New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-27
TROUBLES OF THE KNIGHTS GROWING.
INCREASING DANGER OF OPEN REvOLr-THE QUAR-

INCREASING DANGER OF OPEN RENOLi-lHE SoAiS-
REL WITH THE UNIONS
Organized labor seems to lie In a bad tangle which
grows instead OF better The dissatisfaction in the
Knights Of Labor is growing widespread and some
members Of the order afraid that the present difficulty
can only result in split There seems to be little doubt
that the legal requirements for a call for
special session OF the General Assembly will be
fulfilled within short time or that the
call will be signed by district assemblies In at least hall
dozen States, perhaps twice that many.
Among the dissatisfied element however, the feeling Is
that matter II the call Is made out according to the
constitution, there is certainty that the session Will be
held One OF them said yesterday: One OF the prn-
cipal things against which protest Is the assumption
of dictatorship by the General Executive Board and their
evident intention to override constitution whenever
1t conflicts with their ideas. IL Mr. Powderly
should refuse to call the special session. what could
we do The General Worthy Foreman, the next highest
officer would take any action. General Secretary
Ltchman certainly would not would the Executive
Board with the single exception of Barry they are all
in accord with Mr. Powdery. Our only remedy would be
to call special session ourselves and then all who at
tended it would be in open revolt and would be either
expelled suspended. This would mean split and
whether prepared for this am not able to
say but 1t may come 10 that should be exceedingly
sorry to IT, If the order is to continue to be OF
use TO the labor movement, something must be done
pretty soon."
The same opinion was expressed by many other
Knights Even of the members OF District No. 49,
the leaders OF which in thorough accord with the
general officers show signs Of disposition to kick over
traces and only the iron discipline maintained by
T. b. Maguire the former Master Workman. who Is now
on the General Executive Board keeps the dissatisfaction
from being shown.
The local fight between the Knights and the open
unions grows bitterness and the time Is not far of
when open warfare will be proclaimed The action
OF the trades unions in Columbus in the formation OF
the American Federation OF Labor has encouraged the
trades unions. 1t said good authority that j. IL.
Cassidy OF the prominent members Of the Amer
Society Of Carpenters and Joners announced pub
cy the Central Labor Union last Sunday that he in
tended to declare to the knife against the Knights
of Labor" The Knights show disposition TO sbirk the
fight and they and the unions do lind com
that strikes will be won by the carpenters for some
Tune, for the knights VIII take the places OF the as
the knights when tney strike The same state OF affairs
s or % e ga s ansh sEs
Labor walters has made contracts with a number OF
halls spuans that only members OF ha. nn IN
the knights Labor has induced the proprietor OF Web
ster Hall In East Eeyenist 70 abrogate that contract
they force the proprietor to hold to the
The S; ss@ Sa1 SnI0n' tho viii soySst:
will have trouble with the Knights after January l.
to go back the tenement house system by Of
STRIKE Is said that u Is this disagreement In tho
ranks labor which has determined the bosses to take
Nearly all the local assemblies attached to District As
semby 40 have now Withdrawn from the Central Laoor
uniou. special dispensaIion given to those IN the
building trades account OF the necessity Of their being
attached to q, ihe Building Trades seemSs %aSs
ont is on foot to have this section Withdraw from the
Council ' Il Is also SAID that petition Is in circulation
asking District No. Az o sanction the Formation o. a
| business as IL IL necessary 10 make public.
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