The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-08
STOP THIS ISLANDER.
Telegraphers Taken to Task in the
Western Workman by
Junius.
Powderly and the Knights of Labor
Defended Against the Un-
merited \
censure Of o'connor and cowardly
Members Of the Brother
hood.

----4 -
Did the Knights of Labor instigate the
telegraphers strike2 Didsthe prove
recreant to brothers ID need and trouble ?
Should the odium atta-iiag to the most
far.reaching of industrial revolt of mod
ern times be fastened upon the organiz-
alton presided over by Grand Master
Workman Powderly? Loose popular
opinion at the present time would prob,
ably answer 'yes,' to these questions
Many operators would Ioudly-some Bit
terly-re-echo that sentiment. Every
man who fails in any undertaking in
stinctively shifts the burden from his
own shoulders s-instinctively hunts a
scapegoat. Thoughtless, ignorant, dis
honest members of the Telegraphers'
Brotherhood freely criticise or roundly
abuse the Knights. The public press
ever Jealous in degrading and disorgan-
izing the labor movement, eagerly dis
seminate all whispered SANDERS
| am an old member of the Knights of
Labor, and | have thoroughly become
angered over the undeserved approbium
cast upon an order deserving the respect
and love of all mankind Like the ia
nous sand-lotter, feel like SHINING
alive the hatchet- faced cranks' who have
lost sense, reason and gratitude.
The Telegraphers' Brotherhood is
distinct district assembly of the Knights
of Labor. 1t has been in existence about
two years. In May last its membership
S,OOO The Brotherhood
was free to manage its own business in
its own way. 1t was free to order a strike
when it saw fit. For months such a
step had been contemplated Ample
provision should have been made. The
should have boarded it's
funds. The members should have saved
their salaries If, in addition, it was
thought necessary to have the aid and
counsel of the Grand Assembly officers
and of the Knights of Labor, Powderly
and his colleagues should haro been con-
suited in time If it were intended that
in case of defeat, they should have had
to say regarding the provis-
oning of the army and planning of the
That's fair proposition, isn't
It? Well, Powderly's advice was not
asked until the last moment, was not
sought until strike was absolutely in
Chairman O'Connor of the
executive board, tells this
part of the story, coloring it to suit his
own purposes: ga majority of our ex-
7cutive board" he said in recent news
paper interview, sent formal request
10 Grand Master Powderly, at Scranton,
20 meet us in New York, for the purpose
IF holding a conference. He accepted
our invitation and met us as requested.
He was accompanied by Grand Secretary
Layton, of the Knights. and by other
members of the grand executive board,
making clear majority of that board.
The conference lasted several hours, dur
ng which the situation was exhaustively
,reated, notice of our intention to strike
given. The grand officers as
3ured us that we would have their hearty
support during the struggle, and that
they would Immediately issue an extra
ordinary call to the assemblies in our be-
half. Their failure to do this resulted
in the failure of the movement. Our
demand for assistance was not abrupt or
sudden, but, on the contrary, reason
able length of time was allowed in which
TO assist u.s."
Powderly, not notified until perfuncto-
rily told that the strike was on And
Powderly's failure to act as foraging
party resulted in the failure of the
There's logic for you, and
Justice thrown in without stint With
out consulting the grand master work.
man as to the most opportune moment
of "hlowing the whistle, without asking
his advice regarding the plan of battle,
with depleted district treasury, and
with no money in their own pockets, In
war was prematurely declared.
Powderly was accorded the high privi-
lege of holding out hat for eontribu-
tions in all the territories, states, and;
provinces of North America. If the
hat was not filled, he alone was respon-
sible for the failure of the strike. Of
course the telegraphers had "the hearty
support" of the grand master workman,
of all his colleagues, and of every mem
ho of which ha IS