Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-19
TRADES UNIONS.
A Conference To Resist the Encroach-
meDts of the knights.
fBy telegraph TO the Dispatcn.l

lBy telegraph 10 the Dispatcn.l
PHILADELPHIA, May l6.-The
officers Of twenty national trades unions
met, with closed doors, this afternoon at
Donaldson's Hall TO take some united ac-
ton, II was stated, 10 resist the encroach-
ments being made upon open unions by the
Knights OF Labor. Villa m Weihe OF Pitts
burgh. president OF the Amalgamated 30
ciety Of Iron and Steel Workers, presided.
T.. J. Mcguire. Of Cleveland. who repre-
sented the National brotherhood OF Car
penters and Joiners acted as secretary, and
Vice President Iohn g. Kirchner, OF the
CigarmaKefs' international Union, acted rs
seTgeant-at-arms. The secretary reported
that forty-three national and International
unions had been invited to participate in
the conference, and that twenty-five dele
gates were present, each OF whom was
prominent eflicer OF one OF twenty OF those
g3nizations.
The following bodies were represented:
Coal Miners AmalgRmated Union, Inter-
nationsl Typographical Union. Coal Miners
National Federation, Iron Moulders Ma
tional Union, Cigarmakers' International
Union, National brotherhood OF Carpenters
and Joiners. National Association OF Jour
neymen Brlcklayefs, Amalgamated Society
OF Iron and Steel-W orkers. National Furni-
turema kers' Union, Bakers NatioDal Union,
National Qualifications Union, Lasters'
Protective Union OF New England. Boiler
makers National Union. Custom railors OF
GeTman-American typographical Union,
Nailefs, Heaters, aud Rollers National
Union, Stijchers OF New England, StereO-
typeIs' Association OF New York, National
Federation OF Trades.
Letters pledgipg their respective unions
10 stand by the action OF the conference
were received from the following named
organizations Druggists and Glass-Blow-
crs' Eastern League, United states Wool
Hat FInishers, ohio Valley Trades Assem-
bly,, National 1elegHphers' Association,
National SILK and fur-lIa Flnisners' As
ISOLATION. American Fllnl-Glass Workers.
National Piano Makers Union, Amalgs-
mated Society OF Carpenters, Amalga mated
Engineers and Machinisis, and National
Mawl-SpinneTs Association. Thirty-two
associations represented by delegates or
letters were claimed 10 have total mem
beIship OF 367.756.
Each organization" the Secretary said.
presented It's grievance, whicn will be laid
before the Knights Of Labor In an official
way"
RefOre the afternoon adjournment IL was
stated a committee Of I'VE had been ap-
pointed To prepare treaty with the
Knights OF Labor and TO present to the Con-
ference in the evening All address setting
forth the views of trades unions relative To
the existing differences. The meetings are
held with closed doors. zach member Is
pledged to secrecy.
At the close OF the evening session, which
continued until after dnight, the secre-
tATy blntcO Lntt ItSoluilOuS uAl Detu aunpL-
ed declaring thai. In view Of the success that
had attended the efforts OF national and
International unions in the past. they
81 oud strictly preserve their distinct and
Individual autonomy; that 10 Is not DEEM
eel advisable for any trades union TO be con-
troled by or to join the Knights OF Labor in
a body, believing that trades unions are
pesI qualified 10 regulate their own inter-
nai trade ailaits.
The resolutions further declare that it is
he purpose OF a certain element OF the
Knights OF Labor TO destroy trades unsus,
and that this element makes II point %
encTOach on the mission and prerogat YES
Of trades unions. arousing autagonism ani
provoking discussions in the labor move
ment, TO the delight and satisfaction OF cap
italists.
The conference, however. concluded that
some concerted plan OF action was abso-
lutely necessary 10 prevent continuance
OF tins destructive policy aud to establish
harmonious and fraternal relations be-
tween all the various branches OF organized
abor, and set OF terms was drafted with
this object in view, TO he presented as a
treaty for The consideration OF the Knights
OF Labor, which will meet next Tuesday at
Cleveland. The nature of the terms was
not disclosed. They will be submitted to
the General Executive Board Of the Knights
OF Labor on Monday next by committee
OF fiNe.