The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-18

Efforts of the Executive Committee of the
Knights in Checking Strikes.


EuOrtS Oh the Executive COmm1tCe0 Oh the
Knights in Checking Strikes.
Philadelphia Record
The general executive committee of the
Knights of Labor and other officials of that
order in all sections of the country deserve much
more credit than is accorded to them for the
services they are rendering to the cause of labor
and the industrial interests at large in checking
the striking tendency. But for its repression it
would assume a much more formidable shape
than it has They are counseling and enforcing
quiet measures and moderate action. Employ
ers, in many cases, are doing the very reverse.
They show hostility to organized labor, which
does more to stimulate strikes than any other
one cause.
The executive board of the Knights of Labor
has been obliged to put stop to the organization
of assemblies for forty days. Too many are
crowding in, and sufficient care cannot be taken
to keep out the unworthy. The order is growing
beyond the conception of its founders. The gen.
eral executive committee is overburdened with
work. At the present time it has nearly 500 APP
peals, grievances and complaints from within its
own membership concerning both internal and
external troubles. Some machinery, it is recog-
nized, must be established and set TO work in the
nature of knightly courts wherein difficulties,
both internal and external, can DO promptly
settled, and it is proposed to establish such
courts for that purpose 1t is thought that
there will be no difficulty found in Obtaining
men with level heads to do this work.
They are, however, very scarce; but a
sense of responsibility develops a wonderful
capacity. About 100 assemblies per week are
being organized. In Evansville. Ind, seventy
five colored men were organized into the assem-
bly, from hod-carriers up. In Milford, Mass,
the Knights of Labor ticket made clean polit-
ical sweep. In Hartford, Conn, the Knights
were obliged to hire a music hall to initiate 200
applicants. The street-car drivers of New York
and the printers and shoemakers have each a
district assembly of their own. New assemblies
are springing up all over Ontario through the
efforts of general lecturer who has been at
work there for months. The Knights are carry
ing things their own way in New Orleans. At
Bath. Me-, the Knights ordered weekly
payments. A State assembly was or
ganized in Kansas, with representatives
from s n. dozen p. or more large cities
cent Of the population is in the order. The
farmers and lumbermen of Lake View have an
assembly of their own. The Knights IL Topeka
Kan, own their hall. The unionists of Lynn
hall. The St Paul horse-car drivers demanded
and secured shorter hours The printers there
are busy.
The Montreal Witness says "His Holiness
the Pope has issued decree directed specific
ally against the Knights of Labor, whose con-
stitution has been submitted to him." On this
subject the Post says: 1.-THE decree to which
| the Witness refers as coming from his Holiness
the Pope is not directed against the Knights
Of Labor. What has led the Witness into error
is its want of knowledge regarding decree
| from Rome directed against a constitution
which was alleged to have been that of t.o
| Knights of Labor. Such constitution, however,
| is not that Of the Knights Of Labor, conse-
| quently the decree directed against them cannot
| affect them" The Catholic Church. however. is
| not q unit as to the recognition of the Knights
| A very prominent Catholic Bishop answers the
request TO lecture before the Knights as follows:
| s'The cordial invitation of the Knights of Labor
| is thankfully received. In my opinion the order
| is not generally misunderstood as what you
| seem to think. It aims at justice to the work
| ingmen in regard to fair wages and the proper
recognition of his manhood. /. who have lived
in factory towns for thirty years, say God speed
| the order You have my sympathy in your en-
| deavor to ameliorate the condition of the op-
pressed and lift them up to comforts and re
| spect"
| A new organization has sprung up in the South
| called THE Wheel" 1t has seven planks. SINH
lar in many respects, to those of other labor or
| CARNATIONS. but more of political complexion
The membership has grown rapidly It's first
plank demands that telegraphic and railroad
| lines be controlled by the government, and that
national bank currency be retired and that usury
| laws be prohibited.
A movement is on foot TO have Michael
Davitt, the Iri3h patriot, commissioned as an or
| ganzer of the knights of Labor in Great Britain
| and Europe
/ A scheme is being worked up to establish CO.
| operative colony at the terminus of the pro-
! jected Topolabompo railroad, on the Pacific