Page:The I. W. W.; Its History, Structure, and Methods.pdf/5



In the fall of 1904 six active workers in the revolutionary labor movement held a conference. After exchanging views and discussing the conditions then confronting the workers of the United States, they decided to issue a call for a larger gathering.

These six workers were Isaac Cowen, American representative of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers of Great Britain, Clarence Smith, general secretary-treasurer of the American Labor Union, Thomas J. Hagerty, editor of the “Voice of Labor,” official organ of the A. L. U., George Estes, president of the United Brotherhood of Railway EmployesEmployees [sic], W. L. Hall, general secretary-treasurer U. B. R. E., and Wm. E. Trautmann, editor of the “Brauer Zeitung,” the official organ of the United Brewery Workers of America.

Invitations were then sent out to thirty-six additional individuals who were active in the radical labor organizations and the socialist political movement of the United States inviting them to meet in secret conference in Chicago, Illinois, January 2, 1905.

Of the thirty-six who received the invitation, but two declined to attend the proposed conference—Max S. Hayes and Victor Berger—both of whom were in editorial charge of socialist political party and trade union organs.

The conference met at the appointed time with thirty present, and drew up the Industrial Union Manifesto calling for a convention to be held in Chicago, June 27, 1905, for the purpose of launching an organization in