Page:American Syndicalism (Brooks 1913).djvu/97

Rh Their resources were then and there sorely strained to control a membership so diverse in fundamental ideas of social reconstruction.

Of the year that followed before the convention of 1906, Mr. St. John writes as General Secretary:

"The first year of the organization was one of internal struggle for control by these different elements. The two camps of Socialist politicians looked upon the I. W. W. only as a battle ground on which to settle their respective merits and demerits. The Labor fakirs strove to fasten themselves upon the organization that they might continue to exist if the new Union was a success. The anarchist element did not interfere to any great extent in the internal affairs."

Even in the socialist "Western Federation of Miners" irreconcilable differences soon appeared. The Secretary says: "The radical element in the W. F. M. were finally able to force their officials to withdraw their support. The old officials of the I. W. W. then gave up all pretence of having an organization."

A fighting plan was next developed and several "successful" battles fought with the employing class. Their organ, The Industrial Worker, was started and the first steps taken toward the defense-fund to save Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone, the jailed officials of the Western Federation. Under the title, "Shall our Brothers be Murdered?" and identifying the issue with the Moyer and Haywood cause with their "basic principle,"—the class struggle, the open propaganda was now fairly under way.

The second convention (1906) brought eighty-three delegates, "representing 6o,000 members." A tussle