The 1905 Proceedings of the Founding Convention of the Industrial Workers of the World : Tuesday June 27 through Saturday July 8th, 1905

Publisher's Note and Transcriber's Note

It is, we think, with pardonable pride, that we present this book to the reader—pride, not only in our share of the work of producing the book, which the elaborate index renders all the more useful, but pride in the zeal of all those who have helped us preserve to the Labor Movement of the world a great historic document, the importance of which will grow by the day. But, greater by far, is our joy, that at last there has been organized a great class conscious economic organization of the Working Class. In the years to come, the student of economics and sociology will find the record of the first convention of the Industrial Workers of the World a landmark, from which to date the great forward movement of the Labor Movement in Amer... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 1, Morning Session : Tuesday, June 27, 1905

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World. FIRST DAY. Tuesday, June 27, 1905. MORNING SESSION. The convention called in accordance with the terms of the Manifesto issued by the Chicago Conference, January 2, 3, 4, 1905, and which before final adjournment organized the Industrial Workers of the World, met at Brand’s Hall, Chicago, Tuesday, June 27, 1905, at ten o’clock A. M. The convention was called to order by William D. Haywood, in the following words: MR. HAYWOOD: Fellow Workers: In calling this convention to order I do so with a sense of the responsibility that rests upon me and rests upon every delegate that is here assembled. This is the Continental Congress of the working class. We are here to confederate the... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 1, Afternoon Session : Tuesday, June 27, 1905

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World FIRST DAY Tuesday, June 27, 1905 AFTERNOON SESSION—June 27 The convention was called to order at two o’clock, W. D. Haywood in the chair. The report of the Credentials Committee was called for, but the Committee not being ready to report a recess was taken. At 2.35 P. M. the convention re-assembled, and W. E. Trautmann read the following report of the Committee on Credentials: FIRST REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. The following delegates or unions with full power to install have submitted credentials to the Conference Credentials Committee: Bakers’ and Confectioners’ Union No. 48, Montreal, Canada, represented by R. J. Kerrigan and W. T. Leach, thirty-five vo... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 2, Morning Session : Wednesday, June 28

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SECOND DAY— Wednesday, June 28 MORNING SESSION. The convention was called to order at nine A. M. by Chairman Haywood. CREDENTIALS. Delegate White, of the Committee on Credentials, presented a report, in connection with which certain delegates were requested to appear before the Credentials Committee and explain their credentials. The committee recommended that J. W. Sunagel, representing the German Central Labor Union, Chicago, be given one vote, and that the case of that organization be referred to the convention to take such action as might be deemed proper. The report was acted on a little later in the session, in detail, and will be found in full at that place in this report. D... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 2, Afternoon Session : Wednesday, June 28

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SECOND DAY Wednesday, June 28 AFTERNOON SESSION The convention was called to order at 2 M. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned the status of delegates was under discussion. Delegate Hagerty has the floor. DEL. T. J. HAGERTY: I wish to call the attention of those who have been discussing this question of representation to the paragraph in the call for this convention which sets forth in ummistakable terms the conditions upon which representation in this gathering is to be based, to wit: “Representation in the convention shall be based upon the number of workers whom the delegate represents. No delegate, however, shall be given representation in the convention on the numerica... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 3, Morning Session : Thursday, June 29

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World THIRD DAY Thursday, June 29 MORNING SESSION The convention was called to order at 9.20 A. M. by Chairman Haywood. The Secretary called the roll of delegates. The minutes of the first day’s session were read by the Secretary, and there being no corrections, were declared approved. The minutes of the second day’s session were then read. THE CHAIRMAN: You have heard the reading of the second day’s minutes. Are there any corrections? DEL. CLARENCE SMITH: The minutes as read do not show that the motion with regard to the convention desiring a stenographic report was adopted. THE CHAIRMAN: The Secretary will note the correction. Are there any other corrections? If not, the mi... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 3, Afternoon Session : Thursday, June 29

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World THIRD DAY Thursday, June 29 AFTERNOON SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order about one o’clock. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned we were under the head of discussion of the reason for the Manifesto. SPEECH OF A. KLEMENSIC, PUEBLO. DEL. KLEMENSIC: Brother Chairman, Brother Delegates and Sister Delegates: As I understand the conditions in this country since I landed on these shores fifteen years ago, in 1890, I have seen that there is a bottom, a main philosophy to be found among the working class which form the pedestal to the capitalist class. The prevailing philosophy is this: “Get rich quick; honestly if you can, but get rich anyhow.” ... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 4, Morning Session : Friday, June 30

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World FOURTH DAY Friday, June 30 MORNING SESSION The convention was called to order shortly after nine o’clock by Chairman Haywood. The roll of members was called by Secretary Trautmann. Minutes of the previous day’s meeting were read by the Secretary, and there being no corrections, were declared approved. A communication from Manager Greenebaum, of the Indiana Transportation Company, was read and placed on file. Secretary Trautmann: Here is a resolution, handed in by a club that was organized as an Industrial Union Workers’ Club, with the names attached to the resolution to be handed in. It is too lengthy to be read now. I have given it to the Resolutions Committee. DEL. MOY... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 5, Morning Session : Saturday, July 1

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World FIFTH DAY Saturday, July 1 MORNING SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at nine o’clock. On motion the calling of the roll of delegates was dispensed with. Secretary Trautmann read the minutes of the previous session, and there being no corrections, the minutes were declared approved as read. COMMUNICATION The Secretary read the following telegram from Cleveland, Ohio, and it was ordered placed on file. Cleveland, Ohio, June 30. Industrial Union Convention, Brand’s Hall, cor. Clark and Erie streets, Chicago. Fraternal greetings. May the proceedings of your convention realize the hopes of all class-conscious workingmen. SOCIALISTISCHE ARBEITER ZEITUNG, Ge... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 6, Morning Session : Monday, July 3

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SIXTH DAY Monday, July 3 MORNING SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at 9.30 A. M. The roll call of delegates was on motion dispensed with. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous session, and there being no corrections, they were approved as read. COMMUNICATIONS. The following communications were read by the Secretary and ordered placed on file: Hoboken, N. J., July 2. Wm. E. Trautmann, Industrial Union Convention Hall, Clark and Erie streets. Chairman and Delegates:—Greetings. Our best wishes to succeed in your important work. Smash the labor fakirs and traitors. Twist the ropes to hang Gompers, Mitchell & Co. Three cheers for the new class-consc... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 6, Afternoon Session : Monday, July 3

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SIXTH DAY Monday, July 3 AFTERNOON SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at one o’clock P. M., and called Del. Coates to take his place as Chairman. RESOLUTIONS. Del. McDonald, on behalf of the Committee on Organization, reported back Resolution No. 16, offered by Delegates Trautmann, Hagerty and De Leon, and Resolution No. 18, offered by Delegate Chas. Kiehn, with a recommendation that the convention adopt No. 18 in place of No. 16. DEL. LA MONTE: Comrade Chairman, I desire to know whether this resolution, which the committee recommends, ties up this body with the International Socialist Bureau at Brussels, Belgium, or whether it opens this up to communication with ... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 7, Morning Session : Tuesday, July 4

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SEVENTH DAY Tuesday, July 4 MORNING SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at nine o’clock A. M. On motion the calling of the roll of delegates was dispensed with. Secretary Trautmann read the minutes of the previous day’s proceedings. THE CHAIRMAN: You have heard the minutes. Are there any corrections? DEL. SAUNDERS: I don’t know whether there was any action taken or whether there was a report on a resolution that I presented two days ago in regard to the eligibility of members. I am not quite sure as to where it was referred to, whether to the Constitution Committee or the Resolutions Committee or what, but I have heard nothing of it since. I would like ... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 7, Afternoon Session : Tuesday, July 4

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World SEVENTH DAY Tuesday, July 4 AFTERNOON SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at 2 P. M. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned it was to meet at two o’clock and take up the report of the Committee on Constitution. Is the Committee on Constitution ready to report? The committee not being ready to report, a recess was taken, and the convention reassembled at 2.50 P. M. THE CHAIRMAN: Have the different groups selected their members for the Ritual Committee? RITUAL COMMITTEE The various groups handed in their selections, and the Chairman announced the following as the Committee on Ritual: American Labor Union—W. Shurtleff. S. T. & L. A.—S. J. Fren... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 8, Morning Session : Wednesday, July 5

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World EIGHTH DAY Wednesday, July 5 MORNING SESSION The convention was called to order at 9.20 by Chairman Haywood. The roll of delegates was called by the Secretary. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous day’s sessions. CHAIRMAN: You have heard the reading of the minutes. Are there any corrections? I would ask that the Secretary insert the correct number where the vote on the roll call occurs. THE SECRETARY: The number was 47,728 against the amendment; 3,540 for the amendment. The minutes were then approved. Communication. The following communication was received from the Socialist Labor Party at Pittsburg, Pa., and on motion it was placed on file: Pittsburg, Pa., July 4. The... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 8, Afternoon Session : Wednesday, July 5

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World EIGHTH DAY Wednesday, July 5 AFTERNOON SESSION The convention met at one o’clock. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned we had under discussion the amendment offered by Delegate Coates to Section 2, Article 1. Delegate Simons has the floor. DEL. SIMONS: I am not one of those that think that the organization is going to go to wreck and ruin if either side prevails here, but I do feel that there are a few things that incline me to support the amendment, and I hope that what I have to say will be put in such a way that it will apply directly to the question in hand. It seems to me as if a great deal of talk on this subject has taken the universe for a field and humanity for a theme,... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 9, Morning Session : Thursday, July 6

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World NINTH DAY Thursday, July 6 MORNING SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at nine o’clock. THE CHAIRMAN: While we are waiting for the Secretary the Chair will announce the committee selected to fill vacancies on the Ratification Committee: M. E. White, Lynch, Starkenberg and Mrs. Forberg. On motion the roll call of delegates was dispensed with. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous day, and they were approved. A communication was read from Local Union No. 9, Brewery Workers; Milwaukee, contributing $25 toward the stenographic report. The Credential Committee and special committees had no reports to make. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION. THE CHAIRMAN: ... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 9, Afternoon Session : Thursday, July 6

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World NINTH DAY Thursday, July 6 AFTERNOON SESSION The convention was called to order by Chairman Haywood at 1.25 P.M. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned we had just disposed of the motion to refer. The motion now occurs on the adoption of Section 2 of Article I of the constitution as recommended by the committee. Secretary Trautmann: I would ask, in order to eliminate too much discussion, the consent of the Constitution Committee to insert in their report on Section 2 the following clause: “Shall consist of thirteen industrial divisions subdivided into industrial unions of closely connected industries in the appropriate organizations for representation in the departmental administr... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 10, Morning Session : Friday, July 7

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World TENTH DAY Friday, July 7 MORNING SESSION Chairman Haywood called the convention to order at 9.30 A. M. On motion the roll call was dispensed with. The minutes of the previous day were read by the Secretary. DEL. CLARENCE SMITH: The minutes referred to the motion made by me yesterday that the monthly dues shall be not less than fifty cents per month, but it does not state that that was the motion, nor does it state that the motion was withdrawn upon the distinct understanding with the Constitution Committee that the constitution meant that the dues should not be less than fifty cents per month, but could he more than fifty cents per month. I would request the Secretary to have the minutes re... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 10, Afternoon Session : Friday, July 7

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World TENTH DAY Friday, July 7 AFTERNOON SESSION The convention reconvened at 1.20 P. M. THE CHAIRMAN: When the convention adjourned it was under the head of new business. There being no further new business, we will take up the reports of committees. AUDITING COMMITTEE. DEL. SAUNDERS: As a member of the Auditing Committee I beg leave to submit the report of that Auditing Committee, if there is no objection. Mr. Chairman and Fellow Delegates, your Auditing Committee wish to say that we have gone over the books thoroughly and taken a great deal of time; not only going over the books, but we might say that we have gone over them two or three times in order that there should be no mistake; that the... (From: Marxists.org.)

Day 11, Morning Session : Saturday, July 8

CONVENTION Industrial Workers of the World ELEVENTH DAY Saturday, July 8 MORNING SESSION Owing to the slowness of the delegates in gathering, the convention was not called to order until shortly before nine o’clock A. M. The minutes not being present at the opening, the reading of the minutes of the previous day’s proceedings was postponed. On motion the roll call of delegates was dispensed with. Communications were called for, but there were none to be brought before the convention. The Credential Committee announced that it had no further report to make. Special committees were called for. DEL. WHITE: Under the head of special committees, I will say that we are $5 short on the expenses of the meeting last night. The ... (From: Marxists.org.)

Appendix, Part 1

RATIFICATION MEETING Appendix, Part I INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD, CHICAGO, JULY 7. Speeches Delivered by: THOMAS J. HAGERTY, THOS. POWERS, WM. D. HAYWOOD, CHAS. O. SHERMAN, WILLIAM E. TRAUTMAN, PAT O’NEIL MISS LUELLA TWINING, Presiding. A meeting to ratify the work of the Chicago convention in forming the Industrial Workers of the World, was held at Brand’s Hall, in that city, on Friday evening, July 7, at 8 o’clock. The hall was completely filled, and many people were compelled to stand throughout the meeting. The greatest enthusiasm was manifested as the different speakers explained the purposes of the organization. Miss Luella Twining, of Pueblo, Colorado, representing the American Federal Union... (From: TheAnarchistLibrary.org.)

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