oder, C. G. Russell, A. G.
Sechrist, S. C. Atair, L. A. Stanwood, W. W. Terry, S.'c. Thompson,' R. r..
Thurmond, Eugene Tuttle, W. B. Smith.
OREGON: Victor J. McCone. W. N. Reivou, Albert Streiff.
PENNSYLVANIA: Wm. Adams, J. Mahlon Barnes, Dalton T. CJarke, Mrs
Mary Garber, Ed. Hayden, Wm. J. Higgins, John" R. ilcKeown, H. E. Mvers,
Mrs. Maude Ross, Henry Stump, Jane Tait, C. W. Thompson Birch L Wilson'
RHODE ISLAND: J. M. Caldwell, Theinert.
SOUTH DAKOTA: E. F. Atwood, W. P. Butler. I. M. Iverson, F L Fair-
child.
TENNESSEE: G. J. Braun, S. G. Gregory.
TEXAS; Wm. D. Simpson.
UTAH: Murray E. King, C, T. Stoney.
VERMONT: John Spargo. ' .
VIRGINIA: Jesse C. Duke.
"WASHINGTON: Sophus Bonneviel Emil Herman, Laura M. House, L E
Katterfeld, Ed. Maurer, Kate Sadler, Joseph Thomas
WEST VIRGINIA: G. W. Gillespie, M. S. Holt.
WISCONSIN: Victor L. Berger, John Doerfler, Jr.
Krayeki, N. P. Neilsen, Emil Seidel, Gerrit Thorn.
WYOMING: Geo. E. Bateman, W. W. Paterson.
' FRATERNAL DELEGATES.
Breslauer, Polish; N. Juel Christensen, Scandinavian; John LaDuca, Italian-
Arnold Xetbut, Lettish; Joseph Novak, Bohemian; Nuorteva, Finnish- Prank
Petrieh, South Slavic; Rich. Zirkman, German.
Youjjg People'.s Department, W. F. Kruse.
National Secretary then reported a contest existing in the delegation
from Michigan and South Dakota. Chairman Hillquit then declared all
delegates, except those from Michigan and South Dakota, seated, and
that suea delegates constitute the organization of the convention.
The Chairman then appointed the following committee on Contested
seats:
W. R. Gay lord. Leo
Adolph Gernier, of Illinois.
George H. Goebel, of New Jersey.
U. Solomon, of New York.
James Oneal, of Massacuisetts. '
Emil Seidel, of Wisconsin.
Comrade Katterfeld,, of Washington, then moved, that those .of the
MicMgan delega.es receiving the nve highest numbers Oi votes be declared
seated as the contest in that State referred only to the election of two dele-
gates. Motion declared out of order.
Then proceeaed to consideration of rules for the convention, recom-
mended by the National Executive Committee.
Rule 1, reading as follows, was adopted:
"1. A Chairman and a Vice-Chairman shall be elected by show of
hands at the beginning of each day's session."
Then proceeded to nomination and election of a permanent chairman.
The following were nominated for chairman: .
Morris Hillquit, of New York,
W. R. Gaylord, of Wisconsin. Gaylord declined.
Motion made and seconded that the secretary be instructed to cast
one ballot for Hillquit as permanent chairman. Carried.
The following nominations were then made for permanent Vice
Chairman:
Kate Sadler, of Washington . .
Algernon Lee, of New York
John C. Kennedy, of Illinois
W. R. Gaylord, of Wisconsin
Duncan McDonald, of Illinois
Anna Maley, of Minnesota
Emil Seidel, of Wisconsin
All nominees declined except Duncan McDonald, who was unanimously
elected Vice Chairman.
Rule 2 was read and adopted, as follows:
"2. A permanent secretary, and two assistants who may be chosen
from outside the body of delegates, shall be elected by show of hands for
the entire convention."
'yie following comrades were nominated for permanent secretary of
Hie convention;
George E. Roewer, of Massachusetts
A. Wagenknecht, of Ohio. /> -
Wagenknecht declined, and Roewer being the sole npminee was
declared elected.
Nominations of two assistant secretaries were made, as follows:
Julius Gerber, of New York
A. Wagenknecht, of Ohio
Anna Maley, of Minnesota . '
S. C. Thompson, of Oklahoina
-Bertha Hale Brown, of Illinois
W. P. Butler, ot South Dakota
4 ^ - ■ ' " ■
m
m
o
Q
Elizabeth Goldstein, of Massachusetts
Mabel Hudson, of Illinois.
All declined except Wagenknecht and Goldstein, who being the sole
nominees, were declared elected. •
The following rules were then read and adopted;
"S. A reading clerk shall be appointed- by the chairman; also as
many assistants as shall be necessary."
"4. A permanent sergeant-at-arms and such assistants as may be,
necessary, who may be chosen from outside the body of delegates, shall
Ije appointed by the chairman."
"5. The sergeant-at-arms shall appoint a sufflciant number of mes-
sengers to assist him." ^
"6, Four permanent tellers and such additional tellers as may be
needed shall be appointed by the chairman."
"7. The executive secretary and members of the national executiv >
committee who are not delegates, shall have a voice and no vote in the
convention."
"8. The following committees of nine members each shall be elected
(A) Committee on war and militarism."
Motion by Holland, of Illinois, that Rule 8 be amended to read that
the Committee on War and Militarism be increased from nine to fifteen
members. Carried.
Amendment by Thomas, of Washington, that the committee consist
of 15, but not more than one from any state.
Amendment to amendment that committee consist Of one member
from each state. Mover of amendment to amendment asked permission to ■
withdraw, which was granted.
Previous question was then called for, and carried.
. The motion to increase the committee from nine to 15 was carried.
The amendment was lost.
"(B) Committee on Constitution." Carried.
"(C) Co'mmittee on Platform." Carried.
Motion by Boudin, of New York, to amend by striking out rule fo
election of Committee on Platform.
Amendment by Lore, of New York, that committee of 9 be elected
to draw up platform as outlined in the motion of the National Executive
Committee to report to the membership not later than July 1, 1917, and
that the provision that only one member from a state be represented on
a committee shall not apply to this committee. The chairman declared
the motion out of order.
The previous question was called for by Margaret Prevey, of Ohio,
and carried.
Motion, to strike out committee on platform, lost.
Motion to elect such a committee, carried.
"(D) Committee on Resolutions." Carried.
**(E) Committee on Organization." Carried.
"(F) Committee on Ways and Means." .Carried.
>
. "(G) No delegate shall serve on more than one of the committees
provided in the rules."
Motion by B. Mahloii Barnes, of Pennsylvania, to amend the rule that
no delegate serve on more than cue committee to read that the Committee
on War and Militarism and on Platform be excepted.
The previous question was called for, and carried.
Motion lost.
Motion of J. M. Caldwell, of R. I., to amend rule covering duty of
committee on organization by adding "to include the organization and
education of the young." Carried.
C. E. Ruthenberg, of Ohio, offered motion to amend rule so as to
include a committee on investigation of national office and officers. The
chairmad ruled that such matter could be considered as part of the duties
of the Organization Committee.
The remainder of Rule 8, reading as follows, was adopted;
"All subjects pertaining to war and militarism shall be dealt "with
by the committee on that question. The committee on platform shall
confine its work to a general declaration of Socialist principles and of the
economics and political program of the party.
"The committee on organization shall deal with methods and plans
of organization, propaganda and field work.
"The Comniittee on Ways and Means shall devise and recommend
methods of raising funds for party work including the necessary funds to
cover the cost of this convention.
"All resolutions dealing with subjects which do not come within the
specific province of the other committees shall be referred to the committee
on resolutions."
"9. Discussion shall be limited to five minutes for each speaker.
Chairman of committees shall have 20 minutes for opening reports, and
they shall have the right to close discussions. No delegate shall speak a
second time on any question until all those desiring to, use their time
shall have had an opportunity to speak "
Amended by Frank Midney, of Ohio, that the time limit of general
discussion be increased from o to 10 minutes.
The previous' question was then called for and carried.
Motion lost.
Amendment by Bernard Berlyn, of Illinois, that Rule 9 read that
chairman of committees be limited to 10 minutes instead of 2 0.
Amendment to amendment by Samuel Holland, of Illinois, that the
time of such reports be made l-> minutes.
The vote taken showed 69 in favor of the 20 minute period, 50 in
favor of 1-1 minutes, and 53 in. favor of 10 minutes. The chairman ,de-
'lared the debate limit to 20 minutes carried.
At this juncture the chairman declared that the report of the Com-
lulttee on Contested Seats would be in order.
U. Solomon, of New York, for the committee, reported as follows:
"That it is the opinion of the committee that the state of Michigan is
entitled to seven delegates, and the committee recommends that the
following comrades be seated and have^one vote each: John Kiiskila, E. O.
Foss, D. E. Barley, John Keracher, Albert Renner, M. Sugar, and that
Comrades H. A. Hedden and Robert Westfal! each be entitled to one-half
vote; that this disposition of the contest in Michigan is satisfactory to all
parties concerned."
Motion of Geo. H. Goebel that the report be received and adopted.
Carried.
Amendment by Hogan that all delegates from Michigan, given one-
half vote by the committee on contested seats, be given a full vote each,
Amendnient lost.
Original motion carried.
Further recommendation of committee on contested seats as to South
Dakota contest: that E. F. Atwood, F. L. Fairchilds. I. M. Iverson, and
W. P. B. Butler be seated, giving each one-half vote.
Motion by Henry Green, of N. J., that report of committee be accepted.
Carried.
"10. The sessions of the convention shall be from 9.30 a. m. to 1.00
p. m., and from 2.30 p. m. to 5.30 p. m. Night sessions shall be held as
ordered."
Motion of Solomon that this rule be amended to read that sessions
of the convention be held from 9.00 a. m. to 12.30 p. m. and from 2.3
p. m. to 5.30 p. m., evening sessions as ordered. Carried.
Adjournment hour having arrived, the chairman declared recess until
2.30 p. m.
o
Afternoon Session.
April 7, 1917.
Delegates called to order by the chairman.
The secretary then read changes in and arrival of additions to per-
sonell of delegates as follows:
New Jersey: James Riley, in place of Strobell.
Pennsylvania: L.. Birch Wilson, Jr., J. Henry Stump.
Arizona: Cory Davenport.
Y. P. S. L.; Wm. F. Kruse, fraternal delegate.
Motion By Fred Sander, of New York, that changes be allowed and
new delegates be seated. Carried.
Telegrams were then read from the following:
21st Assembly District. Kings County. Socialist Party, Brooklyn.
Thodi Liluegren, Moline, 111.
Local St. Paul.
Local Washington, D. C.
The above telegrams, except that fron Brooklyn, were referred to
Committee on War and Militarism. "
Telegram from Brooklyn referring to national women's se:?retary
Tvas referred to Committee on Organization.
_ The following rules Were read and adopted:
"11. Roberts* Rules of Order shall be used with this exception:
"When the previous question is ordered one delegate on each side may speak
' .. 7 ' ■ ' -
tor five aiinutes; also that the previous questioq may be ordered by major-
ity vote.
"12. During the sessions no smoking shall be allowed.
"13. The vote of no state shall be passed as a unit where the
delegates of such state are not in agreement on the matter upon "which
vote is being taken."
"14. Each delegation shaa designate, in the absence of any delegate,
the alternate who shall fill such vacancy, if there are any duly elected
alternates present from the state."
Motion by Solomon, of New York, that Rule 14 be amended by strik-
ing out the words "If there are any duly elected alternates elected present
from the state." Carried.
"15. Neither contesting nor contested delegates shall vote on any
(luestion relating to their right to be seated." Adopted.
"16. A roll call shall be had when demanded by at least 25 dele-
gates."
Motion by Sander, of New York, to amend that 50 instead of 25 dele-
gates shall be the number required to demand a roll call.
Amendment by J. T. Cumbie, of Oklahoma, that a majority of the
delegates only may demand a roll call.
Amendment lost.
Amendment to amendment lost.
Rule 16 adopted as read.
"17. All resolutions offered from the floor of the Convention shall be
read to the convention and referred by the chairman to the proper com-
mittee without discussion." ' ,
Motion by Robt. H;^ Howe, of Illinois, to amend that all resolutions
be read from the floor of the con vention and be referred by the chairman
of the convention without discussion to the proper committees.
Amendment by Ludwig Lore, of New York, that the resolutions com-
mittee report all resolutions introduced whether acted upon favorably or
unfavorably by the resolutions committee.
Amendment to amendment made by Duncan McDonald, of Illinois,
that any resolutions offered from the floor be read by tittle and referred.
to the proper committee by the chairman of convention.
Motion lost.
Amendment carried.
Amendment to amendment carried.
"18. Immediately bafore the adjournment of each afternoon session,
resolutions offered by delegates shall be received and referred,"
Motion by Geo. H. Goebel, of N. J., that no resolution be received after
Tuesday evening., '
Amendment by F. G. Biedenkapp, of New York, to substitute Wednes-
day evening for Tuesday evening. , .
The previous question was then called for and carried. ^'
Amendment lost.
Motion carried.
•
f
delegate's ^lu^^'^lZV/ """"'"' '' '"'' '""' "' ' ""'""''' "' ""'
ORD.ER OF BUSINESS.
Tie following were read and adopted: \
nr.pJ2' '^^^ Convention shall be called to order by the Chairman of the
preceedmg day. or in his absence by the Vice-Chairman, or the Executive
the da7' " ''' ''""'"'" '"' Vice-Chairman shall be elected Jor
Roll call of delegates unless dispensed with" by motion
Readmg of minutes ol preceding day unless dispensed with by
"2
"3
motion.
"4,
"6.
"7.
Communications.
Report on credentials.
Unfinished business of the preceding day.
Reports of officers and committees in the following order-
"Report of Executive Secretary.
"Report of National Executive Committee.
"Report of American Socialist.
"Report of Foreign Speaking Federations.
"Report of Committee on War and Militarism.
"Report of Committee on Constitution.
"Report of Committee on Platform.
"Report of Committee on Resolutions.
"Report of Committee on Organization.
"Report of Committee on Ways and Means."
Motion made to amend that report of Y. P. S. L. be inserted after
report on American Socialist. Carried.
socialist, Y. P. S. L. and Foreign Speaking Federations. Lost.
Motion, by L. E. Katterfeld, of Washington, that such of the standin.-
committees as were elected at the last meeting of the national committee
that were ready to report shall be heard after the regular committees have
reported.
Thos. W. Williams, of California, moved to lay the above motion on
the table. Carried.
"S. New business." Adopted.
"9. Receiving and referring of resolutions." Adopted.
"10. Adjournment." Adopted.
Motion by Chas. W. Noonan, of New, York, that Committee on War
and Militarism shall report not later than Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock-
the Committee on Platform not later than Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock'
the Committee on Constitution . not later than Wednesday afternoon at
3 o'clock; each of these committees to have their report printed for dis-
tribution immediately after their report is made; no action or considera-
tion bf these reports shall be heard earlier than the following morning
after the reports are made.
Motion to table carried.
9
Motion by Kate Sadler, of Washington, that we elect committee of 9
to receive reports of the press and national offices.
Amendment by Geo. H. Goebel, of N. J., that the above committee
consist of 5 members, and that after examining these reports they shall
assign the various reports to committees which they concern.
Motion by W. R. Gaylord, of Wise, to lay motion before the house
on the table. Carried.
Motion by Ludwig Lore, of New York, that Committee on War and
Militarism report not later than Tuesday morning and that all other
pending business be laid aside at such time.
Amendment by J. T. Cumbie, of Oklahoma, that Monday be substi-
tuted instead of Tuesday.
The previous question was then called for and carried.
Amendment lost.
Original motion carried.
Motion by G. C. Porter, of Nebraska, to adopt rules of order as a
whole as amended. Carried.
The chairman subsequently made the following appointments accord-
ing to rules:
Reading Clerk: Walter Millard, of Kentucky.
Sergeant in Chief: Frank O'Hare, of Missouri.
Tellers: James Riley, of New Jersey; Thomas Williams, of Califor-
nia; L. E. Katterfeld, of Washington; P. G. Leonard, of New Hampshire.
Nomination and election of committee of 15 on war and militarism
was then declared in order.
Nominations: G. W. Kleihege, of Kansas; L. B. Boudin, of New York;
H. Jacob P. Enemark, of Maine; George Spiess, Jr., of Conn.; Walter
Thomas Mills, of Cal.; Kate O'Hare, of Missouri; Al. Renner of Michigan;
Allan L. Benson, of New York; Morris HiUquit of New Yor'-; John R.
McKeown, of Penn.; A. G. Sechrist, of Okla.; AValter B. Dillon, of New
Mexico; A. F. Meissner, of Montana; James Oneal, of Mass.; F. G. Bieden-
l<app, of New York; Victor L. Berger, of Wis.; P. J. Quinlan, of N. J.;
Kdgar Owens, of III.; Job. Harriman, of Cal.; J. R. Barnette, of Ari.;
Duncan McDonald, of 111.; S. A. Koppnagel, of III.; John Spargo, of Ver-
mont; Algernon Lee, of New York; C. E. Ruthenberg, of Ohio; C. T.
Stoney, of Utah; Victor J.McCone, of Oregon; S. G. Gregory, of Tenn.;
Margaret Prevey, of Ohio; Dan Hogan, of Ark.; W. P. Collins, of Colo.;
Frank Midney, of Ohio; Wm. J. Higgins, of Penn.; Maynard Shipley, of
Md.; I. F. Steward, of Idaho; Anna Maley, of Minn.; Birch L. Wilson, of
i'enn.; C.-W. Thompson, of Penn.; Albert Streiff, of Ore.; Jas. C. Sheahan,
of New York; Kate Sadler, of Wash.; Bernard Berlyn, of 111., Jane Tate,
of Penn.; W. R. Gaylord of Wis.
The Chairman ruled that the language federation secretaries be not
permitted to act as members of committees, nor make nominations. The
ruling of the Chairman was appealed from by Robt. H. Howe, of Illinois.
The Chairman was sustained. .
Acceptances and declinations called for, and the foUowini declined:
Walter Thomas Mills, of Cal.; Duncan McDonald, of 111.; Margaret Prevey,
- 10 -
of Ohio; Anna Maley, of Minn.; Albert Streiff, of Ore.; Bernard Berlyn,
of III.; Jane Tate, of Penn.
Motion by L. E. Katterfeld, of Washington, that before we proceed
to ballot for the above nominees each candidate to be asked to answer the
question by "Yes" or "No"; "Are you opposed to all militarism and to all
war, either offensive or defensive, except the war of the working class
against the capitalist class?"
The Chairman relinquished tne gavel to Vice-Chairman McDonald.
Motion by John R. McKeowin, of Pennsylvania, that the Katterfeld
motion be laid on the table was ruled out of order.'
The previous question was called for, and carried.
By vote of 66 to 96 the motion was lost.
Motion by U. Solomon, of. New Yrk, that the national secretary be
empowered to print ballots for Committe on War and Militarism and that
the vote be taken the first thing tomorrow (Sunday) morning.
Amendment by R. H. Howe, of Illinois, that we now proceed to vote,
that the votes be collected, counted, and the result announced the first
thing in the morning.
Amendment to amendment by Albert Streiff, of Oregon, that we
proceed to vote now and elect all 15 committeemen before we adjourn.
Amendment to amendment declared out of order.
Appeal was taken by Bernard Berlyn, of Illinois, from the ruling of
the Chairman to the effect that delegates may vote for more than one
nominee from any one state. The appeal was withdrawn.
U. Solomon, of New YorK, withdrew his motion by common consent.
The tellers were instructed to proceed to collect the ballots on com-
mittee for war and militarism.
The Chairman then asked if all had voted who desired to, and finding
that all voting had ceased, declared the session adjourned until 9 o'clock
Sunday morning April Sth. ^
GEORGE E. ROEWER> JR., Secretary.
U
SECOND DAY, Morning Session.. . t
Sunday, April 8th, 1017.
Convention called to order at 9:20 by Chairman Hillquit.
Following nominations were made for chairman:
McDonald of Illinois (accepted); Ruthenberg- of Ohio (declined); Howe
i>f lUiriois (accepted); Hillquit of New York (declined); Kate R. O'Hare of
Miss, (accepted); Henry of Indiana (declined); Cumbie of Oklahoma (declined);
Heacrest of Oklahoma (declined).
Kate Richards O'Hare was declared elected chairman by 86 votes;
McDonald* received 53, and Howe, 10 votes.
Following nominations were made for vice-chairman:
Mct>onald of Illinois (declined); Boudin of New York (declined); Ruthen-
lierg^ Of Ohio (declined); Prevey of Ohio (declined); Oneal of Massachusetts
nleclined): Cumbie of Oklahoma (accepted); Williams of California (accepted);
Howe of Illinois (accepted); Adams of Minnesota (declined).
Cumbie of Oklahoma was elected by 5 5 votes; Williams 34; Howe 29
votes.
Comrade Wagenknecht resigned as assistant secretary.
The following were nominated to fill the vacancy: Jane Taite of Penn-
aylvania and James Reilly of New Jersey.
Comrade Reilly was elected by 58 votes; Comrade Taite received 50
votes. .
Moved by Boudin, that roll call be dispensed with. Previous question
called for and carried. Motion defeated.
Motion by Jackman of Indiana, that attendance cards be printed.
Seidel of Wisconsin moved a substitute motion that secretary be
empowered to place a secretary of the roll call at the door tomorrow
morning.
Hillquit of New York made a point of order that decision on this
point Is out of order, and was sustained by the chair.
Hillquit moved that tellers be requested to inform the Convention
the result on the Committee on War and Militarism. Carried.
Tellers made report as follows:
A total of 185 ballots was cast, of which 3 were void, due to the dele-
Kates either not signing them, or voting for more than 15 members. These
ballots, if counted, would not have affected- the result:
The fifteen elected were:
Votes
KATE RICHARDS O'HARE, OF MISSOURI.. '. 129
MORRIS HILLQUIT, OF NEW YORK 114
KATE SADLER. OF WASHINGTON - . ., - . 101
PATRICK L. QUINLAN, OF NEW JERSEY 95
C. E. 'RUTHENBERG, pF OHIO .....90 ^
DAN HOGAN OF ARKANSAS ..., • 90
ALGERNON LEE, OF NEW YORK... 81
LOUIS D. BOUDIN, OF NEW YORK. ,80
, , 12 '
JOB HARRIMAN, OF CALIFORNIA .~. / ^^
JOHN SPARGO, OF VERMONT '^'^
MAYNARD SHIPLEY, OF MARYLAND ^ ■ '1
FRANK C MIDNEY, OF OHIO ''^
WALTER B. DILLON. OF NEW MEXICO ^ *>
VICTOR L. BERGER, OF ^VISCONSIN • ^^
GEORGE A. SPIESS. OF CONNEICTICUT 65
VOTES FOR OTHER CANDIDATES WERE:
Benson, 63; Owens, 54; Meisner, 50; Wilson, 43; Higgins, 39; McKeown. Pa.,
33; Beidenkapp, 14; Collins, 61; Renner, 52; Seacrest. 45; Thompson, 41; Stewart.
38: Barnett, 31;' JCleihege. 12; Gaylord, 58; Gregory, 51; McCone, 43; Knopfnagel,
41; Stoney, 34; Enejnark, 31.
Votes were also cast for twelve Comrades, whose names did not appear on
the list of candidates, as follows:
Streiff, 14; Oneal, 3; Katterfeld, 2; Henry, 1; Maley, 6; Work, 2; Prevey, 2;
Pickering, 1; Mills, 4; Germer, 2; McDonald, 2; Barnes, 1.
We desire to recommend to the Coavention that in the election of
other committees, the nominations for all be made at the morning session
of April 8th, and that ballots with the names of all candidates be prepared,
so that the voting may take place at the commencement of the afternoon
session. Fraternally,
James M. Reilly, L. E. Katterfeld, T. W. Williams, P. J. Leonard,
Tellers.
Hilquit of New York moved that the members of the Committee on
War and Militarism be excused and allowed to retire to transact their
business at once. Previous question called for and carried.
Harriman of Californa moved that hereafter in the election of com-
mittees, each ballot cast shall contain the full number of names required
upon such committee.
Zimmerman of Indiana moved to table Harriman's motion. Carried
by vote of 90 to 56.
Mills of California moved that in voting for committees, hereafter
five names shall be voted on.
Chairman ruled this motion out of order, and was appealed from.
By vote of 103 to 46 the Chair was sustained.
Caldwell of Rhode Island moved that we proceed to nominate and
^lect remainder of committees of the Convention.
Bloom of Massachusetts moved for previous question which was
carried.
Caldwell's motion was then carried.
Comrade O'Hare now offered resignation as chairman of the day, and
retired to do her work on the Committee on War and Militarism.
Sandler of New York called for previous question which was carried.
Comrade O'Hare's resignation was accepted.
The Chairman ruled that on resignation of chairman, vice-chairman
becomes chairman.
The following were nominated for vice-chairman:
Solomon of New York (declined): Howe of Illinois taccepted); Williams
of California (accepted); Fenner of Massachusetts (declined); Katterfeld of
Washington (declined); Mahoney of New York (declined).
13
By a vote of 71. Howe of Illinois was elected vice-chairman against
a vote of 65 for Williams. *
The following nominations were made for the Committee on Consti-
tution: r
Solomon of New York (accepted); Hayden of Pennsylvania (accentedV
Oneal Of Massachusetts (accepted): Moore of Oklahoma (accepted) Kennel o^
aSu^r Pa ;?;ftewTr" ''' T^"'^^^"^""^^ (accepted); Kinl'';f'^Califo'rnra
rIh!. »^ I'n ''*' (accepted); Gaylord of WLsconsin (accepted)-
f^eh■n^Ln'(re;t::^"^^^= -n.„.er.ann of Indiana (accepted); K^tterf^^f
Xorteva of New York (declined): Beloof of Kan.^as (accepted)- Krafft
: t Ucc-L^TeT)-^ Werflir- ^^!'"jl.°;.^-"'-'^^a (accepted); Plun^keTof Conn::t•-
L^^ trT. J ^^^^^f^"' o' Michigan (accepted); Gerber of New York (de
«lmed); McGehe of Colorado (declined); Barnard of Ohio faccepred) Daven
R^n«J /x ^V^^^'' ""^ Minnesota (accepted); Fields of Idaho (accented)-
Benson of New York (declined); Meisner of Montana (accepted^ Goebel n;
New Jersey (accepted): Cumbie.of Oklahoma (declined) Honf)V o^t
-hu^etts (accepted); Williams Of California (accepted) ^ •' ^'"''^■
election rth^ofh'''"'' "' '""°" '^'' ^' ^^°'^^^ "*^^ nomination and
« le^iion ot the other committees.
Solomon of New York moved that we proceed with election of other
.omm.ttees. and if a member has been nominated for more than one
::rr'in: ^: '^"^^h ^^^"^^^--'- -^ ^-^^t committee ;: i]:lTo
Sander of New York called for previous question. <]arried
ou7 f l"^l°'' """"^"^ '''^' nominations shall be passed up in writing
Clifford of Ohio moved that nomination by roll call of eacH state
u.nttTt:L!"c:red"^^^" " "'^ "' °' '^-^ -°^^-^ -^ --^-
Solomon's motion carried.
Cl.TAT''^''^ '"'Z'" ^°'^ """'^ ^^"^ ^^^'""^^ «tart at the right
Hide of the room and proceed to the left in accepting nominations.
Solomon moved that above motion be tabled
Prevey of Illinois asked for unanimous opinion on personal privilege
VVua not sustained. y^ivnege.
Duke of Virginia moved that sergeant-at^arms name the ten members
who assist him in maintaing order. mrimoers
Millard of Kentucky moved to table above motion. Carried
..r uext^rmmmel'"'*^ ""'''' '''' ^^'^ ^^^^^^^ ^° "-"'-^'- ^^^ ^'-tion
Sander of New York moved previous question Carried
The convention then proceeded to nominate Committee on Plat.orm
'•!•> following were nominated: «tivjiu..
Mitchell of Kansas (accepted); White of Florida (accented* • nni , ,
U-t Virginia (accepted) ;■ Kleihe^e of Kansas Vice ri. « ,? ^'^"'''^ °'
>...-. (accepted); Kin^ of California (a^^e^ted) LoTe of N^ Yor'k llT
....t.d); Su^ar of Michigan (accepted); McCone of O^o^ UcLpLd"- "Z^ ,
14
Donald of Illinois (declined); Gregory of Tennessee (accepted); Mills of
California (declined); Lewis of Oklahoma (declined); Noonan of New York
(declined) ^
Iiulow of New York (declined); Kennedy of Illinois (declined); Stanwood
of Oklahoma (accepted); Oppenlielmer of New York (accepted); KrafEt of
New Jersey (accepted); Thorne of Wisconsin (accepted); Millard of Kentucky
(accepted); Goebel of New Jersey (accepted); Howe of Illinois (accepted);
Holland of Illinois (declined); Fairchild of North Dakota (accepted); Thomas of
Washington (accepted); Owens of Illinois (accepted); Collins of Colorado (ac-
cepted); Clifford of Ohio (declined); McGehe of Colorado (declined); Gaylord
of Wisconsin (declined); Thomas of Washington (declined); Barnes of Pennsyl-
vania (accei>ted) ; Pauly of New York (declined); Oneal of Massachusett.'>
(accepted); Malley of Minnesota (declined) Prevey of Ohio (declined); Fields
of Idaho (declined); Renner of Micliigan (declined); King of Utah (accepted);
The following were nominated on Committee on Resolutions:
Adams of Minnesota (accepted); Gregory of Illinois (accepted); Renner of
Michigan( declined); Millard of Kentucky (accepted); Stewart of Ohio (ac-
cepted); Schultze of Massachusetts (accepted); Lulow of New York (ac-
cepted); Maurer of Washington (accepted); Butler of South Dakota (accepted);
Prevey of Ohio (accepted); Sheldon of North Dakota (declined); Iverson of
South Dakota (accepted); Leonard of New Hampshire (accepted); Seidel of
Wisconsin (declined); Wilson of Pennsylvania (accepted); McElroy of Montana
(accepted); Knopfnagel of Illinois (accepted); Clifford of Ohio (accepted);
Benson of New York (declined); Mills of California (declined); Owens of
Illinois (accepted); Gaylord of Wisconsin (declined); Bausch of New .Jersey
(accepted); Neilsen of Wisconsin (accepted); Noonan of New York (accepted);
Oder of., Oklahoma (accepted); Tuttle of Oklahoma (declined); Zimmermann
of Indiana (accepted); Pierce of North Carolina (accepted); Biedenkapp of.
New York (declined); Duke of "Virginia (accepted); Mahoney of New York
(declined); Foss of Michigan (accepted); Oppenheimer of New York (declined);
Kisskila of Michigan (accepted); Conley of Idaho (declined); Holt of West
Virginia (accepted); McKee of California (declined); McCrillis of Iowa (ac- .
cepted); Theinert of Rhode Isalnd (accepted); Jones of Louisiana (accepted):
Pimbley of Florida (declined); King of California (declined); Streiff of
Oregon (accepted): Thomas of Washington (declined).
The Convention then proceeded to ballot for the Platform Committee,
and the following were nominated as assistant tellers: Fenner of Mas-
sachusetts; Conley of Oklahoma, an;i Duke of Virginia.
The Convention adjourned at 12:30 for noon recess until '^-'dO
SECOND DAY, Afternoon Session.
Sunday, April 8th, 1917.
Delegates called to order by the Chairman at2:30 p. m.
Convention proceeded to nominate members of the Committee on
Organization. The following were nominated: Caldwell of Rhode Island,
Oneal of Massachusetts, Norteva of New York, McCone of Oregon, Millis
of Georgia, Shea of Connecticut, King of California, Pauly of New York,
Early of Michigan, Mahoney of New York, Gregory of Tennessee. Gerber of
New York, Houtchen of Ohio, McKee of California, Baker of Maine, Noo-
nan of New York, Wagenknecht of Ohio, Henry of Indiana, Green of New
Jersey, Jones of New Jersey, Krzycki of Wisconsin, Daverlport of Arizona,
Castle of .Uinois, King of Utah, McDonald of Illinois. McGee of Colorado,
Butler of South Dakota, Sheldon of North Dakota, Haden of Pennsylvania,
15
Conley of Idaho. Herman of Washington, VanderbeTg of Minnesota, Parks
of New Mexico, McCrllUs of Iowa, Young of Maryland, Stafford of Minne-
sota, Fields of Idaho. Marcus of Massachusetts, Kleihege of Kansas. Mills
of California. - ^ It -c
The following declined: Oneal of Mass., King of Cal., Gerber of N. T..
Noonan.of N. Y., Stafford of Minn., and Mills of .Cal.
Noonan of New York moved that the tellers who are ready to report
should report prior to election of the next committee. Carried.
Sander of New York moved that names of those elected on committee
be put on blackboard, so that convention may know how to vote in-
telligently on the committees that are to follow. Carried.
Comrade Gerber for Constitution Committee reported the following
.lelegates elected: Mayley of -^.nnesota, 115 votes; .vcnneuy of Illinois,
113; Solomon of New York, 103; Mills of California. 90; Williams of
California, 87; ivatterfe.^ oi Washington, 87, Henry of Indiana, 81; vioebel
of New Jersey, 80; Gaylord of Wisconsin 7 9.
The vote for the other candidates was: Moore of Oklahoma. 72;
McKeown of Pennsylvania. 72; Parks of New Mexico, 36; Berlyn of Illinois,
.56 • Ballou of Kansas, 42; Krafft of New Jersey, 34; Plunkett of Con-
necticut, 51; Westfall of Michigan, 29; Bernard of Ohio. 71; Davenport of
Arizona, 33; Martinson of North Dakota, 28: Collins of Colorado, 73;
flowitch of New York, 29; Fields of Idaho, 27; Meissner of Montana, 72;
Hough of Massachusetts, 38.
Caldwell of Rhode Island moved that the secretary be instructed to
disqualify the nominations of candidates for committees who are already
elected on other committees.
Amendment that candidates be asked to withdraw from committees,
who are nominated twice.
' Motion, to table the amendment and original motion. Carried.
Howe of Illinois moved that every member that is elected on a com-
mittee should sit during the session of that committee.
Chair declared motion out of order.
Convention proceeded to nominate for Committee on Ways and Means.
The following were nominated: Wassing of Minnesota, House of Washing-
loti Seidel of Wisconsin, Howe of Illinois, Annala of Massachusetts,
Kfiiner of Massachusetts. Wattles of Indiana, Fulks of Arkansas, Meyers
„f Pennsylvania, Meissner of Montana, Loomis of North Dakota, Baker
(.r Ohio Parks of New Mexico, Holland of Illinois, Barnett .of Arizona,
(Irant of Missouri. Brandt of Missouri, Green of New Jersey, Gerber of
New York Tuttle of Oklahoma, Hillsdorf of New York, Beloof of Kansas.
Herman of Washington, Metcalf of Iowa, Sugar of Michigan, Bowman oE
Iowa. .
The following declined: Wassing of M'nn., Seidel of Wis., How6 ol
111., Wattles of Ind., Brandt of Mo., Gerber of N. Y., Herman of Wash.
The Reading Clerk read the following telegrams:
From Rose' Gildson of New York, relative to creation of National
Women's Committee;
From Helen R. Fisher, new York, relative to agitation among women;
' . 16
From N. L. Clarke, Magnolia, Texas, relative to preparedness and
■war;
From Ruth Le Prade, Los Angeles, Cal., "relative to war;
From Secretary Raphael. Detroit, Mich., relative to war;
From Sarah Volovick, New York, urging National Woman's Com-
mittee;
From Jacob Klein, Poughkeepsee, N. J., relative to war;
From Ether Friedman, New York, urging creation of Women's Com-
- mittee;
From Bert L. Hopkins, pledging refusal to read capitalist papers.
New York delegates reported that Joseph Cannon from New York
was present and would now act in capacity of delegate in place of
Norteva, alternate delegate.
The Convention elected the following as tellers on the Committee on
Organization: Metcalf of Iowa, Collin of Colorado, Bonnevie of Washing-
ton, Russell of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma delegation recommended that Leonard R. Johnson be seated
- as delegate for Oklahoma to fill a vacancy. Approved.
The following were elected as tellers on the Committee on Ways and
Means: Mahoney of New York, Lfewis of Oklahoma, Taite of Pennsylvania.
Renner of Michigan.
The Executive Secretary, Adolph Germer, made his report, copy of
which has been distributed to delegates.
Motion by Oppenh^imer of New York that the report of the Executive
Secretary be received and open for action. Carried.
y,»^Comrade Oppenheimer took the floor to discuss report.
f Gerber of New York jaised point of order that Coijirade Oppenheimer
.#is not talking the point. Chair ruled that Oppenheimer's time had expired.
^ Higgins of Pennsyvania moved that Oppenheimer be permitted to
talk 5 minutes longer.
\ Oneal of Massachusetts moved that in as much as the whole matter
will come up later under the various committee reports, that this report
of National Secretary be referred to the various committees for considera-
tion. Chair declared this out of order.
Diehl of Illinois moved to suspend the rules provided for a five minute
Vlimit.
Bloom of Massachusetts moved that the entire matter be referred to
le proper committees, and that they report to convention. Carried.
Tellers for Platform Committee reported that Committee on Platform
was elected as follows: Oneal 114, Millard 93, Barnes 88, Stanwood 76,
Lore 71, Thomas 71, Cameron King 70, Patterson 65.Murray King 65.
The vote for the other candidates was'as follows: Mitchell 50, White
49 Gillespie 46, Keracher 41. Ravia 31, Sugar 29, McCone 51, Gregory 58,
Oppentieimer'59, Krafft 30, Thorn 29, Gobell 5 9,- Howe 61, Fairchild 54,-
Owens 49, Collins 53. \
Moore of Oklahoma moved that S. W. Sample of Oklahoma be seated
as additional delegate from his state. Carriea.
• 17
The Unfversity of Iowa
LIBRARIES
i.
THIRD DAY, Morning Session.
Monday, ApHl 9, 1917.
Conveution called at 9 a. m. by the Chair.
Following were nominated for Chairman of the Day: McDonaii of
mmois (declined); Millard of Kentucky (declined); Jos. Cannon of New
York (accepted); Sheehan of New York (accepted; Seidel of Wisconsin
(declined); Goebel of New Jersey (absent); Oppenheimer of New York
declined); Renner of Michigan (accepted); Barnes of Pennsylvania
(absent); Brandt of Missouri (declined);
By a vote of 71 Joa. Cannon was elected Chairman. — Six votes were
cast for Sheehan and 4 8 for Renner.
The following were nominated for Vive-Chairman: Renner of Michi-
gan (declined); Cumbie of Oklahoma (accepted); Baker of Ohio (accept-
ed); Millard of Kentucky (declined. By a vote of 76 to 23 Baker was
elected.
Wisconsin delegation reported that Buech of Wisconsin arrived this
morning, and was recorded as delegate.
Kansas delegation reported that Ella Baldwin of Kansas City was
present and the latter was seated in place of Phil Gallery who had not
arrived.
The secretary proceeded with roll call.
Biedenkapp of New York moved that this Convention send a telegram
either to the Mayor of New York or the Governor of New York requesting
that the authorities as such give their stand or permission to continue
holding street meetings, protesting against the actions committed in
Queens last Friday.
Motion was ruled out of order on account of motion of yesterday to
adjourn immediately following roll call.
It was moved and seconded that the Convention be adjourned Con-
vention adjourned at 10 o'clock, to reconvene at 2:30 p. m.
X
THIRD DAY, Afternoon Session.
Monday, ApHl 9, 1917.
Meeting called to order at 2:30 p. m. by Chairman Cannon.
Telegrams read by Reading Clerk Millard as follows:
From Paterson, N. J., and Russian Branch No. 4, Chicago ur-ing
lagainst war; from Adele Seltzer, New York, urging the election of a
National Woman's Committee and National Woman's Secretary and agita-
mtn among women; from Anne and Austin Montany, same as above"
from Rochester. N. Y., Local, Socialist Conference of Russian Immigrants'
Jewish Branch, Rochester. N. Y._, G. A. Gneizer. West Virginia, all against
war; from Selma McCone, Portland. Ore., commending action of conven-
tion so far; from Douglas. P. K. "Yipaels." sending greetings to Conven-
tion; Branch 251, Workmen's Circle, Providence, R. I., and West Side Y
P. S. L., Chicago, 111., against war.
Comrade W. F. Kruse then read the report of the Y. P. s' L copy of
which has been distributed to the delegates. "'
Motion by Diehl of Illinois that the report of the Y. ?. S. L. Depart,
ment be received and that the recommendations proposed by. Comrade
JCruse be concurred in. Motion withdrawn by Diehl.
The Chairman then referred the report of the Y. P. S. L. Department
to the Committee on Organization.
Motion by WiUiama of California that the reports of the N. E C
American Socialist, and Foreign Speaking Federations be referred to the
proper committees by the Chairman without reading.
Amendment by Goebel of New Jersey that, the report of the N. E. C.
be referred to the proper standing committees without reading.
Change accepted by Williams of California.
Substitute motion by Holland of Illinois that the report of the Na-
tional Executive Committee be read. Carried.
^ Comrade John M. Work read tbe report for the N. E, C:, a copy of
^ Tvhich has been distributed to each delegate-
Report -was received and referred to proper committees.
Comrade Adolph Dreifuss. read the report of the Foreign-Speaking
A, Federation, copies of which have been supplied to all delegates,
Report referred to proper committees by the Chairman.
Motion by Leonard of New Hampshire that report on American So-
cialist be deferred until arrival of Comrade .Engdabl from Chicago who
had to leave the city to get out the next edition of the American Socialist.
Motion carried.
Comrade Spargo reported on the Non-Partisan League of North Da-
X '<ota and various other States, copies of which were distributed among the
delegates.
Holland from Illinois moved that before this report be referred to a
committee or accepted by the Convention that the delegates from North
and South Dakota be asked to give their personal observations on this mat-
ter. To permit Comrade Spargo to withdraw.
Then followed questions by delegates upon different phases of the
work of the Non-Partisan League, Tvhich were answered by Comrade
Spargo.
Stafford of Minnesota fnoved that Comrade Spargo be excused from
I'lirtjjier answering questions. Carried.
Motion by Gaylord of Wisconsin that this matter be referred to the
Constitution and Organization Committee. Carried.
A motion was made to seat Max Goldfarb from the Jewish Socialist
['federation as fraternal delegate. Carried. ,
Telegram, addressed to Ed Owens, from Moline I!l.. urging action
against war. Referred to War and Militarism- Committee.
Motion by Sheehan of New -York that James Larkin be given the
privilege of addressing the Convention. Comrade Larkin addressed the
Convention on the great urgency and importance of Mooney et al. cases in
California, urging an Investigation of the entire prosecution.
Motion made by Solomon of New York that we adjourn until to-mor-
row morning at 9 o'clock. Carried..
Convention adjourned at 5:07. '
''^'^^^^** GEORGE E. ROEWER., JR., Secretary.
FOURTH DAY SESSION.
Tuesday Morning.
April 10, 1917.
The following were
A
03
Meeting called to order by Chairman Cannon at 9,15.
nominated for chairman of the day:
Howe of Illinois — accepted.
Collins of Colorado — accepted.
Strieff of Oregon — declined.
. Stump of Pennsylvania — declined.
By a vote of 57 for Howe and 40 for Collins, Howe was declared elected
chairman.
The following were nominated for Vice-chairman:
Collins of Colorado — declined.
Adams of Minnesota — declined.
Oppenheimer of New York— accepted.
Seidel of Wisconsin — declined.
Comrade^ Oppenheimer being the only nominee to accept, he was elected
Vice-Chairman by acclamation.
The Secretary then proceeded to call the roll.
The name of Julian Pierce, District of Columbia, omitted on printed roll
call, was added. He has thus far been, present at all sessions of the conven-
tion.
The following telegrams were read by Reading Cleark Willard:
From San Francisco, imprisoned labor leaders sending greeting to Con-
vention.
Prom Jewish Socialist Br., of Cleveland; the league to oppose conscrip-
tion; K. Kranz, New York, urging action against war.
From J. Eades Howe.
Telegrams were distributed to proper committees.
Comrade Engdahl reported on the American Socialist; copies of report
.will be distributed to delegates later.
Motion by StreifE of Oregon that the report be referred to proper com-
mittee. Carried.
Krafft, of New Jersey, moved that the publishers of the American Socialist
hold a conference with all the state secretaries present here, pertaining to
the matter of starting state editions of the American Socialist. Carried.
Motion by Stafford, of Minnesota, that we hear tiie report of the Com-
mittee on Banking. Carried.
Karl F. M. Sandberg, of Illinois, made the Majority Additional Report,
copies of which were distributed to delegates.
Mi'lard, of Kentucky, read the Minority Report, prepared by Lucien
Sanial.
Diacussion then followed in which delegates asked questions of Sand-
berg on various phases of the report.
Motion by Hedden, of Michigan, that Comrade Sandberg be excused
from answering any further questions. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Motion by Biedenkapp. of New York, that the Convention send a tele-
Mi am to the mayor of New York protesting against th.e unlawful action qi
tlip ii.ithorities in suppressing a Socialist meeting in Queens County NeW
Vtirlt.
Amended by Higgins, of Pennsylvania, that the Convention send a tele-
n.ain to the President of the United States protesting against suppression
lit ritui speech in America.
t'hunge accepted by Biedenkapp, of New York.
Motion by Cannon, of New York, that the matter be referred to the
ititlttee on Resolutions,
A division was asked for on this motion, and the motion was defeated
Ity II vote of 67 against 34.
Motion by Higgins was carried.
Comrade Howe, of Illinois, took the floor to discuss minority report of
I'liiiiinittee on Banking.
Adams, of Minnesota, raised point of order Comrade Howe was taking
'" ''^"-^ alloted time, and on further objection by Meissner, of Montana,
' li.ilr ruled point well taken. Chair ordered both reports on banking re'
iMtriMl to Committee on Platform, under the rules.
Motion by Millard, of Kentucky, that the Standing Committee be con-
Mmi.id on Banking and Currency and Credits, and shall submit its linal
• ••port 'to the next regularly constituted convention of the Party.
Amendment by Green, of New Jersey, that this majority report be printed
(11 (tiiillcient numbers and distributed to the delegates.
Hubstitate by Sample, of Oklahoma, that this entire matter be referred
"" u new committee to be elected by this convention.
Motion by Bloom, of -Massachusetts, that the entire matter be laid on
ill" tjtl)le. Motion carried.
Motion by Adams, of Minnesota, that this convention listen to the reports
■ •I iiiiy standing committees that may b^ ready to report.
Motion by Lulow, of New York, that secretaries be instructed to send the
Inl.'Kram to the President. Motion carried.
following telegram sent at 11:25 a. m.:
St. Louis, April 10, 1917.
I It I II Woodrow Wilson,
Washitifeton, D. C. , ■
(Constituted authorities in various sections of the country are suppressing
»lm right of free speech and assemblage by preventing the holding of.meet-
IHKH called to protest against war and militarism; Socialist Party National
Toiivention, assembled in St. Louis, enters its protest against this procedure
mill urges you to see ,to it that constitutional rights are preserved and the
tnwH faithfully executed. . -
- GEORGE E. ROEWER, Jr..
Secretary.
The Convention took a recess of five minutes, by order of Chair.
Comrade Chas. C. Fenner, of Massachusetts, reported for Committee on
Ways end Means, copies of which were distributed to delegates.
Comrade Meissner, of Montana, took the floor to explain his objection to
III" recommendation of the committee as to the proposal that a special as-"
•■V""ent of 50 cents be levied upon the membership.
o
o
o
Motion made by Gerber, of New York, that the recommendations of the
committee be taken up seriatim. Motion carried
Amendment by Gerber, of New York, on first recommendation of the
committee: That this assessment be payable in two installments of 25
cents, to be paid within six, months.
Motion by Cumbie, of Oklahoma, that the auestion be divided as to
whether or .not we are going to adopt the assessment of 50 cents at all
Carried.
Motion by Goebel, of New Jersey, that we make assessment of $1 00 in-
stead of 50 cents, as provided in first recommendation of the committee ^^^^
Oppenheimer. of New York, moved that Committee on Resolutions make a^v.
partial report, providing Committee on War and Militarism is not ready to
report at conclusion of action on report of Ways and Means Committee.
Time of Adjournment having arrived, the Convention adjourned until
FOURTH DAY, APRIL 10, 1917.
Tuesday Afternoon Session.
Convention called to order by Chairman Howe at 2:30 p. m.
Motion by McKeown, of Pennsylvania, that the National Executive Com-
mittee be instructed to compile a statement of the total indebtedness of the
National Organization, including the expenses of the Emergency Convention,
and apportion same to the respective state organizations on the basis of
their present membership, and that each state organization be requested to
make final report and payment within ninety days.
Amended by Work, of N. E. C, that the word "requested" in above motion
be stricken out and the word "required" subsitiuted.
The mover of the motion accepted the amendment.
Previous motion was called for by Lacher, of Minnesota.
The substitute motion was carried.
Motion by Soloman, of New York, that action on second recommendation
be delayed until we hear from the Constitution Committee. Carried.
Motion by Knopfnagel that we concur in the second recommendation.
Point of order by Gerber, of New York, that this is out of order. Point
of order sustained by Chair.
Motion by Cumbie, of Oklahoma, that the third recommendation be laid
on the table carried by a vote of 67 to 40.
Motion by Strieff, of Oregon, that the National SecreUry be instructed
by this Convention to prepare either some red badges or buttons and have
printed on them in substance, that the holder has paid 50 cents or a dollar
to defray the expenses of the National Convention.
McKeowB., of Pennsylvania, raised point of order that.his substitute motion
put it up to the states to adopt such methods. Chair ruled point well taken.
Strieff appealrd from Chair. By a vote of 57 to 56 the Chair was sustained.
Comrade Prevey, of Ohio, reported for Committe on Resolutions, in part
as follows: -
1. On Tom Mooney case, urging congressional investigation, and re-
preive of Mooney pending said investigation. Carried unanimously.
j Mlt<
FOURTH DAY—EVENING SESSION. f
Tuesday, April 10, 1917.
Meeting called to order at 8:12 p. m. by Chairman Howe.
Comrade Prevey, of Ohio, reported for Committee on Additional Reso-
lutions as follows:
5. On Relation of Socialist Party to Non-Partisan League.
Motion by Collins, of Colorado, that Comrade LeSuer be given the floor
to speak on Non-Partisan League.
Motion by Seidel, of Wisconsin, that action on this resolution be deferred
hriLil Platform Committee is first heard. xMotion declared out of order by
■ liiiirman.
Moved that this resolution on Non-Partisan League be referred to Plat-
form Committee. N
Knopfnagel, of Illinois, moved that motion be tabled.
Williams, of California, raised the point of order that a motion to lay
-... table a motion to refer was out of order. The Chair refused to uphold
'I..' point of order and Chair was appealed from. By a vote of vote of 66
iiKiiinst 58 the Chair was not sustained.
Stafford, from Minnesota, raised point of order that this resolution
'^ "^'^ properly be referred to Platform Committee. Chair ruled point not
w«iii taken. * '
Solomon, of New Yorli, moved the previous question. Carried.
Barnes' motion to refer the question to Platform Committee was lost.
Stafford, of Minnesota, moved the previous question on the adoption of
Hie resolution. Carried.
Motion by Margaret Prevey, of Ohio, to adopt the resolution
Affirmative: Collins, Plunkett, Shea, McGuigan, Pierce, Pimbley
White, Berg, Berlyn, Castle, Diehl, Dreituss, Holland, Howe, Knopfnagel Lund-
MulHt. McDonald, Owens, Sandberg, Parmer, Henry, .lackman, Zimmermann
llnwraan, McCrillis, Metcalf, Jones, Shipley, Young,, Annala, Bloom Fenner'
tl.H.gh, Makela, Oneal, Schulze, Syryala, Farley, Foss, Hedden, Keracher'
KilH!,kila,_,Renner, Sugar, Westfall, Adams, Locher, Rastedt, Sahlman Staf-
r-r.I, Wassmg, Brandt, Grant, McEIroy. Leonard, Green, Krafft, Reilly Parks
'l..rKgren, Biedenkapp, Hilsdorf, Lore, I.ulow, xVoonan, Oppenheimer Pauly
Ituwltch. Sander, Sheahan, Solomon, Cannon, Loomis, Martinson, Baker Barn-
..nl. Clifford. Jodlbauer. Midney, Patterson, Prevey, Wagenknecht, Wllkins
''onley. Lewis, Moore, Nias, Oder, Johnson. Thompson. Thurmond Smith
VIrCone. Reivou. Adams, Clarke. Hayden, Higgins, McKeown, Ross. Wilson'
' <»l.lwell, Theinert.Tverson, Braun, Gregory, King, Stoney, Bonnevie. Herman.
ilouHe Katterfeld Maurer, Sadler, Thomas, Gillespie. Holt.— 114.
Negative: Barnette. Davenport, Fulks, King, McKee, Mills, Williams
WvMo.he, Coiily, Fields, Stewart, Kennedy, Wattles, Baldwin, Beloof, Kleihege!
MItrheil, Millard, Baker, Enernark, Marcus, Roewer, Vanderberg, Porter
2. Resolution on Everett Washington cases, demanding of congress a
federal investigation and instructing Meyer London to present this petition
to congress at the earliest possible moment, and to do all in his power to se-
cure favorable action. Carried.
3. Resolution congratulating Meyer London for services in -congress in
opposing war and militarism, and for his persistent efforts to maintain peace
through arbitration and not through the abitrement by war.
Amended by Murray King, of Utah, that in the last paragraph of resolu-
tion the word "congratulate" be stricken out and the words "indorse the
action of" be substituted.
Lacher, of Minnesota, moved the previous question. Chair ruled motion
out of order.
Motion by Gerber. of New York, that the resolution be referred back to
the Resolutions Committee, Carried.
4. Resolution approving the work of the Young People's Socialist League.
Carried unanimously.
Motion by Lulow, of New York, that when we adjour this afternoon, we do
so to meet again this evening at 7:30 p. m.
Amendment by Duke, of Virgania, that when we adjourn, we do so to nieefr
tomorrow morning.
Amendment to the amendment by Oppenheimer, of New York, that we
adjourn now, to meet at 8 o'clock this evening.
By a vote of 82 to 24 the motion carried.
, Convention adjourned at' 3:45 p. m.
. GEORGE B. ROEWER, Jr.,
Secretary.
3
■0^^^^4*
Bausch, Goebel, Jones. Parks, Cannon, Gerber, Mahoney, Sheldon, Sample
Jones, Houchin. Russell. Sechrist, Stanwood, Tuttle, Strelff. Barnes Garber'
Myers, Stump. Tait, Thompson. Atwood. Butler, Fairchild, Sparge, Duke .Buech'
Evrzycki. Neilsen. Seidel, Thorn— 56. \
Many delegates explained their vote as follows: I vote "No" for the
following reasons:
First: Because it is not in accord with the principles and purposes of
our party in stating that "Its POWER resting MAINLY in its clear cut
specific declaration of political and economic principles rather than in the
number of votes cast for party candidates." In other words, let the Socialist
Party confine itself to the adoption of ringing, revolutionary platform and
resolutions, but leave .the actual offices or m^eans of political power to the
Non Partisan Leaguers. Our function, according to the resolution, is solelv
to till the soil of social ignorance and indifference, so that the Non-Partisan
League politicians can occupy the seats in the various Legislatures. This
of course, is just what the League wants to accomplish.
Secondly: Because it claims "the purpose of the Socialist movement
being the emancipation of .the working class from economic servitude by the
abolishment of the entire system of capitalist exploitation, RATH;ER THAN
IN THE ELECTION TO OFFICE OF CANDIDATES FOR THE PURPOSE
OF SPEEDY ECONOMIC REFORMS." (Capitals my own.) This proposal
negatives our whole program of immediate demands; it is against political
action; it is anarchistic in its tendency.
Thirdly: Because I am opposed to compromise or political trading with
any other or all other political parties or organizations, while this resolution
permits our individual members to support at the polls the candidates of the
Non-Partisan League, rather than to put forward at every election Socialist
Party candidates.
Fourth: Because this resolution was prepared by Arthur LeSeur, who
iKltnitted that he was the paid attorney of the League, and who at this moment
Ik not a delegate to this convention or a national officer in our party. The
N.m-Partisan League obviously desires that we refrain from putting candi-
dates in the field; obviously would be happy to have us pass ringing resolu-
tions; so long as they can have the offices or political power to advance their
own economic interests, but as for the working class itself having a voice in
the lav^making bodies of the States affected by the League— why, just refer
thorn to a beautifully printed "clear cut, specific declaration of political and
iM'onomic principles," and their conditions will immediately improve. I also
Voted "No" because I believe that this resolution represents the rankest piece
nr deception ever "put over" confi,ding comrades in the history of our party,
ImiI I do not believe that all members of the committee really appreciated the
|HlKnlflcance of their action.
(Signed) GEORGE E. ROEWER, JR..
. Massachusetts.
"We vote No on Liis resolution because it expresses the wishes of the
iNon-Partisan League, as voiced on the floor of the convention by the self-
[cotifeBsed paid attorney of the League itself. This seeks to make a propaganda
o
o
organization only of the Socialist party and to yield the political field to the
League itself. The Socialist Party should stancFfirmly as the politt al nartv
and spokesman of a.l groups of the working class. L this there should be
'no compromise, no political trading." ^"oum oe
(Signed) ELLA BALDWIN,
IDA BELOOF,
■ ■ G. W. KLEIHEGE,
MILO MITCHELL,
Kansas."
The undersigned, voting "yes" on the report of the Resolutions Com-
mittee m regard to the S. C. "Non-Partisan League," wish to exphiin that
m so doing their only object was to oppose fusion and political tra<ling and
they do not regard as a correct explanation of Socialist principles that' part
of the third paragraph, which begins with the words, "Now. therefore " and
up to and including the words, "rather than election to office of candi.iateB."
(Signed) GEORGE MAKi^LA,
F. J. SYRYALA,
, * VICTOR ANNALA.
Massachusetts.
"H. E. Myers of Pennsylvania wishes to be recorded as agreeing with
tlie sense of the resolution on the relation of the Socialist Party to the Non-
partisan League, but not with certain statements contained therein."
(Signed H. E. MEYERS,
Pennsylvania.
"While opposed to any fusion of the Socialist Party with any other politi-
cal party, I object to the false declaration of the resting place of Socialist
power contained in this resolution."
(Signed) C. W. THOMPSON,
Pennsylvania.
"I voted 'no' on this resolution because the chairman of the committee
admitted on the floor of the convention that Arthur Le Sueur, a paid employe
of the Non-Partisan League, had made the original draft of the resolution-
that Mr. Le Sueur, in defending the resolution from the floor, urged the mem-
bers of the Socialist Party to make no special effort to elect men to office-
that whenever men are elected to office they become reactionary
"The resolution as thus drafted by Mr. Le Sueur is a covert political
trick to advance the Non-Partisan League; to place the Socialist Party in
an unfortunate position. It is an inconsistent, unscientific, meaningless jumble
of phrases and unbecoming an intelligent body of students of soeiologj-."
(Signed) THOMAS W. WILLIAjMS,
California.
"I voted 'yes' on the above named resolution because I adhere to the
uncompromising position o fthe Socialist Party, but the imperfect construc-
tion and phrasing of the resolution leaves much to be desired. T did not feel
justified in voting 'no' because of the crudity of the composition."
(Signed) VICTOR J. McCONE.
Oregon.
^0
(Signed) PATRICK J. LEONARD
pani'irir: s:„.'t srai::. ;;r^s iv^^ "' '-= •'°-
propaganda organisation of the SociaHsrp»«; .!, , , '"""^ '° """'^ ^
rruta „, their e«„rts to the llfgrll i^'^het a[ist Pa\T/sru,°r' "^
make a compromise or fusion of this sort „r Wn^ .f l °''™"'
ana nncon,pron.ising„ as the po.m^aTsr.Ian "ofthfwfrg Sss"'."™'"
(Signed) ALBERT STREIPF,
"r vote 'no' because these resolutions express thP xvi.h.. f ?r^^.?"
Partisan League itself, as stated by its attorney Thi \) ° '^" '^°"-
make a propaganda organization only o the So falls! pLtTI^Tt '•"!:' I'
political field to the League itself. ^The s:cSj;:';L;^lU?:7tf L^S
a compromise of that sort. It should stand firmly as itsel the noimoJ
spokesman of the working class." political
(Signed) WALTER THOMAS MILLS,
"While I disagree with the phraseology of the resolution and'^rmini
mizmg of the importance of political action in our campaign for education
and Class solidarity, which may create a good deal of misunderstanding and
confusion and open way for anarchistic elements to parade L sSaii ts and
hus misrepresent our movement and method. I am voting for the reso utlon
hTNoop'r " '' ""^' ^"^'^^*^"^ *° ^^'^^ ^ <^efinite,'negative stand on
State, wh^'"'' ^"^'^^"*' "^-^ *^"^ -^°"^--»-« «u^ comrades in the various
fT'Z^ 1^" ''^"''' '''"' '' '''' ^^''^ ""^ ^^^^hstood the onslaught o
the middle class movement." ^laugui. oi
(Signed) S. HOLLAND,
"T -rr^.-ov, +„ T, , , ' Illinois.
I wish to be recorded as voting 'no' on resolution on "The Relation nf
the socialist Party to the National Non-Partisan League." because I am no
satisfled.with the wording of the resolution, although^ am in SlrtyTgree
meat with the spirit of the resolution in condeming fusion with the National
IN on-Partisan League.
: ' (Signed) JANE W. TAIT,
"f „„f^ .V . ^u Pennsylvania.
[ vote No on the resolution on the Non-Partisan League, because I
heheve the phraseology is too loosely drawn to be specific. Especially is this
-rue of the last phrase. 'The social revolution, not political office, etc ' which
cnsts the reflection upon the Socialist Party that it is not in existence tcy
obtain political power. There is also the phrase,. 'its power resting mainly in
Its clear cut, specific declaration of political and economic principles
"This I hold to be the intrusion of the fatal belief that ideas work them-
i^elves out. whereas I believe the fundamental fact is that the ideas of the
4
O
.0. deaiwth the issue Lert!" '"°"'"°° '^ ^"^°^= '"'™-"°''>- '-
(Signed) WALTER MILr.AlU),
"In explanation of my vote aeain^t th^ v i ^- Kentucky.
Socialist Partv tn th. v T "^'^J^^.^^^'^^t ^^^ Resolution on Relation of the
socialist Party to the National Non-Partisan League-
to the Socialist Party dealing with the Non-Partisan L;ague or 7 T^
member of the party being a candidate on the Non-Partisan League ticket r
must vote against the resolution because of unsocialistic itZT^ ' ;, '
a mxure of Syndico-anarchistic middle class populism, spiced by ' w ,,( >^
revoiu .onary phrases, which are meaningless, senseless and belitt iu^
agrs'hLroiuTio:-.^^"^"^^ "^^"^^"' ^^^' - ^ -^^--- -'■
(Signed) JULIUS GERBKlt.
..T . I, . , ^6w York.
relatiLTNonPrr "V'^' '''''''"' "^^^'^ ^^^^"^ ^^^'^^^ ^^•^"l""""
relating to .N on-Partisan League.
"1. Becaue of its phraseology.
-'2. Because it was drafted, not by the committee, but by a man room
senting the Non-Partisan League." - " i- oj a man ropin
(Signed) H. J. P. ENE.MARK,
Delegate W N. Reivo, of Oregon, begs to be recorded as approfinrth.
To^t- rpri'cUr "^"^"^^^ ^^^"^^ '-'- -' - - ^ ----";
"In explanation of my vote on resolution dealing with Non-Partisan
irr"e^o:;;i;^Vuti d '^ "" ^^^^^-^ °^ ^^^ ^^---^ - ^e:::::::!:-::
(Signed) JOS. D. CANNON,
New York,
I am against the phraseology of the resolution relating to the No,,.
Partisan League, though I voted 'yes.'"
(Signed) MAX LULOW,
New York.
I am absolutely opposed to the expulsion of comrades who parti.ipu,.
in non-partisan elections. Such action is directly an attack upon the stabilltv
Of the Socialist Party and decidedly reactionary in its ultimate results." "
(Signed) FLORENCE WATTLES,
"T ^r„*„^ i , X. " Indiana.
I ^'> fd no because this resolution is not in accord w;th democratic
oocialism.
(Signed) STEPHEN J. MAHONEY,
' * New York.
5 ' ■
^•I voted 'no; because the language of the resolution is Incomplete.
,.avored referring to Platform Committee." ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^_
New Jersl^y.
»T vote 'no- on this resolution for the following reasons: First while
,., j;;r uA,. an. .... US -rrjr ;n',rr rr.
;;;Sarit'::i'r'Lri r;:; :=;. . n.. ... .„. w... we
,an pass judgment." (Signed) JOHN SPARGO,
Vermont.
..X vote. .0.- .ecuse re^CuUo. --, >— f ^ ----;rArscr "
New Jersey. •
..I vote 'no.- because I oWect to the language and because by methods
„sed no genuine opportunity was given Jo ™--i;^^^^^ „ ^O^gEL.
New Jersey.
"I declined to vote, as I do not believe the resolution at all clear in
expression." (Signed) J. T. CUMBIE,
Oiilahoma.
..X„, Because the resolution can be n,ade ^^^-^^^'^^^^^^^^^
Wisconsin.
.'To me the roll call vote upon this resolution was clearly a vote for
.Tf'n^Tnc. with a non-revolutionary political party of farmers, which,
or against fusing with a no^ republicans and democrats to
1': E^eTy revolXn'ary Socianst who voted for this resolution, al-
office. Every ^evolutio y^ expression, voted in spirit lor no
Tulf ;o r^p™n:rsrhrs rr. to .xplain away, for to him the Socia.
ist Party, is too dear to be sold out. ^^_^^^^^ ^ WAGENKNECHT,
Ohio.
FIFTH-DAY SESSION.
Wednesday Morning, April 11, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Howe, at 9:25.
The following were named for chairmen of the day.
Mahoney, of New York— accepted.
Ruthenberg, of Ohio— accepted.
Collins, of Colo.— accepted.
- McDonald, of 111.— (on committee).
Williams, of Cal.— accepted. .
Krafft, of New Jersey— accepted.
- Hillquit. of New York— declined.
G
o
O ;c
Oneal, of Mass. — declined.
Goebel, of New Jersey — declined.
Millard, of Ky.— declined. ^■
By a vote of 58 Ruthenberg was elected chairman, against 42 for Mahoney,
14 for Collins, 15 for Williams, 4 for Krafft.
The following were nominated for vice-chairman:
Knopfnagel, of 111. — accepted.
Mahoney, of New York — accepted.
Clark, of Pa. — declined.
Cannon, of New York — declined.
McDonald, of 111, — accepted.
Fairchild, of South Dakota — accepted.
Williams, of Cal. — declined.
Kleihege, of Kansas — declined.
By a vote of 95 McDonald was elected vice-chairman, against a vote of
34 for Knupfnagel and 7 for Fairchild.
Motion by Bloom, of Massachusetts, that Comrade Hillquit's time be ex-
tended to 20 minutes. Motion withdrawn.
The following telegrams were read by Reading Clerk Millard:
From Yonkers, New York, Local opposing war.
Frof Local, Portland, Oregon, urging expulsion from Party of Chas. E.
Russell.
From John P. Burke, president International Brotherhood Paper Mill
Workers, urging nationwide weekly distribution of literature.
From Nashville Socialists opposing conscription.
Communication from 23rd ward branch, Chicago, referred to Committee
on War and Militarism.
Motion by Zimmerman, of Indiana, that in the debate to follow on the
report of the Committee on War and Militarism, the Chair shall recognize
one on each side of the question.
This motion was ruled out of order by Chair.
Comrade Kate Richards O'Hare then proceeded to report for the Com-
mittee on War and Jlilitarism, copies of which reports have been distributed
to delegates.
Motion by Leonard, of New Hampshire, that greetings to the Finnish Diet
and Russian Duma be adopted. Carried.
Comrade Hillquit submitted majority report for the committee. '^
A motion made by Hillquit that the majority report of the conmiittee be
adopted.
Comrade Boudin then took the floor to present a minority report. ^
Minority report was offered by Comrade Boudin as an amendment to the
majority report. -
Comrade John Spargo, of Vermont, then took the floor to submit a
fninority report of the committee.
Motion made by Spargo that his minority report be substituted for the
whole.
Motion made by Patterson, of Ohio, that every member of the Committee
-/•
• « f
FIFTH DAY SESSION.
Wednesday Evening, April 11, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Ruthenberg at 8:05.
Motion by Collins of Colorado that we accept the names of those who
ilcsire to speak on the various resolutions and that the Chair call them In
Hie order in which they come to him. Motion carried.
The following took the floor to continue the discussion on report of
I'oramittee on War and Militarism:
A. Neibert of the Lettish Federation; A. Wagenknecht of Ohio; Moses
Oppenheimer of New York; Wm. F. Kruse of the Y. P. S. L,.; Meissner of
Montana; Cannon of New York; Germer of Illinois; Johnson of Oklahoma;
riarke of Pennsylvania; Sandberg of Illinois; Biedenkaff of New York.
N. Solomon of New York moved the previous question.
By a vote of 87 in favor and 60 opposed, the motion carried.
Comrades Spargo, Hillquit and Boudin were given five minutes each
to finish the debates. ,
Motion to have a roll call vote on the adoption of the reports was
amended by Boudin of New York that each report be voted on separately.
The amendment was lost by a vote of 72 opposed and 56 in favor.
Motion by Biedenkapp that when the vote is announced we adjourn
imtil tomorrow at 9 o'clock. Carried.
A motion by Solomon of New York that we reconsider the action taken
mi the resolution concerning the Non-Partisan League.
The vote on the reports of the Committee on War and Militarism re-
united as follows:
The following voted for the majority report as a basis:
Arizona— Barnette, Davenport.
Arkansas — Pulks.
California — Harriman, King, Mills,
Colorado — Collins, McGehe. I
Connecticut— Plunkett, Shea. ■
District fif Columbia — Pierce.
Florida — -Pimbley.
Georgia — Millis.
Idaho— Conly, Fields, Stewart.
Illinois — Berlyn, Castle, Diehl, Holland, Kennedy, McDonald.
Indiana — Henry, Jackman, Wattles, Zimmermann.
Iowa — Bowman, McCrillla, Metcalf.
Kansas — Baldwin, Beloof, Kleihege, Mitchell.
Kentucky — Millard. ''
Louisiana^-Jones.
Maine — Baker, Enemark,
Maryland — Shipley, Young.
Massachusetts — -Annala, Bloom, Fenner, Hough, Makela, Marcus, O'Neal,
Koewer, Syrala.
W
' i
H
i
on War and Militarism who desires to do so be permitted at least 5 nilmiitvt
previous to opening it for debate by the Convention.
By a vote of 67 to 66 the motion was lost. ^
Comrade Hillquit then took the floor on majority report.
Meeting adjourned at 12:;35 p. m,, under the rules.
FIFTH DAY SESSION.
Wednesday Afternoon, April 11, 1917.
Meeting called to order at 2:38 by Chairman Ruthenberg.
Telegram was read from Eugene V. Debs, sending greetings to Conven-
tion and urging action against war.
Comrade Maynard Shipley took the floor on point of perHonal iirlvilt^ge
to repudiate remarks made by Comrade John Spargo conticrnliiK Slilploy'n
position on the War and Militarism Committee.
The discussion on pending reports was resumed and was iiai(l(lpiiti'<l hi
by Comrades Harrinan, Benson, Renner, of Michigan (motion by HlllquU,
extended Benson's time five minutes), Mahoney, of New York. Prnvey, of
Ohio.
A point of order was raised by Williams, of California, that lie had l)i'rii
recognized by the Chair; made a motion, which was seconded, to subslilulr
Benson's statement on War as a substitute for pending reports, and dial
he then recognized some other delegate.
Vice-chairman McDonald assumed the Chair. Appeal was stated. Chair
was sustained,
Gaylord, of Wisconsin, raised question whether or not substitute resolu-
tion on war for reports already submitted could be made. Chair ruled that
this was not in order and ruling was appealed from. Vice-Chairman McDonald
assumed chair; the appeal was stated and Chair was sustained.
The Chair ruled that when we come to a vote we shall decide as to
which of the three reports shall serve as a basis for further discussion, and
then the report so accepted shall be subject to amendment by the body.
Williams, of California; Bloom, of Massachusetts; Zimmermann ,o! Indi-
ana; Hoehn, of Missouri; Holt of West Virgina; Castle, of Illinois; McKeown,
of Pennsylvania; Sadler, of Washington (Motion by Goebel to extend Saddler's
ume five minutes. Motion Carried.); Beloof, of Kansas; Krafft, of New
Jersey; Knopfnagel, of Illinois; Porter, of Nebraska; Kate Richards O'Hare
(Motion by Strieff, of Oregon, that Comrade O'Hare be given five minute
more)time. Carried); Coldwell, of Rhode Island, continued the discussion of
the reports of the committee.
Motion by Gerber, of New York, that the Convention proceed to vote as
to which of the three reports shall be the basic report of the Convention.
Motion lost by a vote of 70 to 70, Chair casting deciding vote against.
Tom Clifford, of Ohio, took the floor to further discuss the report.
Motion by Coldwell, of Rhode Island, that when we adjourn, we do so to
re-convene at 8 p. m.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p. m. GEORGE E ROEWER, Jr.,
Secretary.
■ . - ■ 8 " ■; . '
y ' \> U
Michigan — Sugar, Westfall (one-half vote).
Minnesota— Adams, Locher, Haley, Rastedt, Sahlman, Stafford, Vanden-
linrK, Waasing. j-
Missouri — Brandt, Hoehn, O'Hare.
New Hampshire — Leonard.
New Jersey — Bausch, Goebel, Green, Jones, Krafft, Quinlan, Reilly.
New Mexico — Parks.
New York — Cannon, Gerber, Hillquit, Hilsdorf, Lee, Mahoney, Noonan,
Nlinder, Sheehan, Solomon.
North Dakota— Loomis, Martinson.
Ohio — Baker, Clifford, Midney, Patterson, Prevey, Ruthenberg, Wagen-
knwoht.
Oklahoma — Conley, Cumbie, Sample, Jones, Houchin, Lewis, Moore, Nias,
Odtr, Stair, Stan wood, Johnson, Thompson, Thurmond, Tuttle, Smith.
Oregon — McCone, Reivou, Streiff.
Pennsylvania — Adams, Barnes, Clarke, Garber, Hayden, Hlggins,
MnKeown, Myers, Ross, Stump, Tait, Thompson, Wilson.
South Dakota— Atwood (i/^ vote), Butler (^ vote), Cotton (,^A vote).
Tennessee — Braun.
Utah — King.
Washington — Bonnevie, Herman. House, Katterfield, Maurer.
West Virginia — Gillespie, Holt.
Wisconsin — Berger, Buech, Krzcki, Mielsen, Seidel.
The following voted for the minority report presented by Comrade Boudin
km a basis: *
Delaware — McGuigan.
Illinois — Berg, Dreifuss, Howe, Knopfnagel, Lundquist, Owens.
Massachusetts — Schulze.
Michigan—Earley, Foss, Hedden (Vs vote)), Keracher, Kiskila, Renner,
Montana — McEIroy, Meissner.
New Mexico— Dillon.
New York — Berggren, Biedenkapp, Boudin, Lore, Oppenheimer, Pauly,
iHowltch.
North Dakota — Sheldon.
Ohio — Jodlbauer, Wilkins.
Oklahoma — Russell.
Rhode island — Coldwell, E. W. Theinert.
South Dakota — Iverson (% vote).
Washington — Sadler.
The following voted for the minority report presented by Comrade Spargo
Inn tlio basis:
Nebraska — Porter.
Oklahoma — Sechrist.
Vermont — Spargo, ^ * .
Wisconsin — Gaylord, Thorn.
(Comrade Spless, Connecticut, wished to be recorded as not voting.
The following Comrades were either on committee work or absent when
Itin roll was called;
California— McKee, Williams.
2 ;..■■'
/
Q
Q
3
Florida — White,
Illinois — Sandberg. ^ -^
Indiana — Farmer.
Alabama — Connolly. "
New York — Benson, Lulow.
Ohio — Bannard.
Tennessee — Gregory.
Texas — Simpson.
•Utah — Stoney.
Wyoming — Bateman, Paterson.
Comrade Thomas, Washington, stated that, owing to having been all day
on committee work, he had not had an opportunity to read the various reports
and had heard none of the discussion thereon. He asked the privilege of
having his vote recorded later, and there was no objection to this.
(Note by J. M. Reilly, Assistant Secretary— Up to ll:Oo p. m.. Comrade
Thomas had not recorded his vote with me.)
140 for majority report, 31 for the Boudin report and 5 for the Spargo
report. .
The majority report was accepted as the basis for further discussion.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15.
GEORGE E. ROEWER, JR.,
. Secretary.
SIXTH DAY SESSION.
Thursday Morning, April 12, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Ruthenberg at 9:15 a. m.
Following were nominated for chairmen:
McDonald, of 111. (absent); Sadler, of Wash, (accepted); Lugar, of Mich,
(accepted); Goebel, of New Jersey (accepted); Collins, of Colo, (accepted).
By a vote of 67, Sadler was elected chairman, against 27 votes for Goebel;
1 vote for Lugar; no votes for Collins.
The following were nominated for vice-chairman: Goebel, of N. J. (de-
clined); Shipley, of Ind. (accepted); Prevey, of Ohio (declined); Collins,
of Colo, (declined); Paterson, of Ohio (declined); Renner, of Mich, (ac-
cepted); McEIroy, of Mont, (accepted); Barnett, of Ariz, (declined); Gerber,
of N. Y. (declined).
By a vote of 61, Shipley was elected vice-chairman against a vote of 9
for McEIroy; and 23 for Renner.
The following telegrams were read by reading clerk Willard: From
Rock Island Branch, Moline Branch, East End Branch, East Moline Branch,
Silver's Branch, Hampton Branch, Russian Brancli, Lithuanian Branch, Italian
Branch, all of East Moline, 111., urging action on an uncompromising program.
From Branch 3, S. P., Providence, R. I., sending greetings and best wishes.
From J. Eads How, Wash., D. C, urging Party to demand of Congress that
Meyer London be sent on mission to the people of Germany.
From Lithuanian Federation, Socialist Party, Phila., urging conventions
to stand firmly by principles of International Socialism.
• Comrade Job Harrlman presented a letter from Tom Mooney.
6
Howe of III., motion that debate close on the preamble of the majority
report and a vote be taken at 11 o'clock, that we then proceed to consider
the program and that we take a final vote at 12:30. 1
Motion by Dreyfuss, of 111., that we suspend the rule and that the num-
ber of amendments be not limited.
Motion by Prevey. of Ohio, to divide the questions. Accepted by mover
of the question.
Early of Okla., moved the previous question, which carried.
The motion was then put and by a vote of 65 in favor and 82 opposed
the motion to close debate at 11 o'clock was lost.
Comrade Sandberg, of 111., offered a substitute for the basic report. The
Chair ruled this out of order, and appeal was taken. Vice-Chairman Shipley
took the floor Appeal was stated. The Chair was sustained.
Motion by Nulland. of Ky.. that we now proceed to take up the majority
report seriatiim,. Carried.
Comrade Morris Hillquit took the floor to read the report for committee.
First paragraph offered by Katterfeld, of Wash., to add: "And to all wars,
offensive or defensive, prosecuted by a ruling class."
Amendment offered by Noonan, of New York, ^ "All wars, offensive or
defensive, declared and prosecuted by a ruling class."
Amendment to amendment offered by Ruthenberg. of Ohio, that we sub-
stitute for the words "a ruling class," a government representing the capitalist
class." Lost. '
Kennedy, of 111., moved the previous question. Carried.
Hillquit spoke in favor of the paragraph as originally put for five
minutes. Comrade Noonan, of New York, spoke for five minutes.
Lore, of New York, moved that a roll call vote be taken on the amend-
ment offered by Katterfeld. Motion carried, as follows:
Affirmative: Plunkett, Shea, Spies, McGuigan, Fields, Berg, Berlyn.
Diehl Dreifuss, Howe, Knopfnagel. Lundquist, Owens, Sandtaerg, Jackman,
Zimmermann, Metcalf, Young. Schulze. Earley. Hedden. Keracher, Renner.
Locher, Stafford. McElroy, Meissner, Quinlan. Berggren, Biedenkapp. Boudin,
Hilsdorf Lore, Lulow. Noonan. Pauly, Rowitch, Martinson. Baker, Clifford,
Jodlbauer, Midney Patterson, Prevey, Wakenknechf. "^'""'"h™ Hou e
Smith, Myers, Coldwell, Theinert, Iverson, Gregory, Bonnevie, Herman, House,
Katterfleld, Maurer, Sadler, Thomas. U \
Negative: Barnette, Davenport. Fulks. Hogan. Harriman King mils,
mUins McGehe Pierce, White, Millis. Conly, Stewart, Castle. Holland, Keu-
neT M Dona'd, Henry Wattles. Bowman, McCrillis. Baldwin, Beloof^ K.ei-
hege Mitchell. Millard, Jones, Baker. Enemark. Shipley, Anna la. Bloom,
Fenner Hough, Makela, Marcus, O'NeaU Roewer. Syryala, Kiishkila, Sugar,
Westfall Adams, Maley. Rastedt. Sahlman. Vanderberg. Wassing. Brandt,
Cannln Gerber Hillquit, Lee, Mahoney. Sander, Sheahan. Norteva. Loonus,
SoehnC^Ha^e.' Leonard. Goebel. Green. .Tones. Krafft. Reilly Dillon, Parks,
Ruthenberg Conley, Jones, Houchln. Lewis. Moore. Nias. Oder. Russell. Se-
Tist sTanwood, McCone. Reivou. Strelff. Adams. Barnes. Clarke. Garber.
Harden Higgins; McKeown. Ross, Stump. Talt. Thompson, Wilson. Butler,
4
/
u
Fairchild, Braun, King, Stoney, Duke. Gillisple, Holt, Berger, Buech, Krzycki.
Neilsan, Seidel. ** ^ , ^ rru
Not Voting: Porter, Oppenheimer, Atwood, Spargo, Gaylord, Thorn.
Absent: Connolly, Williams, Farmer, Foss, Bausch. Solomon, Sheldon,
Barnard, Wiikins, Thurmond, Simpson, Bateman, Paterson.
By a vote of 111 to 62 the amendment was lost..
Following comrades explained their vote:
"My reasons for voting yes: By instructions I was so instructed to op- ■
pose all wars of defense and offense. This amendment is in accord with the
Socialist International."
(Signed) WM. H. HILSDORF,
New York.
"Consider the amendment superffluous; would vote yes were it not cov-
ered in another section."
(Signed) I. T. STEWART, .
Idaho.
"Voted 'no' on Katterfeld amendment because the same point is covered
clearly in the fourth paragraph, and in phraseology better adapted to the pur^
pose in view." ' ^^.^^^^ SHIPLEY.
Maryland.
" vote 'no' on the amendment not because I am not opposed to all wars,
offensive or defensive declared and prosecuted in the interest of the capitalist
class, but because I consider this position fully stated in ^^^^^^^^ ^^'\'^^-
(Signed) ELD A B. CONLY,
Idaho.
"Opposed to the whole document. I do not feel that I can consistently
choose between the motion and the amendment. If I could consistently make
such choice I would vote for the amendment because it is definite and capa-
ble of only one interpretation, while the original language is ambiguous and
capable of any number of interpretations." ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^
Vermont.
-I vote -no' on this amendment, because It weakens the significance ot the
statement, and on,- attitude with refevence to the present war^ The an.end-
ment is meaningless, and lays us open to attack and accusation, that »e are
Tace at r* price people. Moreover, the amendment is superfluous, and ex-
p^ ses"n arunJrtnnate manner what was more strongly stated in secon
• ^rLrth paragraphs ot the -^^^^^-\;:^jx::::z:r:z.
ZT^ irJrrir^rrr-rthe^^eaTItruJe ot the w<,r.,h.
'r\: tree Hse„ frou. economic e.plolUt^ ^f^^ ^S^^HZ.
Illinois.
..we vote .yes. on tKe.au.endment » --/;---^; ^ .r tZ
rCatd 7Z:':t.:ZrjSZ .... .,^nn..nr .presented
.IS wars of defense' to repudiate the statement made by Morris Hillciuit in
I he point of order he raised against this motion, that the Convention, in its
previous action, had voted in favor of the principle that there may be c£pi-
Kilistic wars of defense which the workers might support. This statement
was also repudiated in the overwhelming vote of the Convention, upholding
I he ruling of the Chair that the point of order was not well taken."
(Signed) A. WAGBN^KXECHT,
• - Ohio.
C. E. RUTHEXBERG,
Ohio.
S. BONNEVIE,
Washington.
Mahoney of New York moved the adoption of the paragraph as originally
rcjported. Motion carried. Amendment to the rules of order affirmed by Cald-
well of Rhode Island that the rule of the Convention be rescinded insofar as
II provides for speeches on each side after tlie vote on the previous question.
Lost.
Motion by Patterson, of Ohio, for a suspension of the rules, as they pro-
vide for a roll call on the various paragraphs. Ruled by Chair out of order.
Tben followed consideration of second paragraph.
Amendment offered by Beidenkapp, of New York.
Comrade Hillquit, on a point of order, raised objections that Beidenkapp
was re-stating the same amendment that had just been voted on and lost.
The point of order was not well taken by Chair and Chair was appeled
from Vice-chairman Shipley took the chair. Appeal was stated and by a
vote of 77 to 62 the Chair was sustained.
Biedenkapp then continued to speak on his amendment, which was as fol-.
lows: To strike out the word "frankly" wliere it appears after the word
•been." Strike out the words "have been hypocritically represented as wars"
where it appears after words "aggression or."
An amendment to the amendment was offered by Sugar, of Michigan:
To insert before the word "classes' the word "ruling." and before the word
-masses" the word "subject," so' that the sentence, as amended, shall read:
'•Whether they have been waged as wars of aggression or wars of defense,
they have always been made by the ruling classes and fought by the subject
masses." ''Thiswas accepted by Beidenkapp. the mover of the motion.
Lulow, of New York, moved the previous question. Carried.
Biedenkapp, of New York, and Knopfnagel, of Illinois, asked to be re-
corded as voting "No" on the motion to adopt the first paragraph of the pre-
amble.
A roll call on this amendment was taken and resulted as follows:
Affirmative: Plunkett. Shea, Spies, McGuigan,. Fields, Stewart, Berg,
Castle Diehl Dreifuss, Howe, Knopfnagel, Lundquist, Owens, Sandberg, Zim-
mermann. Young, Earley, Heddea, Keracher. Renner, Sugar, Westfall, Adams,
I ocher Stafford McEiroy, Miessner, Berggren, Biedenkapp, Boudin, Irlilsdorf,
i ore Noonan, Oppenheimer, Pauly, Ro witch, Sheldon, Jodbauer. Ruthenberg,
Wagenknecht, Conley, Cumbie. Lewis. Oder. Russell, Stair, Thompson, Smith.
Myers, Caldwell, Theinert, Iverson, Fairchild one-half vote), Braun,
ti
'^w*^
^
f)
L/
s
i)
Gregory, Bonnevie, Herman, House, Katterfeld, Maurer, Sadler, Thonuis.
Negative: Barnette, Davenport, Fulks, HogSn, Harriman, King, Mills,
Collins, McGehe, Pierce, Millis, Conly, Berlyn, Holland. Kennedy, McDonald,
Henry, Jackson, Wattles, Bowman, McCrillis. Metcalf, Baldwin, Beloof Klei-
hege, Mitchell, Millard, Baker, Enemark, Shipley, Annala, Bloom, Fennor,
Hough, Makeia, Marcus, O'Neal, Roewer, Schultze, Syryala, Klishkila, Rastedt,
Sahlman, Vanderberg, Wassing, Brandt, Hoehn, O'Hare, Leonard, Goebel.
Green, Jones, Krafft, Quinlan, Reilly, Dillon, Parks, Cannon, Gerber, Hillquit,
Lee, Hahouey, Sander, Sheahan, Solomn, Norteva. Loomis, Martinson. Midney,
Patterson, Prevey, Jones, Moore, Nias, Sechrist, Stanwood, Johnson, Tuttle, Mc-
Cone, Reivou, Streiff, Adams, Barnes, Clarke, Garber, Hayden, Higgins, Mc-
Keown, Ross, Stump, Tait, Thompson, ■^Vilson, Atwood (one-half vote), Butler
(one-half vote). King, Stoney. Spargo, Duke.
Not Voting: White, Porter, Bauscli, Lulow.
Absent: Connolly. McKee, Williams, Farmer, Jones. Foss, Maley, Benson,
Baker, Barnard, Clifford, Wilkins. Houchin. Thurmond, Gaylord, Thorn.
By a vote of 105 to 63 this amendment was lost.
The paragraph as originally preseated was carried.
Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p. m.
SIXTH I>AY SESSION.
Thursday Afternoon, April 12, 1917.
Convention called to order at 2:30 p. m. by Chairman Sadler.
Motion by Herman, of Washingtoa, that we rescind our action of this
morning to consider seriatim the preamble on the report of the Committee
on War and Militarism, and that we now proceed to vote on the preamble
as a whole.
On a point of order, the motion was divided.
The motion to rescind our action of this morning was carried by a vote
of 65 to 47.
Vandenburg. of Minnesota, moved to adopt the report as a whole.
Amendment by Dillon, of New Mexico, that the preamble be voted on as a
whole.
Substitute submitted by Comrade Seidel, of Wisconsin, copies ot whuli
were distributed to the delegates.
ilotion by Spies of, Connecticut, that this substitute be tabeled. Carried.
Cannon, of New York, offered an amendment to paragraph I, by striking
out the sentences, "We, therefore, call upon the workers of all (countries to
refuse^ support to their governments in their wars. The wars of the contend-
ing national groups of capitalists are not the concern of the workers."
Comrade Richards O'Hare offered the following amendment to the fourth
paragraph^ After the sentence, "The only struggle whicli would jusiify the
workers in taking up arms is the great struggle of the working class of the
world to free itself from economic exploitation and po-litical oppression;" the
following: "And we particularly warn the workers against the snare and
delusion of so-called defensive warfare."
Berger, of Wisconsin, made a point of order that O'Hare s amendment
was out of order. Chair ruled point of order well taken.
Comrade Cannon's amendment being put, was lost.
Dillon accepted O'Hare's amendment in his motion, but objection to this
was raised by Goebel. ^ .i, f i
Motion by Hillquit that we proceed to take a vote and suspend the tules
to this extent, that after the preamble is adopted or the report is adopted,
O'Hare be recognized to make her amendment.
Chair accepted Hillquit's motion as her ruling. To this ruling Ruthen-
berg, of Ohio, raised point of order that motion was out of order, and Chair
ruled point well taken.
On vote the motion made by Dillon was carried by 104 to 39.
\ point of order was raised by Hillquit that the Convention is still m
the midst of voting and that nothing is in order except a vote on the mam
motion The Chair ruled point well taken, and Comrade Cannon King, ot
California appealed from decision of Chair. Vice-Chairman Shipley took the
chair. The appeal was stated and by a vote of 89 to 49 the Chair was sus-
tained. -■ .
Chair ruled that the motion as amended is earned.
A motion was made by Bausch, of New Jersey, that O'Hare be allowed
to offer her amendment to the preamble. The Chair ruled it out of order. An
anneal from the Chair was made. Vice-Chairman Shipley took the chair.
The appeal was stated. Vote being taken, the Chair was not sustained.
Comrade O'Hare made a motion to insert in paragraph 4, after the
words "The only struggle which would .iustify the workers in taking up
arms is the great struggle of t;he working class of the world to free itself
from economic exploitation and political oppression," "and we particularly
warn the workers against the snare and delusion of so-called offensive war-
Previous question having been called for and carried.
Biedenkapp. of Xew York, took the floor for five minutes m favor of he
amendment, and Comrade Roewer. of Massachusetts, in opposition to the
amendment. 4. „<; o^ +„ -i
The amendment being put to a vote, carried by a vote of 87 to ol.
Explanation of Vote.
While not under specific instructions from the State Committee, I con-
sider that Comrade O'Hare's motion to "warn the working class against the
nareLd delusion of defensive warfare" to be in harmony with the spiri
of resodutions adopted by Locals and Branches representing a -aiori y o
L membership of the State. The vot3 was taken by show-up of hands
and I voted "yes." ^^^^^^ ^^ rEII.LY.
Motion by Sandberg. of Illinois, that the word "willingly" be stricken
from se tL 2, 13th line. Ruled out of order by Chair, and Chair was ap-
peaTed from Seargent-at-Arms, Taylor, took the chair. Appeal was stated.
By vote Chair was sustained.
Comrade Hillquit then proceeded to read the program.
• A substitute was offered by Cameron King for section 1 and the rest
of the program, copies of which were distributed to delegates.
~ Previous question was called for and carried.
8
>r%
^^^
Berlyn, of Illinois, took the floor against the substitute and Goebel, of
New Jersey, for the substitute.
The substitute was lost by a vote of 90 to 4.a.
A roll call was asked for, and by a vote of 117 to 47 the substitute was
lost.
Affirmative: Barnette, Davenport, Fulks, King, .Mills, White, Millis, Conly,
Fields, Stewart, Sandberg, Baldwin, Beloof, Kleihege, Mitchell Millard,
Jones, Enemark, Hough, Marcus, Adams, Locher, Maley, Rastedt, Sahlnian,
Stafford, Vanderberg, Wassing, Bausch, Goebel,, Sander, Loomis, Martinson',
Conley, Cumbie, Sample, Houchin, Moore, Russell. Sechrist, Stair, Stanwood,
Johnson, McCone, Atwood (one-half vote), Fairchild (one-half vote), Duke,
Buech, Gaylord, Seidel
Negative: Hogan, Plunkett, Shee, Spies, McGuigan, Pierce, Berg,
Berlyn, Castle, Diebl, Dreifuss, Holland, Howe, Kennedy, Knopfnagel, Lund-
quist, Genner, Owens, Henry, Jackman, Wattles, Zimmermann, Bowman, Mc-
CriUis, Metcalf, Millard, Shipley, Annala, Blooni, Makela. Oiieal, Roewer,
Schulze, Syryala, Earley, Hedden, Keracher, Kiishkila, Renn\>r, Sugar, West-
fall, Brandt, Hoehn, O'Hare, McElroy, Meissner, Leonard, Green, Jones.
Krafft, Quinlan Reilly, Dillon, Parks, Berggren, Biedenkapp,, Boudln, Can-
non, Hillquit, Hilsdorf, Lee, Lore, Lulow, Mahoney, Noonan, Oppenheimer,
Pauly, Rowitch, Sheahan, Solomon, Norteva, Baker, Jodlbauer, Midney, Pat-
terson, Prevey, Ruthenberg, Wagenknecht, Wilkins, Jones, Lewis, Nias, Oder,
Thompson, Tuttle, Smith, Reivou, Streiff, Adams, Barnes, Clarke, Garber,
Hayden, Higgins, McKeown, Myers, Ross, Stump, Tait, Thompson, Wilson,
Coldwell, Butler (one-half vote), Fairchild (one-half vote), Braun, Gregory,
King, Stoney, Bonnevie, Herman, House, Katterfeld, Maurer, Thomas, Gil-
lespie, Holt, Buech, Neilsen.
"I voted "No" for the reason that the resolution is meaningless, inas
much as It declares for mass meetings, demonstrations and all other lawful
means. 'And we know that mass meetings and demonstrations will be un-
lawful as means of fighting for anything during the war. Also I am opposed
to conscription of men, regardless of conscription of wealth. I am not con-
. cemed with the best method of financing any war.
(Signed) EDW\ HAYDEN,
Pennsylvania.
"I vote 'Aye, on motion because we should permit the people the right
to vote on matters of vital interest to them."
Diehl, of Illinois, moved that Convention adopt program as a whole.
Conley, of Oklahoma, amended that we print the program from section
7 on in heavy-faced type.
Motion by Hogan, of Arkansas, to amend section 2.
We demand that there shall be no conscription of men until the Ameri-
can people have been given a right to vote upon that question, and if con-
scription come at all, we demand thatit shall begin with wealth; and that
the American capitalist class shall pay for the war as It proceeds. We pro
teat against a collossal bonded debt with which this and generations un
born shall be burdened, and insist that all annual Incomes in excess of
9
$5,000 shall be taken by the government and devoted to discharging the cur-
rent expenses of the war.
Ruthenberg, of Ohio, raised a point of order that this was out of ofder.
Chair did not accept the point of order and was appealed from. Sergeant-
at-Arms took the chair and appeal was stated. By a vote of 69 to -53 the Chair
was sustained.
Hogan, of Arkansas, was permitted to make his motion.
Lacher, from Minnesota, moved the previous question, which carried,
Wagenknecht, of Ohio, took the floor to speak against the amendment and
Hillquit for it.
A roll call vote was taken on Hogan's amendment and was carried by
110%, against 69.
Affirmative: Barnette, Fulks, Hogan, Harrinian, King, Mills, Collins,
Plunkett, Shea, Spies. Pierce, Millis, Conly, Fields, Stewart, Castle, Holland,
Kennedy, McDonald, Wattles, Bowman, McCrillis, Metcalf, Baldwin, Beloof,
Kleihege, Mitchell, Millard, Enemark, Young, Annala, Bloom, Fenner, Hough,
Marcus, Oneal, Schulze, Sugar, Westfall, Locher, Maley, Rastedt, Sahlman,
Wassing, Brandt, O'Hare, Porter, Leonard, Bausch, Goebel, Green, Jones,
Krafft, Reilly, Dillon, Parks, Cannon, Gerber, Hillquit, Hilsdorf, Lulow, Ma-
honey, Xoonan, Sander, Sheahan, Solomon, Norteva, Loomis, Martinson,
Sheldon, Conley, Cumbie, Sample, Houchin, Lewis, Moore, Russell, Sechrist,
Stair, Stanwood,. Johnson, Thompson, Tuttle, Smith, McCone, Reivou, Streiff,
Barnes, Clarke, McKeown, Butler, Braun, King, Stoney, Spargo, Duke,
Thomas, Gillespie, Holt, Neilsen, .Seidel, Thorn.
Affirmative: Davenport, McGuigan, Pimbley, White, Berg, Berlyn, Drei-
fnss, Howe, Knopfnagel, Lundguist, Owens, Sandberg, Henry, Jackman, Zim-
mermann, Jones, Shipley, Makela, Syryala, Earley, Hedden, Keracher, Kiish-
kila, Renner, Adams, Stafford, Vanderberg, McElroy, Miessner , Quinlan,
Berggren, Biedenkapp, Boudin. Lore, Oppenheimer, Pauly, Rowitch, Baker,
Clifford, Jodlbauer, Midney, Patterson, Prevey, Ruthenberg, Wagenknecht,
Wilkins, Jones, Xias, Oder, Adams, Garber, Hayden, Higgins, Myers, Ross,
Stump, Tait, Thompson, Wilson, oCldwell, Atwood (one-half vote), Iverson
(one-half vote), Gregory, Bonnevie, Herman, House, Katterfeld, Maurer, Sad-
ler.
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 to meet again at S o'clock.
o
o-
I
_ : ;. SIXTH DAY SESSIO*N.
vcT,.T.;- ;:';:Ar'^'^"'"®<^3y Evciiing, April 12, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Sadler at 8:15 p. m.
Christensen of Illinois seated in Burg's place and Germer in place of
McDonald in Illinois delegation.
Lulow of New York moved the adoption of paragraph 3 as read.
Motion by Higgins of Pennsylvania to amend after the words, "all
reactionary measures," "such as the policy of so-called civic peace adopted
by the officers of labor organizations and the American Federation of
Labor."
Heman of Washington amended the amendment to lay on the table.
Carried.
Previous question being called for, paragraph 3 was put to vote and
carried.
Motion by McKeown of Pennsylvania that we reconsider action taken
on the second paragraph.
Amendment by Streiff to table this motion. Motion carried.
Motion by Lulow of New York to adopt paragraph 4 as read. Carried. '
Spies of Connecticut moved the adoption of Section 5. Carried.
Motion to adopt Section 6 as read was carried.
By motion by Lulow of ,New York, Section 7 was adopted as read.
Morteva of New York moved that the words "democratic management"
be inserted after "socialization" in Section (c).
Motion by Conley of Oklahoma that the words "and other natural re-
sources" be Inserted after the word "land."
Amendment by Howe of Illinois to strike out the word "agricultural"
before the word "land."
The section as amended was carried.
A motion was made by Rowitch of New York that the committee add
the following to the program:
"Representatives of the Socialist Party in the various governing bodies
shall refuse -to vote for war credits or any other measures of war. Action
shall be immediately taken to expel party members violating this decision."
Motion to table the above was carried.
Motion by Lulow, of New York, that concluding paragraph of the pro-
gram, be adopted. Carried.
Ruthenberg, of Ohio, read the re-written substitute presented by Hogan
in the afternoon session. A motion to adopt this re-written su.^stitute was
carried. The substitute, as re-written, is as follows: ^
"We pledge ourselves to oppose with all our strength any attempt to raise \
money for payment of war expenses by taxinr the necessities of life or issuing \
bonds which will put the burden upon future generations. We demand that /
10
the capitalist class, which is responsible for the war, pay Its cost. Let those
who kindled the fire furnish the fuel."
M. HILLQUIT,
GEO. SPIES,
JOHN SPARGO, !
KATE RICHARDS O'HARE,
A. LEE,
D. M. HOGAN,
"Voting 'yes' on Comrade Hogan's motion to amend the 'practical program'
of the Report of the Committee on War and Militarism, the undersigned did
so, not with the idea that the proposed taxation would benefit the workers
economically, nor that its enactment should in the least lessen our absolute
opposition to conscription of men. The only reason in so doing was the belief
that propaganda in the direction of the amendment will create a panic among
the capitalists and 'show up' their true stand in regard to the war. We also
voted 'yes' with the understanding that the committee will change the crude
composition of the proposed amendment in accordance with the stand expressed
in the above statement."
S. NUORTCOA,'
,New York.
' VICTOR ANNALS,
- . Massachusetts,
The first section of the reco'mmendations was adopted as read.
The second section Of the recommendations was adopted as read.
Amendment by Biedenkapp, of New York, to section three, to Insert the
word "this" in place of "our."
Motion by Mahoney, of New York, that Convention adopt document as a
whole, with recommendations as amended.
Amended by Prevey, of Ohio, that we read the demands before document
is voted on. Amendment lost.
Previous question wag called for and carried.
Krafft, of New Jersey, Porter, of Nebraska, Biedenkapp and Cannon, of
New York, wished to be recorded as voting "no" on the above motion.
Lulow, of New York, offered the following resolution:
"Be it resolved, that this Convention instructs and empowers the National
Executive ^Committee to create an Emergency War Committee, of which the
party secretary on international affairs be chairman. Such committee to work
in harmony and under instructions from National Executive Committee."
By motion, the above was tabled.
Motion by Lee, of New York, that the whole of the program and recommen-
dations, as adopled by Convention here today, be read before the vote for
final adoption be taken. Motion lost. .
Motion by Mahoney, of New York carried. ,
Cumbie deslreg to change his vote from "yes" to "no" on War Report.
W. B. Smith, of Oklahoma, wants to go on record as voting "no" on War
uad Militarigm as a whole.
"While I recognize that by voting for conscription of income for purposes
of war is virtually voting war appropriations and may be interpreted to be
contrary to our platform, I am voting 'yes,' because we can't shut our eyes
to the fact that a state of war exists and measures for immediate relief for
the working class must be demanded. We unalterably oppose this war and all
war measures, but we throw all the war burdens and responsibilities upon
the capitalist class.
Besides, this will meet with a tremendous approval on the part of the
working class, will call the bluff of the capitalist game, establish the principle
of expropriation of wealth for the purposes of the nation, and will place the
Socialist Party in the lead of the working class.
SAMUEL H. HOLLAND,
Illinois.
I am voting against the majority report on war because it is not only
non-Socialist, but it is anti-Socialist in doctrine; it contradicts the historical
facts; it condemns no national government except that of the United States,
therein being pro-European and peculiarly anti- American; it misses by a
mile the big constructive opportunity of the Socialist Party in this war;
it crystallizes needlessly the ignorant and vicious anti-Socialist prejudices,
and it gives reckless occasion for those rantings by the capitalist press which
will most effectively close the public mind completely for many months to
all effective and constructive Socialist propaganda— if nothing worse.
W. R. GAYLORD,
Wisconsin.
Fenner of Massachusetts made a supplementary report for the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means as follows:
Supplementary Report Ways and Means Committee.
WTiereas, The indebtedness of the National Organization is now approxi-
mately $13,000, and,
Whereas, The expenses of this convention will approximately be ?15,000
to this deficit, and other expenses may bring the grand total up to |30,000, and.
Whereas, There will be additional sums needed Immediately for the
■widespread circulation of the War Resolutions; therefore, be it
Resolved, that this convention elect a special Finance Committee of
three to devise way a:nd means of securing this necessary money. This
committee also to advise and assist the State Secretaries in collecting
assessments levied against the State Organizations.
C. E. FINNER, Chairman,
A motion was made to adopt this report
Substitute by Goebel that we shall levy an assessment of 25 cents per
tnember. In addition, the National Executive Committee be instructed to
at. once^elect a committee of one, who shall take up immediately the work
-of securing contributions to an anti-war emergency fund.
HiUquit moved a division of the vote. A vote on the 25-cent assessment
was carried.
Tii% second lialf of the motion was lost by a vote of 66 to 49.
Motion by Kennedy of Illinois that we hear the report of Constitution
Committee. Carried. ,
Comrade Kennedy then took the floor to present the majority report,
copies of which were distributed among the delegates.
Comrade Solomon took the floor to report for the minority, copies of
report having been distributed among the delegates.
Comrade Anna' Maley took the floor to speak on the majority report,
reading from Comrades' letters which had been received by the committee,
urging various changes and additions to the Constitution.
By a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:35.
GEORGE E. ROEWER, JR..
Secretary.
<i
i^
SEVENTH DAY SESSION.
Friday Morning, April 13, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Sadler at 9:15.
Following were nominated for Chairman:
Lee of New York — accepted. •
Wagenknecht of Ohio — accepted.
Hillquit of New York- — declined.
Dillon of New Mexico — accepted.
Millard of Kentucky — declined.
Seidel of Wisconsin — declined.
By a vote of 68, Lee of New York was elected Chairman against a vote
of 39 for Wagenknecht and 9 for Dillon.
The following were nominated for Vice-Chairman :
Hogan of Arkansas — accepted.
Cannon of New York — declined.
Adams of Minnesota — declined.
Cumbie of Oklahoma — declined.
Wagenknecht of Ohio— declined.
Goebel of New Jersey— declined.
Millard of Kentucky — accepted.
Clifford of Ohio— declined.
By a vote of 57, Hogan was elected Vice-Chalrnian against 42 for Millard.
Following delegates wished to be recorded "No" on the final vote on
the adoption as k whole of the War Program: Gaylord of Wisconsin, Duke
of Virginia, Goebel of New Jersey, Mills of California, Mahoney of New York,
Millard of Kentucky, King of California, Maley of Minnesota, Stair of Okla-
homa, Cumbie of Oklahoma, Sample of Oklahoma, Moore of Oklahoma and
Sechriat of Oklahoma.
Solomon of New York moved that delegates wishing to be so recorded
write their statements and hand them in to Secretary. This was adopted
aa the rule of procedure by Chair.
Statement In Re Vote on War Resolution.
I vote "No" on the majority report of the War Committee, of whi(;h I
was a member. I signed the report, believing that it could be so amended
that I could vote for it 1 agree with the statement of the causes of the
war. I do not agree with the statements that will, in my judgment, greatly
intensify the clash between our movement and the government and the
American people and make our work during the war impracticable, if not
impossible.
We are in a state of war. During that state of war the government
will not be inclined to permit an organized effort within the country to
maintain a "continuous, active and public opposition to the war, through
demonstrations, mass petitions and all other means within our power," the
purpose of which is to "rouse and organize the masses for action — against
the present war."
I think such statements are extremely unwise. Instead of preserving
our rights, they will tend to provoke the powers that be to "throttle our
rights and to crush our democratic institutions."
Not only this, they will tend to make a chasm between our movement
and the constructive work now so greatly needed and for which most
wonderful opportunities would be otherwise open to us.
With Seidel, Spargo, Anna Maley, Goebel and others, I have signed a
minority statement whicli, In my opinion, will, if adopted by popular vote,
be far more productive of good to our movement.
JOB HARRLMAN,
California.
Motion by Roewer of Massachusetts that reading o! the roll call be
dispensed with. Carried.
Motion by Roewer of ilassachusetts that reading of the minutes of
the preceding day be dispensed with. Carried.
The Missouri delegation asked that Comrade Thomas E. Green of Mis-
souri be seated in place of Comrade O'Hare, who had left on a lecture
tour. Green of Missouri seated as delegate.
Reading clerk read several telegrams as follows:
From- Henry Hagelstein of San Francisco, California, relative to Mooney
case.
From the Jewish Comrades pf Chicago, sending greeting to convention.
/ F1"om Branch Montclair, New Jersey, urging acceptance of Benson's
Xy, proposals.
From Joseph Vernick, Organizer Sixth Assembly District of New York
City, urging repudiation of Samuel Gompers' position on labor laws during
war time.
Motion by Lulow of New York that the convention call upon the Reso-
lutions Committee for a further report in the matter of Mooney defense.
Carried.
A motion by Quinlan of New Jersey that the report of the Constitution
Committee be taken up seriatum.
An amendment by Solomon, of New York, that Convention first consider
the dissetiting sections of the Minority Committee. Amendment accepted by
mover and motion was carried.
Comrade Kennedy reports the following: That after Section 2(a) the
following words were inserted, "and these members must be residents of their
districts at the time of their nomination, and during their term of office";
strike out the first line of page 6, add to article XIV "The Young People's
Socialist League shall be entitled to one fraternal delegate, having a voice
but rit» vote in the National Convention-."
Motion by Kennedy that amendment proposed to section 1, article 2, that
the words "political organizations" be stricken out be adopted.
The following were reported as the signers of the Majority Report on Con-
stitution: Williams, of Car.; Mills, of Cat; Goebel, of New Jersey; Gaylord, of
Wise; Maley, of Minn. ^
2
■xX-
Previous question being called for and carried. Comrade Katterfeld took
the floor to speak against the amendment, arSl Comrade Kennedy for the
amendment.
The amendment was put to a vote and lost. A roll call vote was called for
by required number, resulting as follows:
Affirmative: Barnett, Davenport, Fulks, Hogan, Harriman, King, Mills,
Collins, McGehe, Pimbly, Millis, Fields, Kennedy, Germer, Wattles, Baldwin,
Beloof, Kleighe, Mitchell, Millard, Jones, Hough, Marcus, Sugar, Maley, Was-
'^ing. Brant, Green, Porter, Goebel, Milo Jones. Quinlan, Parks, Cannon,
Loomis. Houchin, Russell, Sechrist, Thompson, Butler, Fairchild (one-half vote
each), Murray King, Stoney, Spargo, Duke, Berger, Buech, Gaylord, Krzychi,
Neilsen, Seidel, Thorn.
Negative: Plunkett, Shea, Spies, Pierce, White, Stewart, Christiansen,
Berlyn, Castle, Diehl, Dreifuss, Holland, Howe, Knopfnagel, Lundquist, Owens,
Sandberg, Henry, Jackman, Zimmerman, Bowman, McQuilUs, Shipley, Young,
Annala, Bloom, Fenner, Makela, Oneal, Roewer, Schultz, Syrvala,
Early, Hedden, Kiiskila, Westfall, Adams, Locher, Rastadt, Sahlman,
Stafford, Vanderberg, . Meissner, Leonard, Bausch, Green, Krafft, Reilly,
Dillon, Berggren, Biedenkapp, Boudin, Gerber, Hillquit, Hilsdorf,
Lee, Lore, Lulow, Noonan, Oppenheimer, Pauly, Rowitch, Sander, Sheahan.
Solomon, Nuorteva, Sheldon, Baker, Clifford, Jodlbauer, Midney, Patterson,
Prevey, Ruthenberg, Wagenknecht, Wilkins, Conley, Cumbie, Sample, Lewis,
Adams, Clarke, Garber, Haydon, Higgins, McKeown, Myers, Ross, Stump, Tate.
Thompson, Wilson, Cold well, Atwood, Iverson (one-half vote each), Braun,
Gregory, Bonnevie, Herman, House, Katterfeld, Maurer, Saddler, Thomas,
Cfillespie.
Absent: Connolly, McGee, Williams, McGuigan, Farmer, Metcalf, Baker,
Enemark,' Hoehn, Mahoney, Martinson, Barnard, Jones, Thurmond, Barnes,
Theinert, Simpaon, Holt, Bateman, Patterson.
Present, but not voting: Conly, McElroy, Strieff.
Resulting in 114 votes in favor and 50 against.
"I vote 'yes' on amending Section 1 of Article II, by striking out 'political
organizations,' because I desire to have the proposed amendment sent to a
referendum of the membership."
CONLY,
Idaho.
"I voted 'yes' on the majority report, because I do not believe we are
revolutionary' in drawing lines against 'political organizations.' It is only
the reactionary in the socialist movement who is afraid to admit the presence
of the other great democrsiac forces in American life. The real revolutionist
is not a coward. The party pledge which demands that every person sever
relations with all other political parties is surely strong enough to keep the
party ^^'clear.' To go further than this to to shut the door against democracy
and is treason to the best interests of the movement."
FLORENCE A. WATTLES,
• Indiana.
Sugar, of Michigan, protested the votes of Lackwood and Ball, of Michi-
gan.
The secretary explained that he had read those names, because of being
bO instructed by delegate Early, of Michigan. Objection was raised against
those votes being counted and Chair ruled that these two votes shall not be
counted. Motion by Work that the rules shall be set aside and hereafter no
roll call shall be had except by the majority vote of those voting on the pro-
posal.
Move to table the above motion. Motion to table lost. Previous question
being called for and carried, Comrade Work's motion was put and carried.
The Secretary reported that, by a vote of 114 to 50, Comrade Kennedy's
amendment was lost.
Motion by Maley of Minnesota an additional section to Article 2, that all
persons affiliated with any political organization in the definition of a political
organization as accepted by this Convention, namely, an organization formed
for the purpose of furthering the election of candidates to public office, shall
be automatically dropped from the roll of the Socialist party. Moved by Bloom
nf Massachusetts to table above motion. Motion carried.
Motion by committee that Article 2, Section 4, be stn-uck out. Motion lost.
Comrade Kennedy, for the committee, spoke in favor of the amendment
to Article 10, Section 3, present constitution. The following participated in
■..he discussion for and against this amendment: Xuorteva of Xew York
(against), McCrillis of Iowa (in favor), Solomon of New York (against),
Goebel of New Jersey (in favor), Oneal of Massachusetts (against), Prevey
of Ohio (against), Adolph Genner (in favor), Pauly of New York (against).
Comrade Anna Maley offered the following amendment to Division A of
Section ,1: "Nor shall any candidate of the Socialist party accept any nomi-
nation or endorsement from any other political party."
Discussion continued: Diehi of Illinois (against), Gay lord of Wisconsin
(in favor), Henry of Indiana (against), Mills of California (in favor). Mo-
rion offered by Lee of New York that the matter before the house be recom-
mitted and that the committee be instructed after taking consideration of the
jdebate that has already occurred to re-report before action upon the constitu-
tion has been completed.
Comrade Clifford of Ohio and Green of New Jersey took the floor to
ijpeak agaii^t the above motion.
The time for adjournment having arrived, the meeting adjourned at
12:35 p. m.
GEOEGE E. ROE WE R, JR..
Secretary.
:»
a
»
SEVENTH DAY SESSION.
Friday Afternoon, April 13, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Vice-Chairman Hogan at 2:'o\'> p. m.
Various delegates placed themselves- on record as follows:
My reasons for voting against the declaration on war are: First, the
■jscond sentence in Paragraph 4, which reads as follows: "We therefore call
■ 4
%
upon the workers of all countries to refuse support to their Governments in
their wars." ^
I have, and am satisfied to continue to urge the American workers to re-
fuse to carry war on behalf of capitalism to any other country, but with the
menace facing the Mexican people of invasion of their country by' a United
States army, which would mean the re-establishment of the old Diaz or Cien-
tifico regime or the conquest of, part or all, of that country, I refuse to urge
Mexicans to refuse to assist in the attempt to repel the invaders. With the
able-bodied population of Belgium and Northern France. Poland and other
violated lands being sent into slavery by the invaders, manv, many of the
women actually being forced to render sex accommodation to army officers I
refuse to urge submission by the workers of these war-devastated lands.
With the war in Russia developed into one for Freedom, with a hundred
thousand exiles and prisoners in Siberia and other places of detention being
liberated, and returning in rags and tatters to their homes, but yet with the
hope and fire of liberty and working class advancement showing in their
eyes, I refuse to ask the Russian workers to refuse to fight to hold what has
been won, or to achieve more, I refuse to urge the Russian workers to refuse
support to their provisional government to the end. perhaps, that the Roman-
offs might be re-established on the throne and our liberated comrades reini-
prisoned, together with tens of thousands of those who are responsible for
Russia's recent brilliant achievement.
Second. The next sentence following the one quo'ted reads: "The wars
of the contending nations' national groups of capitalists are not the concern
of the workers."
I object to saying the workers are not interested in those wars. Six mil-
lion workers have already beeu killed in the European war, hence it seems
idle to tell the European workers they are not concerned. The Socialist party
in the United States rushed into an emergency convention to consider the
war, and then declares it, or the workers, rather, are not concerned in the
^^''- . JOSEPH D. CANNON,
New York.
On the motion to strike out the words "political organizations" in Article
2, Section I, of the Constitution, I voted "no" for i)urely ulterior motives. [
did so that I nught turn "State's evidence," indict and convict other of my
cohorts as assassins of the Socialist party— for which this Convention Heems
to have been particularly called. I am a supreme believer in democTacy— in
the democracy of and full freedom of the intellect as the only |K)Hsible lib-
rator of the working class. And. as is evidenced by the majority vote on
this motion, there can be no democracy except the democracy n( the dead, f
vote for the dead.
I believe in no unholy alliances with any force in society that seeks to
enslave the mind. I bow to no god except the God of reason, and have a
supreme contempt for those who iireach democracy ,and then dogmatically
deny the right to exercise it. ,-
(Signed) U N. SHELDEN,
. North Dakota.
I do not deem the amendment to striking out the words "political organi-
zation" would in any way oi)en the (inestion of i)Olitica] trading. If I thought
it would I should have reversed my vote.
(Signed) W. p. CoiUns.
Colorado.
The first order of business being the motion to recommit the report of the
Constitutional Committee. The previous question was moved by Sample of
Oklahoma. The previous question carried.
Comrade KatterfeUl took the floor to speak against the motion to recom-
uilt, and Comrade Lee for the- motion. The motion to recommit was lost
by 73 to IS.
Klei:^ege of Kansas spoke in favor of the committee's report. Stump of
Pennsylvania spoke against it. The following also participated in the dis-
cussion:
Hogan of Arkansas (in favor), Mahoney of Xew York (in favor), Jane
Tait or Pennsylvania (against), Duke of Virginia (in favor), Gregory of
Tennessee (against).
Dreyfus of Illinois moved the previous question. Previous question car-
ried.
Germer of Illinois took the floor on question of personal privilege.
Comrade Katterfeld took the floor against the report; Cannon of Xew
York in favor of the report.
The Secretary was then instructed by the Chair to read section (3) to be
voted on. both its original wording and as amended by the committee.
A roll call vote on amendment as reported to Article 10, Section :i, by
the committee was called for, resulting as follows:
Affirmative: Barnette, Davenport, Arizona; Fulks, Hogan, Arkansas-
Harriman, Cameron, King, Mills, California; Collins, McGehe, Colorado!
White. Florida; Millis, Georgia: Conly, Fields, Stewart, Idaho; Castle, Ken-
nedy, Germer, Illinois; Wattles, Indiana; :ilcCrillis, Metcalf. Iowa; Baldwin
Beloof, Kleihege, Mitchell, Kansas; IMiliard. Kentucky; Jones. Louisiana;'
Young, Maryland; Hough. Marcus, Massachusetts; Sugar, Michigan; Maley,
Wassing, Minnesota; Brandt, Hoehn, Green, Missouri; Porter, Nebraska :'
Goebel, New Jersey; Parks, New Mexico; Cannon, .Mahoney, New York;
Loomis, Sheldon, North Dakota; Sami)le, Houchin. Russell. Sechrlst, Thomp-
son, Oklahoma; .\fcCone, Streiff. Oregon; King, Stoney. Utah; Spargo, Ver-
mont; Duke, Virginia; Gillespie, West Virginia; Berger. Buech, Gaylord,
Krzycki, Neilsen, Seidel, Thorn, Wisconsin.
Negative: Plunkett, Shea, Speiss, Connecticut, Pierce, District of Co-
lumbia; Pinibly. Florida; Christiansen, Berlyn, Diehl, Dreifuss. Holland,
Howe, Knopfnagel, Lundquist, Owens, ■ Sandberg, Illinois; Henry, Jackniam
Zimmerman, Indiana; Shipley, .Maryland; Annala, Bloom, Fenner. Makela,
Oneal, Roewer, Schulze, Syryala, Massachusetts; Earley, Hedden,' Kiiskila,'
Westfall, Michigan; Rastedt, Vanderberg, Minnesota; McElroy, Meissner!
Montana; Leonard. New Hampshire; Dauach, Green, Jones, Krafft. Quinlan!
Reilly, New Jersey; Dillon, New Mexico; Berggren, Beidenkapp, Boudin, Ger'
her, Hilsdorf, Lee, Lore. Lulow, Noonan. Oppenheimer. Pauly, Uowitch, San-
<;
'i
C^
f
%
^
der. Sheahan, Solomon. Nuorteva, New York; ^aker, Clifford, .fodlbauer.
Midney, Patterson, Prevey, Ruthenberg. Wagenkneeht, Ohio; Conley, Cumbie,
Lewis, Moore, Nias, Oder, Stair, Stanwood, Johnson, Tuttle, Smith, Okla-
homa; Reibou, Oregon; Adams, Clarke, Garber, Hayden, Higgins, McKeown,
Myers, Ross, Stump, Tate, Thompson, Wilson, Pennsylvania; Coldwell. Rhode
Island; Iverson (one-half vote). South Dakota; Braun, Gregory. Tennessee;
Bonnevie, Herman, House, Katterfeld. Maurer. Saddler. Thotuas. Washington.
Absent: Connolly, Alabama, McKee, Williams. Caiifornia; McGuigan.
Delaware;- Farmer, Indiana; Bowman, Iowa; Baker. Enemark. Maine; Foss,
Keracher, Renner, Michigan; Adams, Locher. Sahlman, Stafford. Minnesota;
Hillquit. New York; .Martinson. North Dakota; Barnard. VVilkins. Ohio;
Jones, Thurmond, Oklahoma; Theinert. Rhode Island; Simpson. Texas: Holt,
West Virginia; Bateman, Patterson, Wyoming.
Not Voting: Barnes, Pennsylvania.
One hundred and one and one-half against and .51) 'a in favor.
The report was therefore defeated. Delegates, in e.xiilamition of their
votes, filed the following comments:
I vote "yes" on committee substitute for Article 10, Section :;, because I
refuse to put comrades in the dilemma of either violating the iiarty coiisti
tutlon or being traitors to the working class in vital conflicts.
CAMERON H. KING,
- WALTER THOMAS .\nLLS.
California.
On striking out "political organizations," I voted '-no" for the same rea-
son I voted "no" on resolution of the paid attorney of the Non-Partisan
League. They are "illegitimate friends," and the majority took a ])osition
pleasing to the league. e. F. ATWOOD,
South Dakota.
I voted "no" on the substitute for Article 3 of our Constitution, but I be-
lieve that, the Socialist party may combine with the Socialist-Labor party in
election time. jiaX LULOW.
New York.
I vote "yes" on the amendment to Section 3 of Article X because I think
this matter should be decided by the membership, and the only way by
which it can be submitted to a referendum is by being adopted by thf Con
vention. CO.XLV
l<l;ihii
On Article X, Section 3, of the proi)osed amendment to the .\utiotuil Con-
stitution I vote "yes," hoi)ing it will secure sulficlcnt vott<s to be sub-
mitted to a : eferenduni of the membership.
I. F. ST1']\VART,
Idaho.
While it is true that there are dilllt iiltics In ctM-tain districts of the
country on account of special primary, laws, I do not believe the propositions
of the committee go in the right direction, H^specially I do not believe that in-
dividual members of the party should be allowed to do things that the party
itself should be forbidden to do. 1 also am opi)Osed to such changes that
would allow combinations with other political organimtions and parties iust
TZ present ornoial tin,e. when we .now we stand --"-JJ^^^;™-" <>"
fights. I therefore vote "no. ' • minois.
Comrade Suargo presented an alternate war resolution which he asked the
permission of the hcuse to read. By a vote of 81 to 42 the request wa. not
"^ A motion was made that when Spargo's resolution goes to the referen-
dum the names of the signers appear. Carried.
Motion by Rnthenberg of Ohio that we suspend the rules insotar as to.
allow at this time a motion upon the question of printing the report of the
Committee on War and Militarism, ^as decided upon yesterday. Carried.
Motion by Ruthenberg of Ohio that the Executive Secretary and Executive
Committee be Instructed to immediately have the report on war and mili-
tarism adopted by the Convention printed in such quantities as the Executive
Committee mav decide, and distributed through the locals of the party.
Amendment bv Gaylord that the document submitted by Spargo be also
printed and circulated. Goebel of New Jersey spoke in favor of the amend-
ment- Solomon of New York against the amendment. The previous question
was called for, and carried. Goebel spoke against the motion by Ruthenberg;
Ruthenberg in favor.
Michigan delegation asked that Comrades John Ball and Ernest North
be seated in place of Renner c^nd Kerriger. Request was granted.
■ Comrade Anna Maley, for the Constitution Committee, moved to amend
the closing paragraph of Section 3, Article 10, by inserting "democratic" be-
fore "expulsion " A point of order was raised by Solomon that this was out
of order. The point was not well taken by the Chair and the Chair was ap-
pealed from by Biedenkapp of New York.
Vice-Chairman Hogan took the chair, and the appeal was stated.
By a vote of 70 to 52 the Chair was not sustained, and the motion was
ruled out of order. . ^ c
Comrade Kennedy, for the Constitution Committee, moved to amend Sec-
tion G. Article 2, by striking out from the Constitution Article 6, Section 6.
with the following explanation of their motion:
' Special Note Concerning Changes in Article II.
Unanimous agreement to strike out Article II, Section 6. was reached by
an understanding that it.be definitely recorded on the Convention minutes
that in so doing the committee expresses neither approval nor disapproval of
the phrases eliminated, but rather, that, in the judgment of some of the com-
mittee the educational purpose of the adoption in 1912 of this section has
been accomplished, while still others of the. committee believe that such
questions are more properly within the domain of the economic organizations.
Nuorteva of New York objected to the motion, and took the floor to speak
on this. * . n 1, 4^v.
\oting "yes- on the motion to eliminate Article 11, Section 6, from the
Constitution, the undersigned do so with the express understanding that the
elimination of the section does not express an indorsement of methods ot
8
^
individual violence as means of the class struggle or the propaganda of such
methods, nor does it mean a reijudiation of the ai^nd of the party that politi-
cal action is one of the basic priuci|iles of the party.
S. NUORTEVA,
F. J. SYRJALA,
V. ANNAUA,
JAMES OXEAL,
C. E. FENNER,
V. BLOOM.
G. MAKELA.
GEORGE E. ROEWER, JR.
On the motion to strike out Article 2, Section 6, from the Constitution,
the following votes to be recorded:
Negative: Goebel, Krafft, New Jersey; Plunkett, Spiess, Connecticut;
A. G. Sechrist, Oklahoma; W. H. Hilsdorf, New York. Max fjilow of New
York votes "no" without explanation.
Absent from hall on Platform Committee when vote on War and .Mili-
tarism Resolution was taken, I wish to have my vote recorded for it.
L. A. ST AN WOOD,
Oklahonui.
My signature on the substitute report proposed by Comrades Siedel and
Spargo and others to be submitted to referendum, was affixed thereto with
the understanding that I did not indorse the same, but wished to give it
an opportunity to be brought to a vote by the membership of the Socialist
party. Respectfiilly,
U. G. TUTTLE.
Oklahoma.
"Some comrades being under the impression that my vote against the
report means that I am in favor of war, it becomes necessary for me to ex-
plain:
"I moved to strike out from the report the word 'willingly,' Section 'i.
Line 13.
"The sentence would then have read: 'In support of capitalism we will
not give a single life.' Now it reads: 'In support of capitalism we will not
willingly give a single life.' Capitalists are not much concerned about the
willingness. The question with them is: 'Will the Socialists give tlieir lives
as they are giving their labor?' By implication the report as adopted has tlic
answer: 'Yes, Socialists will give their lives — unwillingly.' Tliis I could ruit
vote for. It is a cowardly answer."
KARL K. M. SANDUlfRG.
Illinois.
The committee accepted Nuorteva's statement in this uu>tlon.
Ruthenberg of Ohio moved that Article 2, Section (!, be struck out, with-
out adopting any statement.
Lore of New York moved the previous question, which, being put, carried. _
Ruthenberg took the floor (or his amendment; Oneal of Massachusetts
against,
9
By a vote of 78 to 42, Ruthenberg's amendment carried.
On being put to the body, Kennedy's motion carried.
Motion by Kennedy that Article I', be adopted. Carried. f
.Moved by Kennedy that it be the sense of the body that we first discuas
the proposition ot abolishing the National Committee. Carried.
Strieff of Oregon moved that when we adjourn we adjourn until T:30 to-
night, Amended by Dillon of New Mexico that we substitute T o'clock for
7:30. Amendment carried.
Oklahoma delegation asked permission to seat P. ,1. Yager in place of
Jones. Permission granted.
Convention adjourned at 5::)0.
GEORGE E. ROEWER, JR.,
Secretary,
'%^
€>.
'"i^
10
SEVENTH DAY SESSION.
Friday Evening, April 13, 1917.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Lee at 7:12 p. m.
Delegate Lee of New York, on behalf of Delegate Hlllquit, who has been
called away, offers the following for entry in the minutes:
"In view of the reference to myself in the statement which Delegates
Wagenknecht, Ruthenberg and Bonnevie have ihcorporaied into the minutes
of the Thursday morning session, I am compelled to put it on record that
they have misstated the substance of my remarks."
MORRIS HILLQUIT,
New York.
I voted "Yes" on the majority report because I do not believe in the
severe treatment of Comrades who are honest enough to say they have
violated Sec. 3 of Art. X. This section has been used by the heresy experts
who do not believe in political action themselves and feel it their bounden
duty to sabotage the Socialist Party at every opportunity.
There is small danger of compromise so long as the party keeps its
direction and states its position on fusion in plain terms. Beyond this, there
should be the greatest freedom of action. We must come to it if we are to
represent a forward-moving revolutionary working class. To stand still is
not "revolutionary," but reactionary.
FLORENCE WATTLES',
Indiana.
The business before the house was a motion made by Kennedy of Illinois
for the Constitution Committee at the afternoon session to abolish the Na-
tional Committee.
Comrade Boudin took the floor on this motion, speaking against the
motion.
Solomon of New York spoke in favor of the motion.
The following also participated in the discussion: William F. Kruse,
against the motion; O'Neal of Massachusetts, in favor; Strieff of Oregon,
in favor; Patterson of Ohio, against the motion; Henry of Indiana, in favor
of motion.
Bloom of Massachusetts moved the previous question.
By a vote of 90 to 34 the previous question was carried.
Quinlan of New Jersey took the floor to apeak against the nmtion.
Mills of California for the motion.
By a vote of 72 to 40, the motion to abolish the National Committee
carried.
Kennedy of Illinois, for Constitutional Committee, moved the adoption
of Section 1, Article 3, as amended by Inserting after the word "National"
the word "Executive." Carried.
Kennedy, for the Committee, moved the adoption of Section 2, Article 3,
as amended by the Committee.
An amendment was offered by Hogan of Arkansas that the National
Executive Committee shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, three of
whom shall be elected from each of the five territorial subdivisions, respect-
ively, as follows: (As reported by Committee on Constitution, copie^ of
which have been distributed to the delegates.) *
An amendment to amendment by Ruthenberg of Ohio that the National
Executive Committee shall be composed of fifteen members, five of whom
shall be elected at large and ten shall be elected by the membership of five
territorial subdivisions.
Mahoney of New York took the floor against the amendment, and Katter-
feld in favor of the amendment.
Previous question was called for and carried.
Ruthenberg took the floor in favor of his amendment.
Biedenkapp of New York took the floor in favor of Hogan's amendment.
Gerber of New York took the floor in support of the committee's report.
A vote was taken, which resulted as follows: On the Ruthenberg
amendment, 95 opposed and 44 in favor; the amendment was lost. On the
Hogan amendment, 88 in favor and 52 opposed; the amendment carried,
The original motion as amended was then put and carried.
Kennedy moved the adoption of Section 3, Article 3.
Krafft of New Jersey moved an additional section to Article 3 that candi-
dates for the National Executive Committee shall have been active members
of the party for fifteen, years.
Krafft of New Jersey took the floor in favor of his amendment.
Lulow of New York moved to table above motion. Motion carried.
Motion by Kennedy of Illindis that Articles 4 and 5 of Section 1 shall
be struck out. Carried.
Nuorteva of New York moved an amendment to Section 1 (b) by adding
"In case of emergency the Executive Committee may call special conventions
by a two-thirds vote of the committee."
Boudin of New York offered an amendment to the amendment that such
conventions shall only consider the matter specially provided for them.
Boudin took the floor in favor of his amendment and Solomon of Ne\?
York against it.
Boudin's amendment, on being put to a vote, was lost and Nuorteva's
amendment was carried.
Amendment by Katterfield of Washington to Section 4 of Article 3 t"nat
three years' consecutive membership in the party shall be necessary to qualify
for membership in the National Executive Committee and executive oificials.
Comrade Solomon of New York moved an amendment to the amendment
changing three years to five years.
Solomon spoke in favor of his amendment and Kruse of the Y. P. S. L.
spoke against it.
Previous question was called for and carried.
On being put, Solomon's amendment was lost and Katterfleld's motion
carried.
The flew Article 4, being put, was adopted.
There being no objection, the old Article 6 was struck out. ,,
Section 8 on page 3, as amended, was, by motion, adopted.
\ o
Article 5, Section 1, by motion, was adopted.
A substitute was offered by Lulow of New York that the National Sec-
retary be elected by referendum vote. Lost. ^
The section as read was, by a vote, adopted.
Section 2. Article 5— Second sentence in the old Section 2 was omitted.
Section 3— No change.
Section 4 is made into Article 6. ' ^
Old Section 8 becomes new Article 7.
New Section 3 becomes a little more inclusive.
The second section is revised.
New Article 8, Section 1, contains an addition that language federations
shall be permitted to send a delegate and one representative from the Y. P.
S. L. to an annual conference except in the years when national conventions
are held.
Boudin of New York spoke against this amendment, Hayden of Penn-
sylvania for it, Solomon of New York against it, Goebel for it.
Motion to adopt Article 8 was carried.
Article 9, Section 2 — An amendment was offered by Nuorteva so as to
make section read "or by a two-thirds vote' of the National Executive Com-
mittee." Carried.
Amendment to Section 4 offered by Nuorteva that instead of 300 dele-
gates to national conventions there shall be only 200 delegates. Carried.
Section 6 was struck out, because superfluous, by unanimous consent.
New Section 7 was amended by Work of Illinois by adding "vacancies
en the national tickets shall be filled by the National Executive Committee."
Carried.
Quinlan amended by inserting the words "to transact such other busi-
ness as the convention may deem fit." Carried.
Article 10, Section 1, was amended to close with the words, "Executive
Committee." Carried.
Section 6, Article 10, was amended to read: "The National Executive
Committee shall be authorized to levy special assessments when necessary."
Amendment by Meyers of Pennsylvania to raise the national dues from
five cents to ten cents.
Diehl of Illinois called for. the previous question, which, being put. carried.
Biedenkapp took the floor to speak for Work's amendment.
O'Neal of Massachusetts took the floor to speak in favor of Meyers
amendment.
The Meyers amendment was put to a vote and carried.
The section as amended was put to a vote and carried.
Section 7, Article 10, was amended by inserting the words "both regular
and special."
Lore of New York moved that last sentence of paragraph 3. fc^ection 7,
be struck out.
Dreifuss of Illinois moved to strike out the whoh; paragraph of Section 7
Previous question was called for and carried.
The Dreifuss amendment was withdrawn.
Lore's amendment was carried.
Section 9 as amended was adopted,
Article 11 was recommended by the fommittee to be stricken out. Adopted.
Section 10, Article 10, was also recommended by the committee t^ be
stricken out. Carried by vote of 58 to 27.
Cannon of New York took the floor to speak for recommendation.
Rawitch of Xew York took the floor opposed to the recommendation.
* Previous question was called for and, being put, was lost.
Oppenheimer took the floor to speak against the recommendations, Work
of Illinois in favor of the committee's recommendations.
By a vote of 58 to 27, the motion to strike out carried.
Old Article 12 was amended by striking out the second half.
Old Article 13 was amended by adding, "He shall receive railroad fare
and per diem from the party the same as the regular delegates," Including
Y. P. S. L.
On Article 2, Section 2, motion to adopt the recommendations of the
committee was adopted by a vote of 47 to 42.
Old Article 13, no change. Adopted.
Old Article 14, no change.
Old Article 15 amended by adding "Section entitled to elect one fraternal
delegate having a voice, but no vote to the national conventions. The Young
People's Socialist League shall be entitled to one fraternal delegate having
a voice, but no vote in the national convention.
A motion to adopt the report of the committee as a whole as amended.
Carried.
Delegates asked to be recorded as follows on votes already taken:
A. G. Sechrist of Oklahoma desires that his vote on the adoption of the
majority report of the War and Militarism Con^mittee be recorded no.
E. L. Moose of Oklahoma desires to have his name recorded as voting
against the adoption of the war program, as a whole.
Sample of Oklahoma wishes to change his vote on the final adoption of
the report on War and Militarism from "Yes" to "No."
Convention adjourned to meet tcmoirow at 8 o'clock.
GEORGE E. ROEWE, JR.,
Secretary.
' EIGHTH DAY SESSION.
Saturday Morning, April 14, 1917.
Following were nominated for Chairman: Ruthenberg of Ohio, ac-
cepted; Noonan of New York, accepted; O'Neal of Massachusetts, declined;
Goebel' of New Jersey, accepted; Henry of Indiana, accepted; Wagenknecht
of Ohio, declined; Hogan of Arkansas, declined.
By a vote of 46, Ruthenberg was, elected Chairman against a vote of 12
for Noonan, 42 for Goebel, 5 for Henry.
The following were nominated for Vice-Chairman: Noonan of New
York, declined; Goebel . of New Jersey, accepted; Spiess of Connecticut,
absent; Henry of Indiana, accepted.
Motion by Solomon of New York that this convention adjourn not later
than 11:30 this morning. Carried. -
4 ' .
o
o
o
Kj
By motion convention dispensed with the roll call and with the read-
ing of minutes.
A communication from the North Side Y. P. S^ L., Chicago, in re war
was, by motion, placed on file.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, Spargo offered two resolutions^
one to the management of the Planters Hotel and the other to Local St.
Louis, expressing to both deep appreciation of their attention and courtesy
extended to t'he Comrades during the convention.
Motion by Herman of Washington that we rescind action of this con-
vention whereby national office debt and this convention's expenses was
apportioned among the various States.
Substitute by Work of Illinois that 25 cents assessment be rescinded.
Motion by Quinlan of New Jersey that motion before the house be
tabled. Carried.
Pending motion by Solomon to reconsider the actu)n taken upon the
Non-Partisan League.
By a vote of 51 to 41, the motion was lost.
As a member of the Resolutions Committee, I am in agreement with
the spirit of the resolution on the Non-Partisan League, but not with its
wording and I wish so to be recorded.
■ ^•'^''''^^' '^ . JOSEPH ZIMMERMAN,
O'Neal of Massachusetts reported the Platform Committee.
■ Motion by Nuorteva of New York that convention decide to appoint or
leave it to the Executive Committee to appoint a committee of three in
order to draft a platform and submitting it to referendum vote ot the
jnembership as a whole.
Clifford of Ohio amended by offering the previous plattorm.
Motion by Biedenkapp of New York that above motion and amendment
be tabled. Carried.
O'Neal of Massachusetts continued reading majority report, copies or
which were distributed among delegates.
Barnes of Pennsylvania presented a minority report, copies ot which
were distributed among the delegates.
A motion was made to adopt the majority report.
A motion was made to adopt the minority report.
Howe of Illinois offered a substitute platform, copies of which were
distributed among the delegates.
Howe moved that his substitute be adopted.
O'Neal took the floor in favor of his motion.
Bloom of Massachusetts moved the previous questuui. which carneu.
Shiply took the floor for the majority report.
Clifford of Ohio took the floor in favor of the minority report as pr.
sented by Barnes. _
Knopfnagle took the floor in favor ot Howe s substiluK .
Howe's substitute, being put to a vote, was lost.
Barnes- minority report, being put to a vote, was adopted by a AOt.
'' '1 moiion by Sander of New York that the immediate demands in the
majority report be adopted. Carried.
w
V
w
>t.
^
V
\
An amendment to the platform was offered by Biedenbapp adding to
the program the following:
"Whereas, Strikes and other labor struggles of the workers in the past
years have demonstrated the insufficiency of the craft union form of oj-gan-
ization and its inability to cope with the modern highly developed capitalist
conditions of concentrated and co-ordinated industries now in the hands of
the industrial masters in form of a twentieth century labor-crushing machine;
be it therefore
"Resolved, That we declare it to be the duty of our agitators and of tlie
publishers of our papers and our literature to teach our members and friends
the principles of industrial unionism to enable them, not only to make
propaganda for our party and general principles of Socialism among their
fellow members of whatever union — craft or otherwise — to which they may
belong, but also to carry them, the message of common action against the
common enemy, and of industrial unionism generally, and thus hasten the
day when our party, in its struggle with the Beast of Capitalism, will not
stand any longer, as at present, with its back unprotected or outflanked by
the outposts of antiquated craft unionism, but will be backed by a powerful
revolutionary army of industrially organized workers, unconquerable and
victorious.
(Signed) WM. HIGGINS, Pennsylvania,
BIEDENKAPP, New York,
A. W. BERGGREN, New York."
Biedenkapp of New York took the floor in favor of his amendment.
A point of order was raised that this was out of order, and Chair not
upholding the point of order, was appealed from.
Vice-Chairman Henry of Indiana took the chair. The appeal was stated
and, by a vote of 63 to 60, the Chair was not sustained.
A motion to adopt the immediate demands as submitted by the com-
mittee was adopted.
"*"* The convention voted to send a telegram to Eugene Debs, reciprocating
the sentiments expressed in his telegram.
A motion by Diehl of Illinois that the platform as a whole be adopted.
Carried.
The following wished to be recorded as voting "No" on above motion:
Biedenkapp of New York, Bondin of New York, Lore of New York and
Quinlan^of New Jersey.
Comrade Prevey, for the Resolutions Committee, presented the following
resolutions, which were adopted;
"PETITION FOR PARDON.
"Whereas, In the County of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, the Crimi-
nal Court at Nos. 400 and 401, May Term, 1916, tried and found guilty of
riot and inciting to riot on May 1st and 2nd. 1916, Anna Goldberg, A. E.
Weston, George Zeber, H. H. Detwiler, Rudolph Blum, Mike Esaick and
Fred H. Mei^lck and sentenced them, respectively, to one year, nine months,
one year,' one year, eighteen months in jail each and six months and three
and one-half years in the work house, upon which sentences each and all
of the persons have served some time in the respective prisons, and
■..■.. - "
t
iH
^
\^^
ft
^^^
"Whereas, The evidence in the cases plainly show the sole obj( ct of all
the defendants in these cases was in a lawful manner only to obtain a
shorter workday for themselves and their fellow workers in the industries
in which they were en\i)loyed, and that at a time when there was general
agitation throughout the country in the industries and on the railroads to
obtain an eight-hour day and higher wages to meet the increased cost of
living. Now, therefore, ^be it
"Resolved By the Emergency National Convention of the Socialist Party
of America, assembled on this tenth day of April, 1917, that the Governor
of the State of Pennsylvania and the Board of Pardons of that State be
called upon to exercise their good offices and clemency and pardon the
above named persons."
"RESOLUTION.
"Whereas, William A. Prosser, a member of the Socialist i'arty of Pitts-
burg, Pennsylvania, has been arrested by the authorities of that city on the
charge of 'high treason' arising out of an address delivered by him Sunday,
April 8th, 1917, at the Lyceum Theater in that city on the subject of 'Mili-
tarism, a Philosophical Explanation and a Patriotic Protest,' in which he
opposed the present war to protect capitalist interests at home and abroad
and to conscription of the workers of the United States to fight the war.
"Be it Resolved, By the Emergency National Convention of the Socialist
Party at St. Louis, Missouri, assembled, that we send greetings to Comrade
Prosser and assure him of our unlimited support in the struggle for the
right of free speech and opposition to war and conscription.
"The above resolution is presented to this convention by the delegates
from Pennsylvania."
Resolution on International Congress was amended by Nuorteva of
Massachusetts and, after amended, adopted, reading as follows:
"RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO CALLING MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS.
"Whereas, The world war makes it more imperative than ever to have
a strong and effective international organization of the working c'lass to
resist capitalist aggression and capitalist wars; therefore be it
"Resolved, That the Socialist Party of the United States, in convention
assembled, instruct the National Executive Committee to take all iic(H>ssary
steps as may be advisable to accomplish this purpose to call a (•()iircren<'o
of the International at the earliest possible time; and be it furLlnM-
"Resolved, That in countries where the party has been split during tlio
war the various groups now existing which were a part of the party herort'
the war have representation as well as the ofllcial party,"
The following w^ere also adopted and read:
"Whereas, The motion picture, in its process ot (Icvclopnumt, has be-
come a most powerful weapon of expression, and
"Whereas, The brains and creative genius of the working class are being
enlisted in the development of the silent drama, and
"Whereas, We are forced to realize the value of freedom in this new
mod© of expression that appeals so strongly to the working class. Be it
,h.t r k' J '^" ^""'""'^ ''''''^' ^^ "^"^'^^l convention assembled
thauvve hereby declare against motion picture censorship in all of TtsTorm!'
and call upon the elected officials of the Socialist .Party 'n the Nat on IZ:
rn^hr:;:srpt::r^^ ^'^^ ^"^-^ ^^ ^-^ - ---- -^f ^
"REPORT OF RESOLUTION COMMITTEE OX LABOR ORGANIZATION'S
AND THEIR RELATION TO THE SOCIALIST PARTY
"Political organisation, and economic organization are alike necessary in
Lnf"^; '.■""''"' '^"^^ emancipation. The most harmonious ela
tions ought to exist between the two great forces of the working class move-
ment-the Socialist Party and the labor unions
"The labor movement of the United States has of recent years made
oiarvelous progress in all directions. It has steadily increased [u numbers
has f;V" .'^''" '"' ^^'^^^^^^^ ^^'^'^^ ^^-"-^ ^^^---^ unorganizef
has m many instances concentrated its power and increased its efficiency
by the amalgamation of related trades into federations and industrial unTons
Many unions have opened their meetings and journals to the discussion of
vita, social and political problems of the working class, and have r^Tated
the demoralizing politics represented by the National Civic Federation The
organized workers are rapidly developing an enlightened and militant class
consciousness. ^
w,-th"'^\' TT"" °' '"''" '''''^"''' '' ^""'^"^^ '''' ^^^ in^^-easing virulence
v^ith which the organized capitalists wage their war against the union
This improved economic organization is not a matter of abstract theory but
^''""l.Tf'^ experience of the wage workers in the daily class struggle
The Socialist Party, therefore, calls the attention of the men and women
m the labor unions to the vital importance of the task of organizing the
unorganized, especially the immigrants and the unskilled laborers, regardless
of race, who stand in greatest need of organized protection and who will
constitute a great menace to the progress and welfare of organized labor if
they remain neglected. The Socialist Party will ever be ready to co-operate
with the labor union in the task of organizing the unorganized workers, and
urges all labor organizations, which have not already done so, to throw
their doors wide open to the workers of their respective trades and indus-
tries, abolishing all onerous conditions of membership and artificial restric-
tions, with the view that their organizations be eventually developed into
industrial, as well as militant, class-conscious and revolutionary union con-
sistent with the development of the industries.
"In the face of the tremendous powers of the American capitalists and
their close industrial and political union, the workers of this country can
win their battles only through a strong class-consciousness and closely united
organization on the economic field, a powerful and militant partv' on the
political field and by joint attack of both on the common enemy.
"It 18 the duty of the part^ to g;ve moral and material support to the
labor organizations in all their defensive or aggressive struggles against
capitalist oppression and exploitation, for the protection and extension of
the rights of the wage workers and the betterment of their material and
social condition. It is also the duty of th'^ n^embers of the Socialist Party who '
1
o
J
are eligible to membership in the unions to join and be achvi
respective labor organization."
II Hicii
•'RESOLUTION.
"Be it Resolved, By the Emergency Convention of the Socialist Party
that we commend Comrade London for his fight against war and militarism
as consistent with Socialist loyalty."
••RKStJLU'lMDN.
"Whereas, The Socialist Representatives ;iiul Sciiatots in Congress should
function as the exponents of the collective will of ibe workers conu)rising
the Socialist Party rather than as individuals; liierefdrc. lie It
"Resolved, By the Socialist Party, in coiivenlion .isKiiiibted, that the
National Executive Comriiittee act as an Advisory ('niuiuitlee tn :ill elected
Socialist officials in Congress."
"RESOLUTION.
"Resolved, That this convention of the Socialist Party (l'miiiiil:i ttuil
the charges of Congressman Calloway and others with ret'ereiMC i<i the
control of the press of America, or a large portion iheieof. 1»> tnn i^n ^,'nv
ernments or aliens, in combination with many ttrnis iuid individuals ni'
Americans, who are profiting by this war or acting as the ;ih'eiiis i>l' rorelt.^11
nations, and the use of this press to stir up public opinion in Aiu'-rlca lor
war or other purposes in the interest of these foreign governments. \w
investigated by the Congress of the U'nited States as a matter of the greiiteid
importance in the war and its conduct and for the protection oi .A.nieric;i and
its democracy from the encroachments of these foreign goverrinieiits,"
'•RESOLUTION.
"Whereas, The subscription lists of the privately-owned Socialist paiiers
and periodicals have been largely built up through the activities and sacri-
fices of members of the Socialist Party and the party organizations; there-
fore, be it
"Resolved, By the Socialist Party in convention assembled, that tbe pro-
prietors of said privately-owned Socialist papers and periodicals should si'Ud
copies of their subscription lists to organizations of the Socialist Partv when
such lists are officially asked for by the party organizations I'or use in tin'
work of the party."
A motion to table the following resolution was can ied.
"RESOLUTION ON THE PARTY I'ltl'.SS.
"Whereas, Certain publications, among them llic Milvviinl>er Leader,
Appeal to Reason, Western Comrade, Pearson's. I'lnliiiluK lo leiuesuu the
Socialist Party, some of them privately owned ;ind eontrolled, li:»ve supported
policies not in accord with the declared iirituiples i>i Ibe parly and some
having emphasized certain principles, to the exdnsUm of others more fun-
damental and important; therefore, be It
"Resolved, That we condemn such editorial policies as not being repre-
sentative of the Socialist Party.
!t -
"Resolved,- That as these offending publications owe their existence to
the organized Socialists of the United States, who have contributed to their
support in many ways, we urge our members to support only such publi-
cations that support the declared principles and policies of the Socfalist
Party."
Comrade Caldwell of Rhode Island took the floor to report for the Com-
mittee on Organization.
Moved that the convention adopt the recommendations of the committee
to refer the report to the E.xecutive Committee.
Wagenknecht of Ohio for the minority report moved that both the ma-
jority and minority report of the Committee on Organization be referred to
the Executive Committee, with the understanding- that both reports be sent
to all the delegates and state secretaries in printed form. Carried.
Motion by Katterfeld that in the event of the adoption of the new con-
stitution the call for nominations for the new National Executive Committee
be sent out immediately.
Goebel of New Jersey amended above motion to read that the present
live National Executive Committee members hold over and ten additional
members be elected. :VIotion and amendment lost.
Boudin took the floor on behalf of the Committee on War and Militarism;
read an address to the Socialists of the belligerent countries, copies of which
•were distributed among the delegates.
-Motion by Sadler that the National Executive Committee be instructed
to instruct Representative London to resurrect in Congress the bills to re-
imburse the Socialists of Seattle for damage to their property in the Seattle
Potlatch riots. Carried.
Motion by Goebel of New .Jersey that the action of all previous conven-
tions in payment of the secretaries of the convention be followed. Carried.
Motion by Lore of New York that section 3 of the old platform, pledging
us to referendum of defensive war be stricken out. Carried.
Whereas, Miss Goldstein has put in her entire time as an assistant sec-
retary to this convention, and not being a delegate, her traveling expenses
to St. Louis have not been provided for, therefore, be it
Resolved, that this convention authorize the national secretary to pay
her traveling expenses and per diem, the same as delegates. Carried.
I voted against the resolution on "The Relation of the Socialist Party to
the Trade Unions," because I believed it incorrectly stated the case. Only
one or two branches of labor organizations repudiated the Civic Federation,
and they do not sufficiently represent the labor movement.
Patrick L. Quinlan,
■ ' New Jersey.
10
€)
I
0^
Qu
I wish to be recorded as having voted against the adoption of the plat-
form by the convention. I hold that the platform does not express the views
of the membership.
Patrick L. Quinlan,
New Jersey.
The meeting closed with a speech by Ruthenberg, followed by three
cheers for our declaration, in regard to the war and the social revolution.
Meeting adjourned sine die at 11:10 a. M.
George E. Roewer, Jr.,
Secretary.
11
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11