Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-23

The knights Of Labor, the Federation
% Trades and the Eight Hour Msye-
neDt.

% Trades and the Eight Mour Asvc-
meat.
The general discussion of the labor situation
at present owing 10 the disturbed condition OF
affairs between the employers and employed in
different localities, as well as the prospect OF
the Introduction OF the eight hour system In a
number Of cities after the Sd OF May, has brought
swo organizations into public notice-the
Knights Of Labor and the Federation OF Trades.
Mr.. Powderiy's recent statement that the
knights OF Labor had taken action a. a
body In regard to the eight hour movement
makes II OF interest to know something I'm re-
gard 20 these organisations. A STAR reporter
asked Mr.. l. w. Oyster, the president OF the
Federation of Labor of this city, what was the
'There il very little difference in this city,"
the members OF the Federation are Knights.
Instance the Brickiayers' Union belongs TO the
rederation, but not TO the Knights. In each
gates from the different trades. Then from
these Federations and the National and Inter
national Unions are chosen delegates 10 the
this city in December. The Federations were
otyanlzed prior TO the knights, and their
objects Cpl are similar, ! think that there was a
neid tor both, and their work OF organizing
LABOR was very necessary. A few years ago
organization was new thing, and every means
that was calculated to bring about such result
is encouraged by all those who have the inter-
ests OF the working classes at heart These are
Two distinct organizations, but they have one
purpose ana, as l have said, in this city the
members I'M, OF one association very largely belong
'You have referred" he continued, ITO Mr..
Powderiy's statement that the Knights have
not ordered strike to enforce the eight-hour
movement Neither has the Federation. All
that has been done by the latter body in this
direction was the adoption of "A recommend.-
lion In favor OF an eight hour day, ana the FUR
ther recommendation, that whenever a labor
tfSfr Q.
tenn into practical operation in this city on the
thlra OF May, Of this year, To do 80. So you
say; i u while the RrlnSpie OF the eigh',hour
mas peen no step taken towards making il
general In Its application. The latter has been
lett entirely to the local bodies and will be de-
termined by the strength of their organization
In this ely, for example, the trades feel that
tney can put the eight-hour movement into
Is not binding upon organizations in other
cities. am OF the opinion that when the sys-
tenn IL established here and In other places IL
can soon be made general"
Nv lille we are ON this subject" resumed Mr..
Oyster, Il should like to say "a word Ia regard
TO the objections made against the eight-nour
DAY by the moralists, as they may be called. IL
Is said that II the men have snoIter hours OF
work. instead OF its being "A benefit 10 them IL
the time on the streets and in the saloons. II
has been the result OF my experience that the re
are no stronger advocates for temperance, and
no better work done for temperance reform by
any organization, than Is being done by the
labor organizations. l know men who will not
even go into a saloon, much less take "A drink,
because they say that the example is bad. l.
nave also noticed that temperance sentiments
In labor speeches are always heartily applauded,
and in our labor meetings great deal OF this
kind OF talk Is heard. Tie woraingmel are no
longer blind 10 their own Interests, but they
have ambition to do something and 10 be some
thing, and IL Is not right say THAI the relief
which they Will gain from hard toll will be used
for their injury. What is needed by our work.
Ing classes is more intelligence and they Will
De better workmen ana 90 more and better
work In eight hours than they ever did in ten."