Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-19
The Working People.

CONTEMPLATED COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.
A telegram to the New York Herald from
Pittsburg, Pa, Dec. II. says 1t is now pro-
posed to organize cooperative associations
among the Knights of Labor, and the plan, as
already mapped out. is giving promise of sue
cess. In speaking of this plan the protector of
1t says: 1.-THE contributions to the fund for this
cooperative assembly will be anything from
fifty cents upward. At the end of the first year
nothing will be done. Before then the money
received will becOunted and the amount invested
in some enterprise until the year is up. All
contributions will be promptly deposited in bank
after every weekly meeting by the trustees, and
each mans Interest shall be gagged by the
amount he has deposited. The reason why it
would not be best to invest our accumulated
capital until the end Of the year is to
give the members time to get schOOled in CO.
operation. At the end of six months we will be
able to see whether the plan will be successful.
Ii we get encouragement the assembly will take
the necessary steps for it's Incorporation under
the laws of the state. 30 that we can do business
as corporate body and on business principles.
If it be failure-a contingency not at all appre-
hended now-tlie money in hand will be refund
ed to the depostors. There is not man in the
order but is satisfied to let any money rest in
the hands OF five trustees appointed by the
sembly without the Endorsements of the courts
and without giving bonds. The business to be
engaged in must be determnedby the assembly.
| some kind The charter comes from the general
assembly, but the bylaws requiring members to
pay into the cooperative fund. as well as keep
uptheir assembly dues, will need the approval
of the grand master workman in order to give
them the force of law. This approval will not
be difficult to get. The aim is to make money.
1t may be decided after organization to add
other beneficial features, as relief funds We
will also go on the granger plan Of making con-
tracts for coal, provisions and other necessaries
OF life. We will not undersell other dealers
should we start store. Members, of course,
will buy at reduced rates. 1t will be new
thlng-neither a trade nor mixed assembly. In
times Of strikes 1t will not be affected as the
men striking will compose but very small pOr-
tion of the entire chapter. We will spread it all
over the country"
THE CHURCH AND THE STRIKERS.
Atelegram to the New York Herald from
Montreal. Quebec, Dec. II, says: The strike
and the lockout of the six thousand or seven
thousand hands of the boot and shoe manufac-
turers has become SO serious as to call forth the
interference of the Catholic clergy. To-day a
abandonment" was read in all the Catholic
churches denouncing the strikers interference
with the employment of labor as an outrage
subversive Of morality, injurious to commerce,
and productive OF. general misery to the work.
man. Mgr. Fayre advises the strikers to seek
immediate interviews with their employers and
ufacturers locked out over six Thousand men
because "a score had gone on strike, the bishops
action is considered remarkably autocratic. 1t
will, however, probably end the strike.
NOTES.
The glass-blowers' strike is agitating South
Baltimore.
At meeting of the Labor and Trades Assem-
bly, IN Chicago on Sunday, petition was or
dered to be sent to Gen. Logan and Congress-
man Davis, urging a speedy settlement in
Congress of the tax question, as the present un-
certainty in regard to the tobacco trade causes
the continued idleness of large number of
wOrkmen.
Notice was given yesterday at the Phoenix
companys iron works. Ph9nixville, Pa, that on
and after January, puddlers would be paid
81 per ton, and all other wages reduced per
cent.
A meeting OF blast furnace men was held at
Plttsburg Yesterday, to consider the project of
Mutual Protective association. After discus
sion another meeting was called for the 9th
inst.
The situation at Singer & Nimicks steel mill.
Pittsburg, where reduction of wages was or
dered yesterday, is unchanged. The men were
at work as usual, and say they will not strike,
but will await the action Of the Amalgamated
association.