Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-18
LABOR'S HOSTS.
The Vast Numerical Strength OF
the Knights of Labor.
THE GRAND ARMY OF WAGE WORKERS.
A, Claim that Five Millions Of Working
men are Enrolled Beneath Its
Banners-An Enormous
Organization.

New York, August 1.-THE World this
morning prints the following interesting
review OF the organization, history and
present strength Of the Knights of Labor:
Since the commencement Of the present
strike of telegraph operators, much inquiry
has been made as TO how far the consolida.
tion of workipgmen in this country ex.
tends, and the manner in which this con.
solidation has been effected. Speculation
has been rife as 70 what would be the result
were all the wagework ers TO cease employ
ment at once, and refuse to work further
unless paid specified rate. After much
research the following
Facts and Figures
have been cleaned, which are as correct as
possible from the limited source Of intor-
nation open to the public.
The first branch of labor which organized
in manner approaching an international
association, was the shoemakers, who
formed the Order of Crispins. There had
been, previously, number Of trade organ
izations, but none of these had seized upon
the idea of combining so as TO include the
workers throughout the Union. The Girls
pins, however, preserved their organization
and soon ascertaned that with all those en-
gagged in the shoe trade under one head, II
was easier 10 secure
Better Wages.
The railroad strike Of 1877 was a lament.
able failure il is urged, for the very rea,
son that the different branches OF railroad
workers were not allied under common
banner. The engineers, tiremen, conduC-
tors and brekemen, instead OF being com.
bned had separate unions, working lnie.
pendent Of and sometimes in direct Oppo'
sition to each other. The engineers and
fremen struck, bat bsggagemen, brake
men and conductors remained at work.
Shortly after this strlkea number OF men
assembled and agreed that something
should be done in order 10 unite wage
workers in a common Brotherhood.
MaVOr s. Y, lOWderlv. OF Scranton. Pa,
was one Of the foremost in the movement
lie occupied a prominent position in the
Knights OF Labor, which was Organ'2ei in
1863 but which up TO this time had not
met with great success. He and number
Of other officials in this body began to
agitate the workiDgmen upon the question
Of consolidation, aud therefore gained an
addition TO The ranks OF the Knights,
which is now conceded to be the most pow.
erful labor organization in the world.
1t is general organization, each branch
of trade being distinct and termed
District OF the Order.
The districts are controlled by Master
Workman and an executive committee.
The district assembly prescribes rules for
the government of the order, and is com.
posed of delegates from the different trades.
The district assembly is the highest tribun
al within its district, and the district as.
semblv, through the District Assembly
Court has power TO decide appeals and
settle all controversies subject 10 appeal to
the General Assembly.
No trade can order a strike until il Is
granted permission by the Master Work.
man, who must see that two-,hiris OF the
lAeffr:: '"CSahhEHeti7n5 5sYGg ,e'nrtttfVslsrSfe
TO receive s. and married members $ per
week from the organization, and each trade
is bound TO contribute 10 the support OF the
strikers. The executive board OF district
assembly has full power to Withdraw imam
cial aid from striking assembly when IT IS
deel ed proper.
Where Failure Comes In.
1T is idst this contribution to the
KNIGHTS Of Labor" said one Of the mem.
ure Of the te!egrapherS' strike. They had
been contributing to the main order for
ten wears. and when they wanted TO strike
the officers OF the Knights OF Labor sought
to restrain them.
The Telegrapher's brotherhood said:
"No. We have been contributing for
years and now when We want 10 strike you
hold us back. We want you 10 consent to
our striking or We will discontinue contri'
buttons to the order
The leaders OF the order saw that IN or,
der 10 prevent internal dl>SensioTs 1t would
he better TO sllow the strike 10 IKE place,
and il was ordered. II the te!egraphers
had only had patience enough
Millions Of wageworkers.
A nrCminent officer Of the Knights o!
Labor saws: IL claim that there are nearly
lOWOCC6 persons in the United States who
p, .;.,c- n-ranized or are under the irtiu'
=, 80, z.rs. The majority OF these
-; 10 the knights Of Labor, or
ing in the same manner as tnat
o,la,.. La,ion. The Knights OF Labor watch
the public feeling carefully, and note the
career OF public men, together with thr:r
stand On the labor question. Ihi' org1hl.
zstion is not confined To !ao0rlng men, oh'
can admit into its ranks those WAC repre-
sent middle class interests. and II very
of,en selects the person 10 belong u the
order. IL addresses itself especially 10
those who have not as yet been reached By
the average trades union :,
Take Tor instance the tailers, tailoresses,
dressmsk. re-. and shirt collar aud Gun max
ers. The knights OF Labor regard them as
One Occupation,
and cause them 10 enlist in the order as a
district assembly. In this manner they
make the body more co operative; WINE
the hod. carriers, masons, plasterers, mouse
rain,ers lathers carpenters. &c, all have
d;stinct trade unions. they are combined
into one assembly Of Knights. The reason
for this is that il one OF these branches
saw the masons. are dissatisfied with their
nav, and the employer Will not advance IL
he will haye O striKe no: only OF the ma
cons hut of all other branches OF labor
which he employees on the dIhefeh' Pa'''
OF his work. ,r, :; ,ho
strike which is now in progress, as not
oniv did the operators strike. but they
were io,r.ed by the Iinemeu, the railroad
onerators. end If need be they would have
Leen ioined by all the railroad employees
~ Won can readily imagine 10 what noe
roint his labor business is being brought
Labor's Great Army.
uro cone down to actual figures OF fully
Organized labor we will md that IN the
United States there are o
Tailors and tailoresses .............'..' I3J ~
Sp;r. ooIiar and cnfF makers .......... lLlS}
MiIlipers. dressmskers and seam
stresses .......'' '''''''''' ~
Carpenters and joiners 3'3 M -
Dai-ta.s nd y,rnrsbers l2S SO
Gt';ii nnsrstives es..................... 7.7jl
To"In,,tsre ....................... 1878
T0,na-s caryers Gc................. l2g5i
innhsrmen and raftsmen ............ 81. .65l
Factory Hands
Carpet etmakers..--........-..-- ..-....-.--.. Luz