Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-20

The alleged expose OF the secret work OF the
Knights OF Labor by the Amsterdam, y. Y, Demo
crat and announced in kilograms 10 THE STAR, has
excited considerable interest. The ritual OF the
Knights OF Labor, it is stated is in the hands OF
only one person in each local assembly, and he is
generally the Master Workman. The organizers
usually carried copy with them. II a person is
caught giving away the secrets OF the order he is
expelled. Altogether, 1t is said, about 1000 per-
sons have been expelled for giving out the
secrets of the order, but no one ever be-
fore published them in a newspaper. Many
initiate men into the order OF the
Knights OF Labor in barrooms and were reported
year or so have been lighting W. J. Kline, owner
OF the Amsterdam Democrat. in which, what pur-
ports to De their ritual has just been published.
greatly regretted but that it viii not involve their
fixing up new ritual right away.
Among the signals" given in this expose are the
following:
.Sign OF Recognition-The sign is made with the
LETT hand The thumb and first two fingers OF the
at the cum on the right hand. Thumb on the out
side OF the two fingers inserted On the inside;
make motion as If to turn up the cuff: The Ian
Suage OF the sign Is: Il aIn q worker the answer
Is made in this manner: Draw the right hand open
across the forehead from left TO right, back OF The
hand TO the front. The language OF the sign Is: H.
too, earn my bread by the sweat of my brow
verbal Challenge-The Following wOrdsare used
where member iDight DE seeking for work or In
formation: have come A member replying 10
the challenge: 'Work your way. ANY words can
be used after the words come and sway not
for work.
''Cry OF Distress Ito be used in the dark or when
the sign OF recognition cannot be uSed)-the words
are: ! am stranger. giving emphasis To the
word stranger. Any member O, the order hearing
this Will answer: A stranger should be assisted.
Cumion.-As the value o. the cry of distress, for
practical use, depends entirely the accuracy OF
wording, great care should be exercised in in
SLruct1ng candidates. especially great Irregular
ities now exist. The words given above are OF the
Official work, although me.aDers are allowed to
supplement the words given with others, not
to attract undue attention from those not inen-
brrs, rs Tor Instance: i ain a stranger and need
assistance AInWeT-.A stranger Should be as
sisted and for one am willing TO help you Any
similar additional words may be used.
"Slgn OF Caution-CiOSe the last two fingers OF
the snt hand. leaving the first two fingers
tended; place the two extended fingers The lett
side OF tie forehead back OF the hand TO The mont
Then draw hetingers across the forehead towards
TIE right and down Over the right side or the face,
then across the mouth toward the lett, the thumb
Ulcer The chin in a careless manner
The general assembly at the Philadelphia ses-
sion decided 10 return the cid form initiation,
and the A. h. Is changed accordingly.
'Tne Unknown Knight administers the pledge.
after which he proceeds win the candidate 4v
worthy Foreman for instructions. then to the
Master woman for LIS address End finally TO
t!lct Easter Woikme.i for the use of local assem-
bes attached to q! ,J!ictS is changed senli-annu-
ally, In January ana July OF each yeaf. These in
structicns by the Geae-al Master Workman as to
the proposed Name OF opening a local assembly
are hereby Officially prOnulg ited.
"Nhca the Master Workman has taken his
stand al the capital ana says, All PERSONS en-
1i,ed to si-, &C., the Worthy Inspector takes tue
globe and lance and proceeds to make an examina-
ton OF the Outside ami Inside Wells with them.
PREVIOUS TO these proceedings all persons are at
Hhef;y 10 enter the roull, but the y,ii> Then
closed, and none can enicr without giving the
Password. When the worthy Inspector goes TO
the outer Veil 10 lllt the globe in rs place Le Out
size ESQUIRE also GScS his place in the ante-roon,
and WhCr the Worthy Inspector enters The in>ii.
ven the Ilside Esquire TAKES his pace. he or-
thy IiEIlecjof bllng, Tie Odt Idle ESQUIRE in with
him When he returns after eXaIliininy the wells.
"a member CT The order Is n0G required 20 i've
the password ct the wells until The proper mbo,
Is in its place. Ii these not An place whiIe the
WORTHY Inspector Is taking up tn password
shrewd person can slip in without giving The pass
word 10 either the Outside Esquire or Inside
Esquire, and at the same time eiude the Vigilance
OF TIE Worthy Inspector"
TIE RITUAL ALWAYS CHANGING.
The New York Sun OF Sunday says That Knights
OF Labor suspect that the publication o. their
ritual is to be attributed to some open union man
who has withdrawn from the order. One OF the
fraternity in New York said that since Secretary
Turner issued the circular VI nich WIS published
Some OF the ceremonies CT initiation had been
materially changed. and that The signs arI grips
were always changing. The passwords were
generally selected by the district assembly.