Thompson, W. H. 1913-06-26

Description:	Copy of letter from Eugene V. Debs, 06/26/1913. Asks that Thompson tell him if the United Mine Workers of America is led by a bunch of crooks what does that make Mother Jones and John Brown out to be since both of them gets paid by the organization. Says that he is disappointed that Thompson, a man of character and intelligence, could be so unfair. Writes that what Thompson wanted the Socialist Partys report of the West Virginia to do was denounce the officials of the United Mine Workers of America and tear the union to pieces. Informs Thompson that he has been involved in the labor movement for 38 years and saw things very clearly when he was in Charleston, West Virginia. Says that if he had been listened to when he was there the ugly row between the Socialist Party of West Virginia and the United Mine Workers of America would not have occurred. Writes that interference by non-miners in the affairs of the United Mine Workers of America only made matters worse. Tells Thompson that the West Virginia socialists denunciation of everything U.M.W., good, bad and indifferent, are utterly suicidal and destructive all around. Says that he is an industrial unionist not an anarchist in the spirit of the Industrial Workers of the World, an organization which is doing deadly work in the name of socialism. Informs Thompson that the best way to keep trade union officials in their places is to attack them as Fred Merrick has done. Writes that the leaders of the United Mine Workers of America have every reason to hate socialists with if it is the voice of Fred Merrick that they hear. Mentions that the miners need to stick together until the crisis their in passes. Assures Thompson that he is wrong to think that the rift between C. H. Boswell and Thomas Hagerty will not involve the movement. Asks that Thompson tell him why he denounces Thomas Hagerty but Mother Jones. Remarks that Mother Jones thinks that Thomas Hagerty is one of the truest men in the labor movement. Says that he tried to get C. H. Boswell to meet with Henry Hatfield but he refused. Informs Thompson that his first request to Henry Hatfield when he met with him was that Fred Merrick be released from prison. Mentions that that he does not know why Fred Merrick has avoided him ever since his imprisonment. Tells Thompson that he is wrong to think the leaders of the United Mine Workers of America are all unilaterally bad. Remarks that Thompson had no right to equate Adolph Germer to Henry Hatfield. Writes that even though Adolph Germer is an official of the United Mine Workers of America that he has always found him to be straightforward and honest.
Origin:	1913-06-26
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/evdc/id/11587
Collection:	Eugene V. Debs Correspondence
Subjects:	United Mine Workers of America Socialists Famous Hoosiers Labor

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