St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-19
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Interview With Grand MASTER
workman POVyderiy.

Interview With Grand Master
workman POVyderiy.
T. V. Powderly, grand master workman
of the Knights of Labor is now on his way
to st. Paul and Minneapolis TO confer with
the assemblies of that organization in the
state. In Chicago he was caught by a
GLOBE reporter and spoke as follows:
CHICAGO, July 1S.-"There are in the
knights of Labor" said Grand Master
Workman T. Y. Powderly to a GLOBE re-
porter, 100000 men in good standing. In
times ofdepresSion like these there are a great
many who are behind in their dues. These
are not in good standing. There are not
less than 800, 900 of such now. They can
be reinstated by Strengthening their ac-
counts with their local assemblies. The
Knights of Labor" continued the speaker,
''waS founded 10 act as a conciliator between
employers and their workmen, and the
public does not know that it eXertS all its
influence, and has ever since its commence
ment, to prevent strikes. There was never
strike in the United States that
was sanctioned by the organization. There
never was an instance of labor trouble
where the general assembly of the order
was called Oh before strike to cOnciliate
that matters were not amicably arranged
l remember especially one case in point.
Some few years ago the pOtters of the city
of Trenton, y. j., disputed with the manu-
factuers there over wages. Thousands of
men were out and the employees had am Or
ganiZation among themselves and were
united. There was no assembly of the
Knights Of Labor there, but in one of the
local
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
there happened to be few knights. They
suggested that the general executive COM
mittee of the order be asked by the men tc
attempt a compromise. The suggestion
was taken and and my associates went tC
Trenton. The manufacturers said they had
no objection to meeting us and treating IL.
courteously. but as for talking of arbitra.
lion they wouldn't think of it, but they ap
pointed a committee and we met them anC
we were cOurteously treated, and, marvelou
as it may apper. iii one day we reached ;
compromise that was agreeable to the mel
and agreeable TO the manufacturers, ant
that ended the trouble" There are nov
ten assemblies of Knights of Labor a
Trenton. There have been instances, o
course" said Mr.. Powderly, Sin which on
organization has helped members out on
strike when, after investigation, it wa
found that they did not act improperly. II
nine cases out of ten
STRIKES ARE UNREASONABLE,
growing out of the unreasonableneSs or hot
headednesS Of one side or the other. Tn
Knights Of Labor organization aims to edu
cate worknen up TO a standard of reason
ableness. For instance, there are strike
in times of depression when if the work
men took into consideration all things the
would be inclined to concede.a reduction il
their wages. On the other hand, in time
of depression employers, many of them
start at once to cut and slash wages befor
trying to retrench in other directions. TIL
hot-headedness and ignorance Of workmen
the ignorance and selfshness of employer
are what we try to amelioraue. The Knight
of Labor began its existence in Philadelphia
among the garment cutters, and wa
founded i'll 1865 by Uriah S. Stevens,
cutter, who was trained for the Episcops
clergy. In 1878 it adopted as its declare
ton of principles the code framed in 1873 b
the great congress of the industrial brother