BANCROFT LIBRARY THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 'WcT:'^:^:^viw:*ru CONSTITUTION " f "-' ''""" OF THE J Western Federation ox Miners AftiliatedwitL A. F. ofL. ADOPTED AT BUTTE CITY, MONT. May 19, 1893 Amended at Salt Lake City, Utah, 1894. Amended at Denver, Colorado, 1895. Amended at Denver, Colorado, 1896. Amended at Salt Lake City, Utah, 1897. Amended at Salt Lake City, Utah, 1898. Amended at Salt Lake City, Utah, 1899. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1900. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1901. Amended and revised at Denver, Colorado, November, 1901. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1902. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1903. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1904. Amended at Salt Lake City, Utah, 1905. Amended at Denver, Colorado, May, 1906. Amended at Denver, Colorado, June, 4907. Amended at Denver, Colorado, July, 1908. Amended at Denver, Colorado, July, 1909. Amended at Denver, Colorado, July, 1910. Amended at Butte, Montana, July, 1911. Amended at Victor, Colorado, July, 1912. Amended at Denver, Colorado, July, 1914. Great ^Veste^n Pub. Co.. Denver . ^ '1 1 I I; I; /> U ( lU7Jr PREAMBLE /^/^ 1 1. We hold that there is a class struggle In 2 Society and that this struggle is caused by eco- 3 nomic conditions. 4 2. We affirm the economic condition of the 5 producer to be that he is exploited of the wealth 6 which he produces, being allowed to retain 7 barely sufficient for his elementary necessities. 8 3. We hold that the class struggle will 9 continue until the producer is recognized as 10 the sole master of his product. 11 4. We assert that the working class, and 12 it alone, can and must achieve its own eman- 13 cipation. 14 5. We hold, finally, that an industrial union 15 and the concerted political action of all wage 16 workers, is the only method of attaining this 17 end. 18 6. Therefore, we, the wage slaves, em- 19 ployed in and around the mines, mills, smel- 20 ters, tunnels, open pits and open cuts, have 21 associated in the Western Federation of 22 Miners. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I. 1 Section 1. This organization shall be known 2 as the Western Federation of Miners, and shall 3 be composed of all persons working in and 4 around mines, mills, smelters, tunnels, open 5 pits and open cuts, organized into unions pay- 6 ing per capita tax to the Federation. 7 Sec. 2. The objects of this organization 8 shall be to unite the various persons working 9 in and around the mines, mills, smelters, tun- 10 nels, open pits and open cuts, inlo one central 11 body, to practice those virtues that adorn so- 12 ciety and remind man of his duty to his fellow 13 man, the elevation of his position and the main- 14 tenance of the rights of the workers to in- 15 crease the wages and improve the conditions of 16 employment of our members by legislation, 17 conciliation, joint agreements or strikes. 18 Sec. 3. Whenever twenty or more persons, 19 working as specified in Section 1 of this article, 20 shall be found that will be self-supporting, 21 they shall, on application, be granted a char- 22 ter. Provided that no charter shall be issued 23 the effect of which is to segregate the crafts 24 engaged in the mining industry. ARTICLE II. Convention. 25 Section 1. This Federation shall hold its bi- 26 ennial convention on the third Monday in July, 27 at such place as the convention shall designate 28 before adjournment of any session thereof. 29 Sec. 2. Each union shall be entitled to one 30 delegate for one hundred members or less, and 31 one for each additional one hundred or major- 32 ity fraction thereof. Provided, no delegate shall 33 in any event, either holding proxy votes or rep- 34 resenting a union entitled to a greater number, 35 cast more than five votes. 1 Sec. 3. Representation in the biennial con- 2 vention shall be based on the April report 3 prior to the holding of the convention, and the 4 January report of each year shall be an annual 5 report; provided, in case a special convention 6 is held, the representation shall be based on 7 the last monthly report prior to the calling of 8 the special convention. 9 Sec. 4. Each union shall elect a delegate or 10 delegates and alternates to attend the biennial 11 convention of the Federation. Such delegates 12 and alternates shall be nominated and elected 13 in compliance with Section 1, Article XIV of 14 the Constitution, and said election of delegates 15 and alternates shall take place at the semi-an- 16 nual election of all local unions, the first meet- 17 ing in June. The alternate delegate shall only 18 attend and be entitled to a seat in the conven- 19 tion when the regularly elected delegate fails, 20 refuses or is unable to be present to discharge 21 his duties. To be eligible, a delegate or alter- 22 nate must be a bona fide wage worker in the 23 jurisdiction of his local union, or one who is 24 employed by his local union, or the Western 25 Federation of Miners, having a membership in 26 good standing in the Western Federation of 27 Miners for a period of not less than one year, 28 immediately preceding the date of his nomina- 29 tion; provided, however, that the provisions of 30 this section shall not apply to the unions and 31 members thereof which have been organized 32 for a length of time less than that mentioned 33 herein. Delegates shall present their creden- 34 tials and have them passed upon before taking 35 their seats in the convention. Delegates in at- 36 tendance at the convention and absenting them- 37 selves without permission from the sessions 38 thereof shall not be entitled to their per diem 39 for any day, or part of a day, upon which they 40 were absent. Duplicate credentials must be in 4 1 the hands of the Secretary-Treasurer at least 2 fifteen days prior to the meeting of the con- 3 vention. No local union shall be entitled to 4 representation in the convention which has not 5 complied with the Constitution of, the Federa- 6 tion. All proxy credential certificates must be 7 sent direct to the delegates named thereon, and . 8 the duplicate certificate to the Secretary-Treas- 9 urer at headquarters fifteen days prior to the 10 meeting of the biennial convention. 11 Sec. 5. Delegates representing a majority 12 of the unions comprising the Federation shall 13 constitute a quorum. 14 Sec. 6. Ladies' Auxiliaries of the Western 15 Federation of Miners shall be entitled to one 16 delegate with one vote for each auxiliary in 17 good standing and transportation expenses for 18 said delegate shall be paid by the Federation. Pay of Delegates. 19 Sec. 7. The pay of each delegate to the bi- 20 ennial convention shall not be less than $5.00 21 per day, which shall be paid by the union he 22 represents. 23 The Federation shall pay the transportation 24 expenses of one delegate from each union in 25 good standing. Any union electing more than 26 one delegate shall pay transportation expenses 27 on all delegates elected above that number. 28 Secretaries of all local unions shall insert on 29 credential card the name of delegate entitled 30 to mileage at headquarters. ARTICLE III. Nomination and Election of Officers. 31 Section 1. The officers of the Federation 32 shall consist of the President, Vice-President, 33 Secretary-Treasurer, and four other Executive 34 Board members, all of whom shall be elected 35 by a vote of the membership. 1 Sec. 2. The call, with blanks for nomina- 2 tions, shall be Issued by the Secretary-Treas- 3 urer on the first day of March in each even 4 numbered year. Each local may nominate one 5 candidate for each office, but the name of no 6 candidate shall be placed on the ballot unless 7 nominated by at least five locals. 8 Sec. 3. The returns, of the nominations 9 must be in the hands of the Secretary-Treas- 10 urer of the Western Federation of Miners not 11 later than the 15th day of April; provided, that 12 any local that cannot be reached by mail may 13 use telegraph or other means of communica- 14 tion. 15 Sec. 4. The Secretary-Treasurer shall im- 16 mediately notify each nominee of his nomina- 17 tion, and his acceptance, together with a state- 18 ment certifying to the eligibility of the nom- 19 inee for the office for which he is nominated 20 according to the provisions of this Constitution, 21 must be in the hands of the Secretar^-Treas- 22 urer not later than May 10th. 23 Sec. 5. The Secretary-Treasurer shall send 24 to each local union a sufficient number of bal- 25 lots for the members thereof on which shall be 26 printed in full the names of all eligible candi- 27 dates. The voting shall take place at the regu- 28 lar June election of that year. 29 Sec. 6. The Secretaries of the local unions 30 shall immediately after election send the bal- 31 lots and returns of the election to headquar- 32 ters, said returns to be signed by the judges of iio election, countersigned by the Secretary and 34 bear the seal of the local union. The returns 35 shall be sent to headquarters in a special en- 36 velope provided by headquarters on which 37 shall be printed the words "Election Returns," 38 these returns and the ballots to be held intact 39 until the convening of the Convention. 40 Sec. 7. At the Convention a committee of 6 1 three shall be elected to canvass the returns, 2 the ballots to be held intact until the close of 3 the Convention, after which, if no contest is 4 made, these ballots shall be destroyed. 5 Sec. 8. For the offices of President, Vice- 6 President and Secretary-Treasurer the candi- 7 dates receiving the highest number of votes 8 for each of those respective offices shall be 9 elected, and the four candidates for Executive 10 Board members receiving the four highest 11 number of votes shall be declared elected. 12 Sec. 9. All officers elected to be installed 13 at the Convention or, if absent, as soon there- 14 after as possible, and they shall take office on 15 the 1st day of September following. 16 Sec. 10. Delegates to the American Feder- 17 ation of Labor Convention shall be elected an- 18 nually, according to the same provisions for 19 the election of officers in the biennial election. 20 Sec. 11. The candidates receiv- 21 ing the highest number of votes shall 22 be declared elected. 23 Sec. 12. The candidates receiv- 24 ing the next highest number of votes 25 shall be declared alternates. 26 Sec. 13. Delegates to the American Fed- 27 eration of Labor shall receive the same pay as 28 Delegates to the Western Federation of Miners' 29 Convention. 30 Sec. 14. To be eligible to any elective 31 office, or Delegate to the American Federation 32 of Labor Convention, the same qualification 33 shall be required as those provided in this 34 Constitution for Delegates to the Western Fed- 35 eration of Miners' Convention. 36 Sec. 15. All nominations shall be open 37 in each local the first meeting in March and 38 remain open for three regular meetings. The 39 choice of the local shall be determined through 40 elecion by ballot. Said nomination election 41 to be held on the day of the fourth regular 7 1 meeting in March. The polls shall be held 2 open on election day from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. in 3 all locals and notice of said election shall be 4 given by posting same in the local's office and 5 hall and inserting in the local press wherever 6 possible. The candidates receiving the highest 7 number of votes in the nomination election 8 shall be declared the nominee of the local. Recall of Officers. 9 Sec. 16. On petition for the recall of an 10 official of the Western Federation of Miners 11 signed by not less than ten per cent of the 12 membership of the Federation in good stand- 13 ing from not less than ten local unions of the 14 Western Federation of Miners, it shall be the 15 imperative duty of the Executive Board to call 16 for a referendum vote of the entire member- 17 ship in the manner provided for in Section 10, 18 Article IV. ARTICLE IV. Duties of President. 19 Section 1. It is the duty of the President to 20 preside at all meetings of the Federation, pre- uj. serve order, enforce the Constitution and watch 22 vigilantly over the interests and affairs of the 23 Federation. In this he shall be assisted by all 24 the officers of the Federation. He shall have 25 the right to vote at the election of officers, and 26 when the members are equally divided he shall 27 have the deciding vote on the question under 28 consideration. He shall sign all orders drawn 29 by the Secretary-Treasurer, in complance with 30 a vote of the majority at any session of the 31 Executive Board. He shall, with the approval 32 of the Executive Board, fill all vacancies occur- 33 ring in the Executive Board, or in the offices 34 of Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. He 35 may, with the approval of the Executive Board, 1 appoint such organizers as the condition of the 2 Federation may justify. Said organizers shall 3 at all times act under the instructions of the 4 President, and they shall receive not less than 5 $100.00 per month for such time as they are 6 actually employed, together with transporta- 7 tion expenses, and they shall report to the of- 8 fice of the Federation in writing at least once 9 each week, while in the employ of the Federa- 10 tion as organizers. The President shall visit 11 each district once each year, and visit as many 12 unions as the conditions of the Federation will 13 permit; and he may also examine the books of 14 any union he visits, provided he has time so 15 to do, in order to ascertain if each union is 16 paying its share of the maintenance of the 17 Federation. He shall communicate with persons 18 living in places where the Federation does not 19 exist, and have them organized, if possible. He 20 may convene the Executive Board when, in his 21 opinion, the affairs of the Federation will justi- 22 fy the same; and he may, with the approval of 23 the Executive Board, call an extra convention 24 of the Federation, and he shall, on the written 25 request of six members of the Executive Board 26 or on written request of ten unions having a 27 combined membership of 7,500, call an extra 28 convention of the Federation, --e shall be and 29 he is hereby constituted the trustee to sell, 30 transfer or encumber in any manner and to 31 any extent that he deems for the best interests 32 of the Federation, any and all real and per- 33 sonal property, except the funas of the Western 34 Federation of Miners, with the concurrence 35 and under the direction of the Executive Board 36 of the Federation, or a convention duly called 37 and assembled, and he shall execute all such 38 documents in manner following: The Western 39 Federation of Miners, by , Trustee. 40 He shall submit a complete report of his work 41 during the term of his office to each conven- 42 tion, and make such recommendations as in 9 1 his judgment will advance the interests of the 2 organization. The President shall have the 3 power, with the consent of the Executive 4 Board, to revoke the charter of or penalize any 5 local union for violation of the Constitution, or 6 proven treachery to the principles of the West- 7 em Federation of Miners. The President shall 8 have power on petition of ten per cent of the 9 members in good standing in their respective 10 locals making charges in writing against their 11 local officers to take complete charge of the 12 local's affairs, and if the charges are proven 13 he shall call a special election within thirty 14 days and place the local's affairs on a business 15 basis before relinquishing to local's officials. 16 He shall receive $5.00 per day for his services, 17 besides such an additional amount as may be 18 necessary to defray his transportation and 19 other expenses. Duties of Vice President. 20 Sec. 2. It is the duty of the Vice-President 21 to assist the President to preserve order at 22 all meetings and assist him in the discharge 23 of his duties; preside during his absence, and 24 perform the duties devolving upon the Presi- 25 dent; and in case of vacancy occurring in the 26 office of President, he shall ascend to the 27 Presidency and act as such for the unexpired 28 term. Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer. 29 Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Secre- 30 tary-Treasurer to attend all conventions of the 31 Western Federation of Miners, and bring there- 32 to all the necessary books, papers, and docu- 33 ments pertaining to his office, and keep a 34 proper and correct record of the proceedings 35 of the convention; read all petitions, resolu- 36 tions and commimlcations, not in charge of a 10 1 special committee, which may be submitted to 2 the Federation, file and safely keep, unless 3 otherwise ordered, all papers or documents 4 which have been before the convention. At 5 each biennial meeting of the convention he 6 shall submit a complete report of the receipts 7 and disbursements of the Federation for the 8 preceding year, number of unions organized, 9 number in good standing and the number of 10 unions disbanded, if any, and the cause thereof. 11 If ordered by the convention, he shall cause to 12 be printed duly authenticated copies of the pro- 13 ceedings of the convention and furnish each 14 local union with a copy thereof. He shall pre- 15 pare, sign and seal all charters and such other 16 papers and documents as may emanate from 17 the Western Federation of Miners, and which 18 are required to be duly authenticated. He 19 shall, at the end of each quarter, send a re- 20 port to each local union, showing the receipts, 21 and the dates thereof, of all moneys received 22 from the local unions for the preceding quarter. 23 All moneys coming into his hands belonging to 24 the Federation shall be deposited, at least 25 twice a month, in some solvent bank or banks, 26 and shall only be drawn out to pay indebted- 27 ness arising out of the due conducting of the 28 business of the Federation, and then only after 29 a bill shall have been first duly presented by 30 the creditor, when in payment thereof a check 31 shall be drawn and signed by him, after which 32 he shall present it, together with the bill, to 33 the President for his counter-signature. He 34 shall have charge of all the funds and property 35 of the Western Federation of Miners, and shall 36 keep a careful and accurate account thereof, as 37 well as an accurate account of all funds arising 38 out of the relation of the Federation with the 39 local unions, and whenever money is received 40 from a local union, a receipt therefor must be 41 given or mailed to the sender. He shall prompt- 42 ly attend to all correspondence pertaining to 11 1 his office, and within the first week of May of 2 each year he shall send to each union which is 3 not indebted to the Federation for moneys, 4 which it should have paid under the Constitu- 5 tion, duplicate credentials for delegates. Upon 6 the expiration of his term of office or retire- 7 ment from any cause he shall faithfully account 8 for all money or property coming into his hands 9 and all funds or property remaining- in his 10 hands or not paid out or disposed of or in due 11 course of the discharge of his official duties, it 12 shall be accounted for and turned over to his 13 successor or such other person who may be 14 duly authorized to take into his custody the 15 funds or property of the Federation. For the 16 honest and faithful discharge of his duties he 17 shall give a bond in the sum of not less than 18 $30,000, the bond so given to be approved by 19 the Executive Board and kept in their custody. 20 For his services he shall receive the sum of 21 one hundred and fifty (150) dollars per month, 22 which may be paid monthly out of the funds of 23 the Federation, in the same manner as is pro- 24 vided for the payment of other bills and in- 25 debtedness. He shall issue a supplement to 26 his quarterly report of all members suspended, 27 fined or expelled during the quarter. Executive Board. 27 Sec. 4. The Executive Board shall consti- 28 tute the Federation board of arbitration and 29 conciliation, and between conventions have full 29 power to direct the workings of the Federa- 30 tion. No representative of a union shall be en- 31 titled to a hearing before the Executive Board 32 without proper credentials, with the seal of 33 the union attached thereto. 34 Sec. 5. The Executive Board shall be con- 35 vened by the President, or by the Secretary- 36 Treasurer at the request of three members of 37 the Board. 38 Sec. 6. The jurisdiction of the Western 12 1 Federation of Miners shall cover the United 2 States and its territories, and the Dominion of 3 Canada. 4 Sec. 7. Each member of the Executive 5 Board shall act as an organizer and he shall 6 also be required to make such investigation 7 relative to the condition of each local union 8 as in his judgment may be necessary, and 9 make a report thereof to the President of the 10 Federation on or before the 10th day of June 11 of each year. In case of trouble arising in the 12 jurisdiction of a union, the member shall be 13 summoned and given full charge in the direc- 14 tion or negotiations until the arrival of the 15 President, who shall be summoned if necessary. 16 For all necessary services rendered in the dis- 17 charge of his duties, he shall receive the sum 18 of $4.00 per day and legitimate expenses for 19 such time as he is actually employed, together 20 with his transportation expenses, and he shall 21 at all times be subject to the orders of the 22 President. 23 Sec. 8. The Executive Board members shall 24 be placed on continuous pay, and kept in the 25 field constantly, and be at all times under the 26 direction of the President, who shall direct 27 their actions in the field, and shall require 28 each member to report weekly the result of his 29 work, and to audit the books of all locals he 30 may visit and make a thorough report on con- 31 dition of same. 32 Sec. 9. All members of the Executive Board 33 and organizers employed by the Federation 34 shall submit monthly reports for publication in 35 the Miners' Magazine, these reports to contain 36 matters of interest to the general organization. 37 Sec. 10. The Executive Board shall, on de- 38 mand of ten or more locals, submit all such 39 matters pertaining to such proposition to a ref- 40 erendum vote through the Secretary-Treasurer, 41 not later than fifteen days after receipt there- 42 of; provided that no such referendum shall be 13 1 submitted which is a reversal of a former ref- 2 erendum within one year. The majority of 3 such vote shall be binding on all parties con- 4 cerned. 5 Sec. 11. The Executive Board members 6 shall be delegates at large to the convention 7 and entitled to the same privileges as other 8 delegates at the convention. 9 Sec. 12. The Executive Board shall have 10 the books and accounts of the Secretary-Treas- 11 urer audited semi-annually by a firm of chart- 12 ered accountants, and a copy of their report 13 shall be forwarded to each local union as soon 14 as possible after the audit is made. ARTICLE V. Local Union Auditors. 15 Section 1. The President shall appoint, with 16 the approval of the Executive Board, one or 17 more auditors whose duty it shall be to audit 18 the books and accounts of all unions of the 19 Federation, and to render to the President a 20 report of his findings in each case. 21 Sec. 2. Such auditor shall be at all times 22 under the direction of the President. He must 23 be a competent bookkeeper and a member of 24 the Federation in good standing. It shall also 25 be his duty to collect for the use of the Fed- 26 eration such statistics as may be determined 27 by the President and Executive Board and 28 whenever possible solicit subscriptions ani 29 advertising for the Miners' Magazine. Reports of A. F. of L. Delegates. 30 Sec. 3. Delegates to the A. F. of L. conven- 31 tion shall represent the Western Federation of 32 Miners in convention of the American Federa- 33 tion of Labor and shall render a report to the 34 President of the W. F. M. within thirty days 14 1 after the adjournment of the A. F. of L. con- 2 vention. ARTICLE VI. Revenues and Disbursements. 3 Sec. 1. The revenue of the Federation shall 4 be derived from a charter fee of ten dollars 5 and a per capita tax of twenty-five cents per 6 month on all monthly dues collected in accord- 7 ance with the stamp system, to be paid from 8 the general fund of each union through the 9 purchase of said stamps in advance, and such 10 assessments as may be levied by an interna- 11 tional convention or a referendum vote of the 12 members of the Western Federation of Miners 13 or by the International Executive Board for a 14 period of two months pending the referendum 15 vote. The same shall be paid from the general 16 fund, and based on the preceding monthly re- 17 port previous to such assessment. 18 Sec. 2. There shall be levied a fifty cents 19 assessment every three months of each year, 20 at such time when no other general assess- 21 ment is on, to be known as Protective Assess- 22 ment for strike benefit, levied as follows: Sep- 23 tember, December, March and June. 24 Sec. 3. Any union failing to purchase the 25 required number of per capita and assess- 26 ment stamps to stamp all membership cards, 27 in compliance with the stamp system, shall 28 be penalized as prescribed by Section 1, 29 Article X. 30 Sec. 4. Special reinstatement stamps shall 31 be provided by headquarters, locals to be 32 charged two dollars ($2.00) each per stamp, 33 and required to put such reinstatement stamp 34 on the membership card of each member pay- 35 ing a reinstatement fee. 15 ARTICLE VII. Official Journal. 1 Section 1. The Journal shall be issued 2 weekly under the direct supervision of the 3 General Executive Board. The Executive 4 Board shall have the power to appoint the 5 Editor of the Miners' Magazine. 6 Sec. 2. The pages of the official journal 7 shall be open to all officers and members of 8 the organization for the discussion of social 9 affairs, industrial, economic and political ques- 10 tions, or any other questions pertaining to the 11 interest of the working-class. It shall endeavor 12 to enlighten the membership of the organiza- 13 tion on the cost of production of the various 14 kinds of metals; viz.: iron, steel, lead, zinc 15 and copper, and its market value. It shall 16 endeavor to give statistics showing what 17 wages are being paid to the miners, millmen 18 and smeltermen and steel workers in the dif- 19 ferent states and territories in the jurisdiction 20 of the Western Federation o£ Miners. It further 21 shall endeavor to demonstrate what relation 22 there exists between one set of workers and 23 another set of workers, especially those work- 24 ers who are engaged in the production of coal, 25 iron, steel, lead, zinc and copper, and other 26 precious metals, and it shall at all times ad- 27 vocate the principles of Industrial Unionism. ARTICLE VIII. Strikes and Adjustments. 28 Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any 29 union to enter upon a strike unless ordered 30 by two-thirds of the votes cast upon the ques- 31 tion; such questions shall be decided by refer- 32 endum vote, notice of such referendum to be 33 posted three days in advance, vote to be by 16 1 ballot and polls to be open for not less than 2 eight hours. No call shall be made for a refer- 3 endum vote on a strike until after having re- 4 ceived the approval of the Executive Board of 5 the W. F. M. 6 Sec. 2. In case of a strike being in progress 7 in the jurisdiction of the Federation, where a 8 union or unions of the Federation is on strike, 9 regularly ordered by the union or unions and 10 the Executive Board, and in the opinion of the 11 President and the Executive Board it becomes 12 necessarj^ to call out any other union or unions 13 in order to carry the strike to a successful 14 termination, that they shall have full power to 15 do so. 16 Sec. 3. Whenever a strike shall be approved 17 by the Executive Board and local union or 18 unions as authorized by Section 1 of Article 19 VIII, the President shall appoint, with the con- 20 sent of the Executive Board, a representative 21 of the Federation to take charge of the funds 22 furnished by the Federation for the relief of 23 members involved in said strike or lockout. 24 The representative so chosen shall file a bond 25 with the Executive Board, subject to its ap- 26 proval, in such sum or sums as the Board may 27 determine, he shall make complete itemized 28 returns of all receipts and expenditures, in- 29 eluding a list of the persons aided to the Sec- 30 retary-Treasurer and through him to the Ex- 31 ecutive Board. 32 Sec. 4. Local unions or groups of local 33 unions may enter into wage agreements for a 34 specified time, providing such agreements havs 35 the approval of the Executive Board. Nego- 36 tiations for agreements must be made between 37 the representative of the local or locals affect- 38 ed, and the employers, with at least one mem- 39 ber of the Executive Board, or representative 40 of the general organization present. i 17 ARTICLE IX. New Unions. 1 Section 1. Whenever twenty or more union 2 men shall be so situated within the jurisdiction 3 of a union that the attendance at the meetings 4 of such union would be inconvenient, they may 5 apply to the President of the Federation for a 6 charter. Should he consider their application 7 a proper one for the advancement, both of the 8 interests of the applicants and the Federation, 9 a charter shall be granted them and their terri- 10 torial jurisdiction defined. If such applicants 11 are members they must apply to their respect- 12 ive unions for transfer cards, through the sec- 13 retary-elect. Any union refusing to issue such 14 cards shall be subject to a fine, the amount of 15 which shall be vxctermined by the Executive 16 Board. ARTICLE X. Penalties. 17 Section 1. Any union failing to make cor- 18 rect monthly reports to the Secretary-Treas- 19 urer of the Federation, thereby evading its 20 just share of the per capita tax and assess- 21 ments, shall be fined for each offense a sum 22 equal to double the amount so evaded. 23 Sec. 2. Any local union whose Secretary 24 fails to place the required number of per capita 25 or general assessment stamps upon a mem- 26 ber's card shall be subject to a fine of one dol- 27 lar for each stamp not so placed. 28 Sec. 3. Any local union whose Secretary 29 fails to forward to the Secretary-Treasurer of 30 the Federation properly filled out monthly and 31 annual reports within twenty days after the 32 same become due, shall be advertised in the 18 1 Miners* Magazine. This section shall not apply 2 to local unions in Alaska. ARTICLE XI. Duties and Privileges of Members. 3 Section 1. Each member at initiation shall 4 pledge himself to support the Constitution of 5 the Federation and obey all lawful orders of 6 the Executive Board, in addition to the obli- 7 gation required by the union of which he be- 8 comes a member. 9 Sec. 2. If a member of a union commits an 10 offense in violation of his obligation or against 11 the good and welfare of the Federation, his 12 union or any union of the Western Federation 13 of Miners, the general officers, members of the 14 Executive Board, or any members of the Fed- 15 eration, or in violation of the Constitution of 16 the Western Federation of Miners, or affiliated 17 unions, he shall be entitled to an impartial 18 trial by his local union as herinafter provided. 19 The offense of which he is charged shall be 20 presented in writing to his local union by the 21 members making the charge who at the time 22 must be a member of the Western Federation 23 of Miners in good standing, said charges shall 24 be read by the Recording Secretary of the 25 union, at tne first regular meeting of the union 26 after the paper containing the charges are re- 27 ceived. When said charges are read the Pres- 28 ident shall, without discussion, appoint an im- 29 partial committee of five members of the union 30 in good standing to investigate such charges 31 whose duty it shall be to present a copy of the 32 charges to the member against whom the 33 charges have been preferred, and notify him 34 when to appear before said committee for trial. 35 Similar notice shall be served upon the mem- 36 ber preferring the charges. This committee 37 shall elect a chairman and secretary before 19 1 proceeding to hear evidence for the plaintiff 2 and defendant and keep a correct copy of the 3 charges and all testimony presented and sub- 4 mit the same to the union with their written 5 report signed by all members of the committee. 6 The union shall either adopt or reject the re- 7 port of the committee. Either the plaintiff or 8 defendant shall have the right to appeal to the 9 Executive Board of the Western Federation of 10 Miners and from that body to the ensuing con- 11 vention. The Executive Board shall receive no 12 evidence in the case except the records of the 13 committee nor permit any witness to appear 14 for the plaintiff or defendant. Should the 15 union fail to preserve the records of the in- 16 vestigation as returned by the committee or 17 refuse to surrender the same to the Executive 18 Board, upon request of the Secretary-Treas- 19 urer it shall be subject to whatever penalty 20 the Executive Board may deem necessary to 21 impose upon it. 22 Sec. 3. The convention shall have the power 23 to bring any official of the Federation, dele- 24 gate, or member of the Federation before the 25 bar of the convention for trial. The conven- 26 tion shall choose its method of procedure, 27 have full power to record and enforce its ver- 28 diet. From its decision there shall be no appeal. 29 Sec. 4. Any one acting as a strike-breaker 30 or scab during a strike in the jurisdiction of 31 the Western Federation of Miners, who pro- 32 fesses to have seen theT error of his ways, may 33 be placed on probation by the local union in- 34 volved, or by any local union in whose juris- 35 diction he may be employed when such charges 36 are preferred against him, provided the local 37 involved grants permission; provided, that this 38 shall in no way apply to any man who ha^ 39 been a deputy sheriff or gun man in the em- 40 ploy of any corporation. Such men shall re- 41 main on probation until such time as the local 20 1 union, in whose jurisdiction he is working out 2 his probation shall declare his offense expiated 3 in full by good work for the cause. 4 In case of a union being defunct, the Execu- 5 tive Officers of the Western Federation of 6 Miners shall be governed by this provision. 7 The card issued on probation shall be marked 8 "probation card." 9 Sec. 5. Whenever any member or members 10 of a local union shall be discharged for actively 11 participating in the affairs of the local union, 12 or of the Western Federation of Miners, or on 13 account of his race, color, religious or political 14 beliefs, it shall be the duty of the local union 15 to investigate fully and use all means in their 16 power to have such member or members re- 17 instated in their former positions. 18 Sec. 6. Whenever any local or district union 19 shall enter into any agreement or contract with 20 their employers, the principles embodied in 21 Section 5 of this article shall be made a part 22 of such agreement or contract. 23 Sec. 7. Whenever a member of a local union 24 shall become a foreman, shift boss or assume 25 a position that cannot be termed as part of 26 the mining inuustry, he shall lose all rights to 27 a voice, vote or seat in the meetings of his 28 local union, but may continue his membership 29 as a beneficiary member, or upon application 30 to the Financial Secretary he may be granted 31 a withdrawal card. 32 Sec. 8. Any member who has been unem- 33 ployed for one clear calendar month, or more, 34 in the jurisdiction of any local, may retain full 35 membership upon payment of the regular 36 monthly dues, all assessments for the stated 37 period being liquidated by means of "unem- 38 ployed stamps'* provided for the purpose. The 39 unemployed member must obtain the stamps or 40 stamp from the Secretary of the local in whose 41 jurisdiction he is idle for the required period. 21 LOCAL UNIONS AND MEMBERS. ARTICLE XII. Receipts and Accounts. 1 Sec. 1. Local unions shall preserve all re- 2 ceipts issued by the Secretary-Treasurer and 3 have the same presented to the finance com- 4 mittee at the biennial convention, through 5 their delegates to the convention, in order to 6 compare them with the stub book of the Sec- 7 retary-Treasurer. Password. 8 Sec. 2. The President shall send to each 9 union which has paid per capita tax and is not 10 ninety days in arrears for assessments, a quar- 11 terly password. Membership Card. 12 Sec. 3. Throughout the jurisdiction of the 13 Western Federation of Miners a uniform mem- 14 bership card shall be used. The same shall be 15 the stamp card system, approved by the Tenth 16 and amended by the Sixteenth Annual Conven- 17 tion; the form and style of said cards shall 18 provide a space wherein local Secretaries shall 19 record the amount of sick benefits received by 20 each member. Said card shall be designed by 21 the Executive Officers of the Western Federa- 22 tion of Miners. Withdrawal Cards. 23 Sec. 4. If a member takes a withdrawal 24 card from the union to which he belongs and 22 1 goes to work as specified in Section 1, Article 2 I, of the Constitution, where there is a union 3 of the Federation, he shall at once deposit his 4 card in that union; failing to do so, he shall be 5 held for dues and assessments from the time 6 he starts to work by the union within whose 7 jurisdiction he may be employed. 8 Sec. 5. No withdrawal card shall be issued 9 to any member of the W. P. M. except such 10 members who are actually engaged in some oc- 11 cupation not included in the jurisdiction of the 12 W. F. M., or one who permanently retires from 13 the occupation specified in Article I of the 14 Constitution. All dues and assessments must 15 be paid for the month in which the withdrawal 16 card is issued. 17 Sec. 6. Local unions of the Federation shall 18 have full jurisdiction over all members em- 19 ployed in the jurisdiction of their locals, sub- 20 ject, however, to the right of appeal described 21 in Section 2, Article XI, of the Constitution. 22 Sec. 7. Local unions shall have power to 23 name the amount to be collected as a rein- 24 statement fee from members six months or 25 more in arrears for dues and assessments. 26 Sec. 8. Secretaries shall place due stamps 27 on members* cards for back dues collected for 28 reinstatement or otherwise. Interchangeable Cards. 29 Sec. 9. Transfer cards and withdrawal cards 30 issued by any chartered labor organization 31 shall be accepted by local unions of the West- 32 ern Federation of Miners, subject to the rules 33 and qualifications governing members of such 34 locals of the Western Federation of Miners. Transfer. 35' Sec. 10. Any member leaving the jurisdic- 36 tion of his union and going to work in the juris- 37 diction of another union of the Federation shall 23 1 deposit his membership card with the Finan- 2 cial Secretary within fifteen days after going 3 to work and pay all arrearages. The Financial 4 Secretary receiving a member's card, shall 5 within fifteen days notify the union in which 6 the member has a card so that the member's 7 account can be closed in the former union. All 8 arrearages collected other than local assess- 9 ment, shall belong to the union receiving the 10 membership card, and all advance dues which 11 may have been paid shall be remitted, provided, 12 however, that no advance dues shall be re- 13 quested for the month in which transfer is 14 made. Any member in good standing transfer- 15 ring from one local to another within fifteen 16 days after going to work in the jurisdiction of 17 the other local, upon signing the Constitution 18 of the local union in which the transfer is made 19 shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits 20 of that local. When a member of a local union 21 goes to work within the jurisdiction of another 22 local and fails to deposit his card within fifteen 23 days after going to work, he shall lose all of 24 his rights and benefits in the union in which he 25 holds membership. 26 Sec. 11. Any member working within the 27 jurisdiction of a local union and refusing to de- 28 posit his card, shall be subject to a fine of not 29 less than $1.00 nor more than $50.00, said fine 30 to be left to the discretion of the local union. 31 Sec. 12. When a member of a local union 32 goes to work within the jurisdiction of another 33 and refuses to deposit his card, it shall be its 34 duty to place a fine against him and suspend 35 him from any benefits whatsoever. Any Secre- 36 tary accepting dues from a member who is in 37 the jurisdiction of another local shall be sub- 38 ject to a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more 39 $5.00. 24 ARTICLE XIII. Supplies. 1 Section 1. All withdrawal and notification 2 cards of the Federation snail be made of uni- 3 form size, with stub attachment. 4 Sec. 2. The Federation has adopted, for the 5 sake of uniformity, the following supplies, 6 which must be procured from the ^ecretary- 7 Treasurer, except in the Dominion of Canada, 8 where blanks shall be printed to conform with 9 the laws and usages of that country, as well 10 as in conformity with this Constitution, and 11 that the same may be printed in the Dominion 12 of Canada, viz.: Constitutions, withdrawal 13 cards, notification cards, quarterly report 14 blanks, blank bonus for officers of unions, ap- 15 plication blanks, ledger, day book and cash 16 book, and tnat it be imperative on the part of 17 all locals to use this system of bookkeeping. 18 Provided, all membership cards and the auth- 19 orized metal emblem of the Federation shall be 20 procured from the Secretary-Treasurer of the 21 Federation. ARTICLE XIV. Nominations, Elections and Installation of Officers. 22 Sec. 1. Nominations of officers in local 23 unions shall be made from the floor. Nomina- 24 tions shall remain open for three regular meet- 25 ings prior to election, when each Recording 26 Secretary shall, within ten days thereafter, 27 forward the names of all officers elected to the 28 Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation, who 29 shall compile a directory of the same and 30 forward a copy of these directories to each 31 local union. It shall be optional with each 32 local union as to whether it shall hold annual 25 1 or semiannual elections. Installation of offi- 2 cers for local unions shall not ^ake place until 3 the first meeting in July or in January. Balloting. 4 Sec. 2. All unions shall, on the demand of 5 five or more members in good standing, take a 6 secret ballot upon any question coming before 7 the union. 8 Sec. 3. All ballots shall be uniform and 9 names of all candidates shall be placed on one 10 ballot. ARTICLE XV. Jurisdiction. 11 Section 1. The jurisdiction of the Federa- 12 tion shall extend to all states and territories 13 and the Dominion of Canada. District Unions. 14 Sec. 2. Where a majority of members vot- 15 ing in a district or state deem it necessary, 16 they may organize a district or state union for 17 the purpose of doing business for the district 18 or state. Such unions shall apply to the Fed- 19 eration for, and receive a special charter, said 20 charter to be issued at cost. Such district or 21 state union shall be subordinate to the Feder- 22 ation, but shall be a higher authority than the 23 local unions of the Federation in its jurisdic- 24 tion. All local unions of the Federation with- 25 in the jurisdiction of a district or state union 26 shall be a member of said district or state 27 union and recognize the authority of same. Defunct Unions. 28 Sec. 3. When any local union has a mera- 29 bership of less than ten members in good 1 standing, the charter of such local may be con- 2 sidered defunct, and surrender its charter and 3 books to the Federation; and any member of 4 the said union becoming desirous of joining 5 another union of the Western Federation of 6 Miners shall, by paying the dues and assess- 7 ments he owed in his former union up to the 8 time the books were turned over to the Fed- 9 eration, be transferred to the union to which 10 he makes application. 11 Sec. 4. The property of defunct unions shall 12 be held in trust by the Federation, and where 13 local unions are reorganized within a period 14 of one year, comprising of twenty or more 15 members of the former local the property so 16 held in trust shall be returned to the reorgan- 17 ized local, but when the locals are reorganized 18 with less than twenty members of the former Ij^ local, they shall have no claim on the property 20 of the defunct union. At the expiration of one 21 year from the date of the local going defunct 22 the property shall cease to be held in trust and 23 become the property of the Federation. 24 Sec. 5. Where two or more locals are situ- 25 ated in the same locality or district, and one or 26 more locals become weakened by loss of mem- 27 bers or otherwise, they may, by a majority 28 vote of each local interested, consolidate. All 29 money and property shall belong to the union 30 so consolidated, except the charter or charters 31 of the locals ceasing to exist, said charters to 32 be forwarded to headquarters immediately. 33 The unions so consolidated shall be held for 34 all existing indebtedness. ARTICLE XVI. 35 Section 1. Each local Financial Secretary 36 must keep a record of all members that are 37 expelled from local unions, and when a person 38 is proposed for admittance into any local of 27 1 the Western Federation of Miners, the Finan- 2 cial Secretary must first look at the list re- 3 ported by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fed- 4 eration and then report to his union the result 5 of his investigation. Correspondence. 6 Sec. 2. Each Secretary of the local union 7 shall be required to keep a copy of all cor- 8 respondence in a copying book suitable for that 9 purpose. ARTICLE XVIII. Fines and Penalties. 10 Section 1. Any member who is under the 11 influence of liquor, appearing as a delegate at 12 any convention of the Western Federation of 13 Miners, or failing to answer roll call without 14 being excused by the President, shall be fined 15 for the first offense the sum of one dollar; for 16 the second offense the sum of two dollars; for 17 the third offense the sum of five dollars, and 18 any delegate or delegates who shall have been 19 guilty of such an offense shall be censured and 20 reprimanded by the President, and the union 21 to which he or they may belong shall be noti- 22 fied of his action. 2. ARTICLE XIX. Legislation. 1 Section 1. The initiative and referendum 2 shall govern all legislation. Whenever a local 3 in good standing, uelegate or delegation in con- 4 vention shall, by resolution, offer an amend- 5 ment to the Constitution, the same shall be 6 considered in the biennial convention, and by 7 that body submitted to the members of the 8 Western Federation of Miners, who shall vote 9 upon the same within sixty days. All locals 10 voting on a referendum shall use — 11 First: A blank record sheet for the names 12 of all members voting; 13 Second: Printed ballots with the questions 14 fully stated upon them, with the spaces, so as 15 to vote for or against any question; 16 Third: That envelopes containing record 17 sheets with names, report blanks, with totals 18 of votes cast for or against all questions, 19 should contain no other matter, and the word 20 "referendum" should be marked upon the en- 21 velope and the same shall not be opened until 22 the date set for compiling the votes of all 23 locals. 24 After having received the approval of a ma- 25 jority of the members voting upon the ques- 26 tion, it shall receive the signature of the Presi- 27 dent and Secretary-Treasurer, and becomes a 28 part of the organic law. The Secretary-Treas- 29 urer shall canvass the vote on all referendum 30 questions and make up a return sheet, setting 31 forth the vote of each local, and furnish all 32 locals with a copy of the same. ARTICLE XX. Emergencies. 33 Section 1. Whenever a vital circumstance, 29 1 not otherwise provided for, arises and the 2 same cannot in justice be deferred until the 3 assembling of the convention, the Executive 4 Board may submit any important question so 5 arising to a referendum vote of the entire mem- 6 bership in good standing, in the manner de- 7 scribed in Section 1, Article XIX. The majority 8 of such vote to govern in all cases submitted. 9 Sec. 2. Whenever a proposition of vital im- 10 portance presents itself to the membership of 11 the W. F. M., not otherwise provided for, the 12 Executive Board shall, on demand of ten or 13 more locals, submit all such matters pertaining 14 to such proposition to a referendum vote 15 through the Secretary-Treasurer, not later than 16 fifteen days after receipt thereof; provided 17 that no such referendum shall be submitted 18 which is a reversal of a former referendum 19 within one year. The majority of such vote 20 shall be binding on all parties concerned. 21 Sec. 3. This Constitution shall not be 22 amended except by a majority vote of all dele- 23 gates assembled in convention or by initiative 24 petition adopted at three regular meetings of 25 at least ten locals of this organization, repre- 26 senting at least five per cent of the whole 27 membership, the same to be approved by refer- 28 endum vote as described in Section 1, Article 29 XIX. ao ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call the meeting to order. 2. Warden, secure the v^oor. 3. Presentation of credentials. 4. Appointment of committees. 5. Roll call. 6 Reading of minutes of previous meeting. 7. Communications and correspondence. 8. Bills. 9. Reports of officers. 10. Reports of standing committees. if. Special committees. 12. Unfinished business. 13. New business. 14. Election of officers. 15. Good and welfare of the Federation. 16. Installation of officers. 17. Adjournment. 31 RULES OF ORDER 1 During the continuance of the meeting si- 2 lence must be observed, the officers and mem- 3 bers retaining their respective seats, and no 4 one leaving the room without permission of 5 the President or Vice-President. 6 No member shall, by conversation or other- 7 wise, interrupt the business of the Federation 8 or refuse to obey the chair. 9 The President, while presiding, will state 10 every question coming before the Federation, 11 and immediately before putting it to a vote 12 shall ask: "Are you ready for the question?" 13 Should no member rise to speak, or by silence 14 indicate their readiness, he shall rise to state 15 the question, and after he has risen no member 16 shall be permitted to speak upon it. He shall 17 announce the result or decision of the Feder- 18 ation upon all subjects. 19 Every member, when he speaks or offers a 20 motion, shall rise and respectfully address the 21 presiding officer. While speaking he shall con- 22 fine himself to the subject under debate, avoid- 23 ing all personalities and indecorous language, 24 as well as any reflections upon the union or its 25 members. 26 Should two or more members rise to speak 27 at the same time, the chair shall decide who is 28 entitled to the floor. 29 No member shall disturb another in his 30 speech unless to call him to order for words 31 spoken. 32 If a member, while speaking, shall be called 33 to order, at the request of the chair, he shall 34 cease speaking and take his seat until the 32 1 question of order is determined, when, if per- 2 mitted, he may again proceed. 3 No member shall speak more than once on 4 the same question until all the members wish- 5 ing to speak shall have had the opportunity to 6 do so, nor more than twice without the per- 7 mission of the chair. 8 When any communication, petition or mem- 9 orial is presented, before it is read a brief 10 statement of its contents shall be made by the 11 introducer to the chair. 12 No motion shall, be subject to action unless 13 seconded and stated by the chair. 14 Any member may call for a division on a 15 question when the sense will admit it. 16 When a question is before the Federation 17 no motion shall be received unless to close the 18 previous question, to lay on the table, to post- 19 pone indefinitely, to refer, to amend, and shall 20 have precedence in the order herein arranged 21 — the first three of which shall be decided 22 without debate. 23 After any question, except one of indefinite 24 postponement or one the result of which the 25 Federation cannot reverse, has been decided, 26 any member who voted in the majority may, at 27 the same meeting move a reconsideration 28 thereof. 29 No amendments shall be received except 30 they are in writing. 31 All questions not provided for by the Con- 32 stitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order, or by the 33 General Laws of the Federation, shall be de- 34 termined by a majority of the members at a 35 regular meeting. 36 These rules may be suspended for a special 37 purpose by a vote of two-thirds of the mem- 38 bers present. 39 Roberts* Rules of Orders shall govern the 40 proceedings of the Federation in the absence 41 of any rules not herein provided for. 33 INDEX Page Organization and Objects 3 Convention 3-5 Pay of Delegates 5 Nomination and Election of Officers, Executive Board, and A. F. of L. Delegates 5-8 Recall of Officers 8 Duties of President 8-10 Duties of Vice-President 10 Duties of Secretary-Treasurer 10-12 Executive Board and Duties of 12-14 Auditors' Appointment and Duty of 14 Reports of A. F. of K Delegates 14-15 Revenues and Disbursements 15 Penalty for Violation of Stamp System 15 Reinstatement Stamps 15 Official Journal 16 Strikes and Adjustment 16-17 Wage Agreements 17 and 21 New^ Unions and Jurisdiction 'of 18 Penalties 18 Duties and Privileges of Members 19-21 Trial by Local Union : 19-20 Trial by Convention 20 Probation Members 20-21 Foreman and Shift Bosses 21 Unemployed Assessment Stamps 21 Receipts and Accounts 22 Password 22 Membership Card 22 Withdrawal Cards 22-23 Reinstatement 28 Interchangeable Cards 23 Transfer 23-24 Supplies 25 Nomination, Election of Local Union Officers. .25-26 Balloting 26 Jurisdiction of Federation 26 District Unions 26 Defunct Unions 26-27 Expelled Members, Record of 27-28 Correspondence of Locals 28 Fines and Penalties of Delegates 28 legislation 29 Emergencies by Legislation 29-30 Constitution, How amended s 30 Order of Business 31 Rules of Order S2-33 5