St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-01
FROM SHOP AND MILL.
WELL ANSWERED..
A Minneapolis Machinist COrrects
Some Misata fe manfa.

minneapolis Machinist COrrects
Some Misstatements.
To the Editor Of the Globe:
SHOULD be answered" This is your edito-
rial remark in regard to an article quoted by
you last Sunday, in which it is charged that
the K. Of l.. is "a machine for striking"
will answer from two positions. The
writer is unfair even to gross falsehood. In
the last paragraph but one he assails the
Knights as favoring saloons by the thou
sand instead of schools and churches by
the hundred" Now, it is q conspicuous, as
well as gratifying, fact that the Knights
have put stigma on saloons by their con-
slant refusal to admit keeper of these
houses OF temptation, or seller of liquor,
into their order. Temperance speakers ad-
NIT that the order has been help to the
cause of temperance, and are preparing TO
unite with it in their work. This statement
of the writer deprives him of the respect due
to fair-minded men of all creedR.
The accompanying assertions that the
Knights of Labor does not propose to ''ds
cuss the relations Of employers and em-
psoyes" is so wild and unjust as not to de-
serve notice, but it demonstrates that the
Railway Master Mechanic is an unreliable
publication, If this article indicates its gen.
eral course and character. To educate its
members by discussions and other means is
the cardinal object of the order-nothing else
being equal to it in Importance. But as a
machine for striking I must hope that the
charge is true, provided it be good ma
chine" In England, the greatest trade union
region of the world. they have one society SO
well Organized and so well backed with funds
that it is respected by the great boycotters of
the land. I mean the lordly bosses who
blacklisted without mercy. A committee
from that great organization is received po-
litely, and the questions at issue are discussed
coolly, settled wisely, and without strikes.
In this country our bosses have got to be
taught good manners. The only way, in my
opinion to accomplish that desirable result is
to approach them as equals, without fear or
reverence. To do that the committee mus st
be backed up by the strength of a great
order. We have taught great many would
be boycotters and tyrants that their game
can be played with effect by others. When
made fully aware that they have met their
sion, careful consideration. arguments, facts,
figures. lessons drawn from history''-these
things which this lying writer says the
knights are not willing to use.
The bosses are jealous of each other, are
fighting each other, and so long as they are
left free to do this by their workmen will do
nothing else, and will use all the means in
their power to get ahead Of tn cir compel
itors by reducing wages. If the workmen do
not combine they will be subjugated as indi-
viduals; if they do not form a part and
strong combination, they will be able to keep
up only a disagreeable, expensive and in
effective guerilla sort of warfare. But
united generally they command respect, re-
ceive fair hearings, and settle disp uted ques-
lions easily and justly.
] hope the knights will become so strong
that fair discussion may become the rule and
strikes the exception. a MACEINIST.
Minneapolis, July 81.