Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-19
RIVALS OF THE KNIGHTS
THE OPEN TRADES UNIONS
HOLD A CONFERENCE.

Thirty-two Associations with q Mem
Dership of 367, 736 Represented by
Letter or by DeIegates--Or ganlxstion
for Resistance TO the Encroaehmonts
of POwderIS's Organization the Object
of the Convention.
PHILADELPHIA, May 1S.-The officers
OF twenty national trades unions met
with closed doors this afternoon at Dom
aldson's hall, to take some united action,
it was stated, to resist the encroachments
being made upon open unions by the
knights OF Labor. VIM. Weihe, OF Pitts
burg, President Of the Amalgamated So
ciety OF Iron. and Steel Workers pre-
sided. p. j. Mcguire, OF Cleveland, who
represented the National Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners. acted as Secre-
tary, and Vice President J John s. KirchneF,
of the Cigar Makers International Union,
acted as Sergeant-at-Arms. The Secre-
tary reported that 43 national and inter-
national unions had been invited TO par
ticipate in the conference and that %
delegates were present, each of whom
was prominent officer OF one OF 20 of
those organizations.
THE BODIES REPRESENTED.
The following bodies were represented.
Coal Miners Amalgamated Association.
InternationaI Typographical Union, Coal
Miners National Federation, Iron Mould
ers' National Union, Cigarmakers' Inter-
national Union, National Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and JOiners, National
Association Of Journeymen Bricklayers.
Amalgamated Society of Iron and
Steel Workers, National Furniture
Makers Union, Bakers National
Union, National Granite Cutters
Union, Lasters' Protective Union of New
England, Boiler Makers National Union,
Custom TaiIors of New York, Metal
Workers National Union, German
American Typogra apbical Union, Nailers',
Heaters and Rollers National Union,
stltchers of New England, stereotypers'
Association Of New York, National Fed.
GRAFTON of Trades.
AGREE TO ABIDE THE RESULT.
Letters pledging their respective Unions
to stand by the action OF the conference
were received from the following named
organizations: Druggists, Glass Bio RS,
Eastern League, United States Wool Hat
FInishers' Union, Ohio Valley Trades AS
sembly, National Telegraphers' Associa-
tiOn, National Silk and Fur Hat Finish
ers' Association, American Flint Glass
Workers, National Piano Makers Union,
Amalgamated Society OF Carpenters,
Amalgamated Engineers and Machinists,
and National Mawl Spinners' Association.
THE MEMBERSHIP REPREsENTED.
| The thirty-two associations represented
| by delegates or letters were claimed to
have a total membership Of 367 ,736.
"Each organization" the Secretary said,
"presented its grievance, which will be
laid before the knights Of Labor in an
official way" Before the afternoon ad-
/ L.. A..
OF five had been appointed TO prepare
treaty with the knights of Labor, and To
present to the conference in the evening
an address setting forth the views of the
| trades unions relative 10 the existing
differences. The meetings are held with
closed doors, and each member is pledged
TO secrecy.
TO PRESERVE THEIR INDEPENDENCE.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 2 A. NAT
the close of the evening session, which
continued until after midnight, the Sec
retary stated that resolutions had been
adopted declaring that IN view Of the sue
cess that had attended the efforts OF the
national and international unions In the
past they should strictly preserve their
distinct and individual autonomy,
that it 10 not deemed advisable for
any trades union 10 be controlled
by or to join the knights of Labor in a
body, believing that trade unions are
best qualified to regulate their own in
ternal trade affairs. The resolutions
further declare that it is the purpose Of a
certain element OF the Knights OF Labor
10 destroy trades unions, and that this
element makes il point 70 encroach on
the mission and prerOgatiYes OF trades
unions, arOusIng antagOnism and pro-
voking dissenslOus IN the labor movement
TO the delight and satisfaction of capi-
talIsts.
CONCERTED ACTION NECESSARY.
The conference, however, concluded that
some concerted plan Of action was abso-
lutely necessary 70 prevent a continuance
of this destructive policy and TO establish
harmonious and fraternal relations be.
tween all the various branches OF organ.
lied labor, aud set Of terms was drafted
with this object In view
10 be presented as treaty
for the consideration OF the knights OF
Labor, which will meet next Tuesday at
Cleveland. The nature of the terms was
not disclosed. They will be submitted to
the General Executive Board OF the
Knights OF Labor on Monday next by a
committee Of five as follows: A. Strauss
ser, VIM. Weibe, p. J. MaguIre, David
Boyer, +. +. Fitzpatrick, and Chris.
Evans, one Of the men being an alternate.