Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-09
VALIANT LABOR KNIGHTS
MASTER WORKMAN POWDER
LY EXPLAINS THEIR AIMS.

MAS Lbh NOINhMAN EON DNNAA-
LY EXPLAINS THEIR AIMS.
Arbitration Their First object in Case
of DIsputes-strikes Only RssOrted to
as AN Extreme BoycOttinR
Never Employed when II Can be Avoid
ed.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, March S.-Grand
Master Workman Powderly, the head of
the knights of Labor organizations, who
is IN this city attending the meeting OF
the General Executive Board, said to-
night 20 reporter of the Associated Press
that he had received no summons to st.
Louis 20 settle the difficulties between the
strikers and the Gould system OF roads
west. MIR. Powderly said there is no signih-
canoe in the fact that so many strikes are
now in progress in the United States by
assemblies OF the Knights of Labor. He
said:
II is a coincidence merely. and there is no
concerted action contemplated by the order.
as has been suggested the strikes being inci-
dental, and think chiefly owing TO the fact
that this is just the beginning of the spring
trade aud the opening of period OF prOsperi-
ty in business.
NOT TO SHOW THEIR POWER.
Mr.. Powderly upon being asked whether he
did not think that the increase in the number
OF strikes just now was owing to the know
ledge OF an Increased power by the Organiza-
tiOns of labor, said ~ doubt 1t, aud think
can speak for the General Executive Board.
| do not think that it Is wise TO inaugurate 81
many strikes unless it can be shown that there
Is an extreme necessity for them II many of
the men who are striking would disulay q lit
tie more common sense, and use a little more
patience, they would get all they are striking
for and save their time and money in the bar
gain.
ARBITRATION FAVORED.
If they would exercise proper moderation
IN their negotiations with their employ ers and
submit their CLAIMS firmly made and properly
represented to arbitration, | am free 10 say
that | am sure that nine out Of ten cases
which end in a strike could be atisfactOri
arranged without resorting to that extreme
and generally doubtful eXpedient. Indeed,
IN nine cases out of zen there would be no ne
cessity for strike. There Is "A feeling now
that labor must ne recognized by the EN-
pOyer, that the employer must listen 10 his
employees, and the time has come when shop
man, mill owner aud manufacturer in every
department Of trade is ready to narken 20 the
demands of his men and TO yield to them
when those demands are reasonable.
THE POLICY PROCLAIMED.
Arbitration, then, aud not strikes, is the
theory OF the orderY" said the reporter.
''Ges, arbitration always when it Is possible,
a strike only rs a last resort; but when that
point Is reached strike hard, and never sur
rem Ter except to just concessions. Wny, this
board" pointing to the members, "has, since
Jan. ]. last settled By arbitration $50 cases
which would otherwise have resulted in
strikes without the gaining OF single point
| by the strikers. The knights Of Labor and
| other labor organizations constitute at the
present time the most powerful organization
! OF workngmen ever known. It's strength Is
| increasing every day, and its influence Is felt
/ every day in every branch Of trade in this
| country.
DANGEROUS POWER.
at Is dangerous 70 abuse this power. II can
always insist upon Just demands carefully
considered and thOughtfullY dges ed. II can
not afford TO frifter itself away upon every
little pretense of wrong. hastily formulated
and pig-he adedy IN isted upon. The growth
OF the power OF labor should be an occasion
for calm deliberations and moderation. 10 is,
as some one has said before me-, good thing
TO have the power OF giant but it Is an evil
thing 20 use it like a giant. II WAS disposi-
ton on the part OF the employer TO refuse TO
treat with the Workmen that made labor or
gauizatiOn necessity to them. Now that we
have the power, we must use it wisely and
moderately.
STRIKE THE LAST RESORT.
"A strike should be the last resort when eve
rything else has failed, and not an everyday
expedient which. u -ed az such, loses lis power
as IL increases its frequency. In the old
assemblies, which are familiar with our plans
and purposes, strikes are infrequent. II Is
the new organizations which, upon insult
Gent. and frequently trivial, causes, make
this desperate appeal. As our organization
grows there will be less strikes because there
will be less necessity for them. Our power
will be IN time greater than men now think.
II will last so long az we use 1t wisely. n
power no less important than the constitution
Itself"
MORE DESPERATE MEANs.
"Is strike the only last resort Of the
knights of Laborp" asked the reporter.
The Master Work man smiled. ~ see, " said
he. what you are driving at. A strike is
bad thing. but boycott IS worse in its re-
suits. A strike stops production, A boycott
kills n. A strike for week is only a loss -
a weeks business and wages A boycott for
n week can be utter ruin OF business itself.
We have never failed in a boycott which has
been 'dored by the general committee. Its
effectiveness is uudOuhted, but 10 Is au eX-
treme power which we with caution"
POLITICAL DANGERS.
SIS there not danger that your organization
may becO eng ged IN political movements
aud thus lose Its powerY
~ have no fear OF that. The matters in
VOIped in the existence and work OF the
knights Of Labor are nearer 70 its members
than matters OF partisan politics. We have
here. ~ YOU see, on this committee cmbers
Of The two old parties, Greenbacker, and,
with a smile. other era Ks like myself. we
are not poiticiana here. We have a method
0f dealing with those who, as some have, en-
tPr our ranks 10 serve political ends. We
turn them out.
ipl0 NON-PoLTTIcAL.
% seWe do not propose 10 have any part in poll
TICS ~ "a Urehu ana uutitfs me Fignts OF en-
.1iigyed, material and concrete things OF every
d5y life that constitute the elements which 90
. aud always will hold IA together. That h
why do not fear the intrusion Of politics.
When people talk, as sometimes they do,
about using the Knights Of Labor as poliu-
cal engine they utter most arrant nOusense.
i1t h. not worth while TO discuss the matter
with such man. He is either liar or an
empty headed fool"
COAL REGION STRIKE.
In conclusion. Mr.. PowdcrlV said the
,KhightBOf Labor as an organization had moth
Tux 70 do with the strikes IN the bituminoua
IoVn region. ~ the miners we're under eepa-
rate organ izatiOn. but DE WIS satisfied that the
day was near when ali the labor organ cations
bf The country would be united under one
general supervision and control. lie will re-
man in Philadelphia several days unless
called West 10 arrange difficulties there.
FREE VERSUS CONVICT LABOR.