Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-05

early report might be made to the Order Dy
its own representatives If the position
which I took during that strike was wrong,
then the entire order sustained me in it,
for when issued the appeal for aid to
support those whom the companies refused
to treat with, 1 was most generously sus-
tanned, as reference to the report of the
General Secretary Treasury will show.
The documents and correspondence Of that
strike are at your disposal.
THE EIGHT-HoUR STRIKE,
which took place May 1st. was not sue
cessful except in cases where employers
and employees were acting in harmony, or
where employers were willing to
adopt the plan. In many cases the
old system of working long hours has
been revived. The Federation Of
Trades recommended the ,1st of May, but
adopted or suggested no definite plan by
which the short hour system could be in
augurated. / cautioned our members
against rushing into this movement. | had
the right to do it, and am firm in the be-
lief that had | not done SO great loss
would have been entailed upon vast num-
hers of our Assemblies. What l said in
my secret circular OF March 18th has been
severely criticised, and have been accus-
ed of opposing the eight-hour movement.
No statement ever was further from the
truth. opposed the strike on May lst
because knew that neither workmen nor
employers were ready for it, because the
education which must always precede in-
telligent action had not been given to
those most in need of it, because no deti-
mite, buSineSS-like plan for the inaugura-
ton of the eight-hOur movement had been
mapped out. In fact, no preparations
had been made to put the plan, If it can
be called u plan, into execution. These
are the reasons why opposed the move
ment ON May 1st, and for these same reas-
Ons do still oppose it.
A reduction of the hours of labor is a
necessity; and sooner or later must be
had, but we must not forget that in many
places the ten-hOur plan has not yet been
adopted. 1t may do very we'll for an or
ganization which looks after the interests
of but one craft or calling to neglect those
who stand most in need of help, but n
Knight of Labor must never close its eyes
to the wants of the humhlest OF his tel-
lOw-Creatures.
The very discussion of the sudden intro
duction of the eight-hOur plan injured
business, so much so that in many places
men were reduced to half-time or thrown
out of employment altogether. Millions
of dollars worth of work was left undOne
because of the uncertainty in regard to
taking contracts or in making engagements
to perform work. Never was it more clearly
demonstrated that "An injury to one is the
concern of all' than in the movement
| am speaking of. The house-builder,
through uncertainty rs to how many hours
of labor his employees would work for him,
made no contracts to erect buildings, and
the carpenter was thrown out of employ
ment; the man who made the window
glass; the man who made the nails-in
fact, every man or woman who engaged In
the manufacture OF articles which 90 to
build or furnish a hOuse-sutfered through
the attempt to enfore the eight-hOur sys-
TEN on May lst. The move was in the
right direction, but he time and circum-
stances were not suitable. Before the
eight hour plan is adopted, the Knights OF
Labor and the trades unions OF America
must lay aside their iealousieS and differ
ences, come together, name a day on
which to put the plan into execution,
adopt the plan of action, which must be
gradual and as such as will not inilict in
Jury upon either employer or workman.
IddrcsS Continued on Third PMgc.
At the close of his address Mr.. Powder
ly requested that all those present who
were not delegates should retire, thank
ing them for having come to the opening
session.
Mr.. Bennett, of the Richmond district,
moved vote of thanks to Governor Lee,
and after this was heartily and unani-
mously given, it was followed by a burst
of rousing cheers for Nirginia's Governor.
All but the delegates then left the hall,
and the convention settled down to the
practical work that had called them to-
gether and in which they bid fair to be en-
gagged for the ncxttwo weeks or more. In
secret session the only business done was
the appointment of II committee on
credentials An adjournment was then
taken to 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.