New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-25
ARE THE KNIGHTS TO splits
SIGNS OF GROWING DISSATISFACTION.

1he DISSATISFACTION OF the knights M l&DOr ~
the alleged unconstitutional action Of the Gem
creasing Mr.. powderlys salary ID
$4,000. creating Office for Charles
II. Litchman at $4,000. reducing Frederick Turs
ners salary to $4,000 adding two members TO the
General Executive Board at 81 day and cx
penses and increasing the term OF Office to two
years, is widespread and increasing. Besides. the
unfortunate ending Of the big strike Of butchers
in Chicago the letter OF Mr.. P0wderly denounctns
the Chicago Anarchists and forbidding District
Assemblies "a and 81 from paying over any mon
cys that had been collected for the defence OF
the Anarchists have added to the discomfort, and
the last assessment Of 25 cents ordered by tho
GENERAL Executive Board, in the face OF the fact
that the expenses in the item Of salaries alono
have been well nigh doubled. has started move
ment which will in all probability lead TO spe-
cia session Of the General Assembly. Several dis.
trict assemblies have already refused absolutely
to pay tho last assessment on the ground that 10
is illegal and unnecessary, and many more sep
arate local assemblies in various parts OF tho
country have done the same
II is necessary under the laws OF the order for
five district assemblies in as many different states
to demand a special session. and then the General
Master Workman is bounl to call it.
District Assembly No. "a Of Chicago. to which
the Anarchist circular was addressed, has taken
the initiative in the matter and will in all prob
ability prefer charges against the General Master
Workman before the General Executive Board
for abuse Of authority in issuing the order In re-
gard the Anarchists and in ordering the Chicago
butchers back to work This body has also de-
cided to sign call for specms
session of the General Assembly TO
be held soon. There is little doubt that tho
necessary five States can be secured. At ieas5
one district assembly in New-Yorl< will sign tho
call and there are districts in Connecticut. New
Jersey, In1iana and Michigan Which are ANXIOUS
to have the matter settled as to whether ehe
Knights Of Labor are constitutional BODY or
whether they are entirely in the hands OF tho
Executive Board with right except that or
getting Out reserved for the members
Should there be special session called, there
is little doubt that there will be serious splIt IN
the order. Many Of the most influential men IN
it even in District Assembly 40, are dsgusted
with the way things are going. One OF them
said Yesterday "Powderly has acted like a fool
i'm this matter Of the Anarchists 10 is not .
matter of sympathy with them: il is matter a.
10 whether they shall have fair play. The official
organ of District Assembly No "a. which Pow
derly rcbu<es for raising funds for the defence
| of the Anarchists-a paper called The knight OF
Labor had an editorial shortly after ting arrest
of the Anarchists which read rs follows
Let 1t be understood by all the world that tho
| Knights OF Labor have no afiation, association,
svmpathy or respect for the band OF cOwary MUIR
| Ierere cut hroats and robbers known Anarchists,
who sneak through the country like midnight as-as-
sins stirring up passions OF Ignorant rrgners,
| and unfur ing the red flag Of anarchy causing ROY
| and booished. Parsons, Spies fle,den. Most and
all their followers. sympathzers aldcrs and aDetton
should be summarily dealt with. They are entiucd
| 10 no more consideration than Wild peas,s in0
| leaders ore towards and the followers are fools
| KnIl hts OF Labor boycott theml II one OF mo
| gang of scoundres should by any means get access
| to our organization. eXpel them at once bana
them out awed monsten DO not even psr"as s
| yorrselyes 10 hold conversation win one OF tnem.
Treat them a. they deserve TO be treated as human
monstrosltes not entitled to the sympathy or con-
sheraton OF any rerson In the world VIC are snre
| we so co the sentiment OF the entire orr "a on
Flelden and the whole gang Will he botted rom tho
| face OF the earth.
That does not look like symrathy but bho
organization sees that these men did not gee .
fair trial and nenls to help them secure II Pow
aerlys foolish manifesto will not keep them from
it,"
| A leading member OF District IS. the only dis
trict in the order tlat wins strikes, SAID: Il
have not nearly so high an opinion OF Mr. Pow-
derly and the General Executive Board As | had
six months ago.
There is hardly a member OF the order I'm this
part of the country. outside OF the leaders Oh
district Assembly 40, who does not believe that q
grave mist aIye was made at Richmond In oNerrrt-
ING the constitution in the changes that were
made and the feeling is general that II the order
il to grow and flourish some action must be bakeu
at once. .
Some of the trade districts are considering
| the question of withdrawing from the knights ol
Labor altogether and attaching themselves 10 ti'<
new American Federation OF Labor.