Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-06
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Master Workman POWderly Tells of
Its Organization, Membership, Pros
poets, and What IL Expects 10 Ae-
eOmDIish,

Master Workman POWderly Tells of
Its Organization, Membership, Pros
poets, and What IL Expects 10 Ae-
eOmpIish.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5.-Terence V. Pow
Order of Knights of Labor of America, at
tended a celebration here to-day of the an
niversary OF the birth of Urlah Stephens,
founder Of the order. To a representative
of the press he talked freely and frankly
upon many matters intimately connected
with the Knights of Labor. As is we'll
known, Uriah Stephens was animated by
two desireS-tO keep the name, member
ship and dOings of the KGi yhts profoundly
secret, and that each trade instead of hav-
ing a separate organization should ANAL
Csmate closely with other trades in one
grand society. The conversation with Mr..
POWderly was ss follows:
Are you satisfied with all of the changes
in the methods OF organization aud
COnduci Of the Order
which have come to pass since stephens
death
Il am not. am heartily for a return to
his doctrine of secrecy. think it was a
mistake TO part from it. The name, mem
berShip, and doings OF our order should be
kept entirely away from the public
Are you in favor of each trade having
separate organization"
No. Ii is my belief that all Of the
trades should come into one grand common
meeting. BY this means only can the
members OF each craft acquire the neceS
sary familiarity with the wrongs of other
crafts. For instance, the shOemakers may
want 10 strike for higher wages and yet
their movement may be opposed by the
glass blowers, because the latter, not having
been in clOse union with thsir h-ath-ar.
are
Unable to Appreciate Their OPpres-
sionS.''
Are all the trades Of the country now
represented in the order?
Not one Is lett out.
Are any more strikes among any OF the
diIereLt branches contemplated
so far as know. no. AM way, We will
first get through with this telegraph
strike
Has any assessment been raised for the
.elsgraPhers?'
No. At the opening of the strike there
was in the treasury OF the brotherhood
nearly $50, 900. l do not know whether
this has been exhausted, but few days
$40 they declined to take an assessment on
the score that they did not need it,
The Knights are in hearty sympathy
with the strike
Yes. The rule Of our order is first to
arbrrrate, then strike. But in the case OF
the telegraPhers the company refused to
a-bitrate. Hence the
strike was Proper
ard We will stand BY them to the last mo-
meHt.
Are there any special matters OF legis-
lariyn which the order intendS'to attempt
10 have ahOliShed%'
We want the railroad land grants re-
u, ,aled and the absurd and unjust fran
cEises to the telegraph companies. In
PENNSYLVANIA there is on the statute book
an eight hour law which cannot be en-
forced, there being no penalty. We hope
to organize this winter and compel by leg
islatiop, If necessary, its observance.
How is the order fsring in point OF
membership"
Well. we have 272 local organizations,
with membership running from % up to
l,}OU and ., 800 persons. We have now, tve
Organizers in the field establishing local
assemblies. This winter we will put more
Organizers on the road. At present we
are centralizing our efforts in the Chicago
regions