The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-10-14
POWDERLY'S ADDRESS.
The General Master Workman Delivers
His Annual ADMINISTRATORS Labor Cues


nlS annual address, as follows:
To the Members Of the General Assembly,:
The most eventful and trying year of our
existence as an order has ended, and we as
semble for the purpose of reviewing what
has been done, correcting things that are
wrong, and of ieglslating for the future. II
is required by law that the General Master
Workman shall make out aud submit a report
OF his official acts during the year. L will
address you briefly upon some matters of
Importance and make such suggestions as
consider necessary. The rapid increase in
organization since the Hamilton session of
the General Assembly was most marvellous.
Thousands have been attracted through
mere curiosity, others have come for purely
selfish motives, while the great bulk of our
new recruits have Joined US for the good
that they could do. Quite a few have en-
tered our order for the purpose OF
redressing existing wrongs, and before wait
ing to learn anything concerning the duty
of the Knight to the order, have plunged
into rash and ill-considered strikes. The
troubles coming from this direction began
while the last General Assembly was In SEES
sion. The car drivers of ST. Louis were or
gained under promise from the organizer
that they would receive aid, unstinted, IN
case OF strike, and before the receipt OF
their charter they were on a strike. Their
proceedings were characterized by such
utter dsr6 gard for our laws and teachings,
that the pa d and known agents OF their EN-
ployers-tne detectlves-had no dlihcutly In
securing the passage of motions of q violent
character. For these outrageS the order was
in no way responsible.
THE SOUTHWESTERN STRIKE.
The Southwestern strike began when the
time and attention of the general officers
were taken up with other matters of vital
Importance. No notice of the contemplated
WA EnaU nnfhinU
whatever concerning il or the causes leading
to 1t, until il had been in progress several
days. 1t has been asserted that condemned
the men while they were on strike No Sucn
statement ever escaped my lips. The only
statement of mine that could be made to ap
pear in the light of condemnation was my
secret circular of the 18th of March, copy
of which is herewith submitted. l did not
approve of that strike. / could not do so,
since confidence enough was not repose6 in
the General Executive Board to give them
chance to examine INTO the grievances which
the members of District Assembly l01 COM
planned of. 1t was only when the threat
was made to stop every wheel in the United
States and engage the whole order ia the
difficulty that raised my voice in denial. l
did that in defense of the order and the
country. l am quite willing to assume all the
responsibilities attached to the act and
would do the same thing again under similar
circumstances. That the men of the South
west suffered wrongs, is true; they were
many and grievOus, and il is my firm belief
that the railway companies, with full
knowledge of what these grievances we're,
precipitated the fight themselves at time
when it would appear to the world that the
strike was for an insignificant cause.
THE EIGHT-HOUR MOVEMENT.
The eight hour strike which took place May
l. was not successful except in cases where
employers and employees were acting in har-
mOny: or where employers were willing to
adopt the plan. In many cases the old sys-
TEN of working long hours has been revived
/ cautioned our members against rush ng in
to this movement. l have been accused of
opposing the eight-hOur movement No
statement was further from the truth. OPP
posed the strike on May |, because | knew
that neither workmeu nor employers were
ready for il; because the education which
must always precede intelligent action had
not been given to those most in need of it;
because no definite, business-l.ke plan for
the Inauguration of the eght-hOur move
ment had been mapped out, and for these
same reasons do L still oppose it. a reduc-
ton 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 well Tor an organization, which looks at
ter the interests of but one craft or calling, to
neglect those who stand most in need of help,
but a Knight of Labor must never close his
eyes to the wants of the humblest of his fell
low creatures. The very.discussion of the sud-
den introduction of the eight-hOur plan in
iured business, so much so that in many places
men were reduced to half time or thrown
dollars worth of work was left undOne, be-
cause OF the uncertainty II regard to taking
contracts or in making engagements to per-
form work. Never was it more clearly dem
led that IAN injury to one is the con-
Germ of all" than i'll the movement l am
speaking of. Before the ght-hOur plan is
adopted. the knights of Labor and the trades
unions of America must lay aside their jeal-
BUS eS and differences, come together, name
4 day to put the plan into execution, adopt
he plan OF action which must be gradual,
and such as Will not ihhIct injury upon either
employer or workman. The plan presented
Dy Mr.. Norton, of Chicago, 10 the special ses-
SION of the General Assembly at Cleveland.i lis u
good one in nearly every particular, and if
he wOrkingmenS organizations and the
assOciat. ons agree upon the
putting into practice such plan, II can be
lone without a jar or friction. No working
nan need strike, nor need business be unset
led.
RADICAL CHANGE NECESSARY.
Before short-hour system that will be
IF any benefit to mankind can be inaugu-
'ated, the relation which the workman bears
% labOrsaving machinery must undergo a
'adical change. shorten the hours of labor
Inder our present system, and the streets
viii not be emptied of its idle people. More
machines will be erected, and more children
re called in to feed them. The assertion that
he advocate of short hours desires to stop
PRODUCTION is false. 1t is to make production
gradual and healthy and have it keep pace
With the wants of the people, keeping all men
Employed so that idleness Will d sappear and
he producer remain consumer 20 his fullest
,apacit es; that is, we desire shortening of
he hours of labor. Visit Our lara e and small |
actorIes and you find that the past IS but |
he feeder of the machine of the present. !
We already hear of machines in course of |
perfection which will set tho type and mould |
he cigar better than human hands can do IT, |
md electricity will soon take the throttle and |
ever from the hands of the man who runs |
he locomotive. The day VIII soon dawn |
when these agencies will he doing their work, |
md no "a mechanic
low so proud of his calling, Will stand face |
o face with the alternative OF asking for |
harty or the adoption OF the calling OF |
treet scavinger. When that day comes he |
rho now seeks to array labor against labor |
n asserting that the three-dOllar-a- day man |
hould not move in the same society circle |
With the man who works for 500 n day, will |
ither seek to crowd the Sl00-a-day man out |
# his place or accept the crumbs of charity |
O sustain life. History will repeat itself and |
he fight for ex silence will be waged with
fury.
THE REMEDY.
What is the remedy? The machine must be-
ONE the slave OK the man. instead OF keep
ng the man in attendance on and subOrdi-
ate to the machine. A plan of co operation
Trough which the workmen NAV control the
mach ne he operates must one day supersede
he present system. To properly map out
UGH plan requires more time than nave,
II that [ am likely to have ut my disposal.
an only cooperate with others in the work.
CHILD LABOR
The thirteenth article in our declaration OF
II .ncples reads: The prohibition by law of
he employment of children under fifteen
ears of age in workshops. mines aud fac
ores" The end sought alter in carrying
his declaration into effect IL not that the
nild may live in idleness. 1t is not that
lore adults may be employed. 1t is that
be child of the poor man may be
nableu to acquire an education. to equip
i'm for the duties that will in future fall
pom MIN as a citizen We can not afford TO
ASS the question by and let ia some simple
I chiId labor and education is the most i'm
ortant that comes before US now or at any
Their time. With an education all things are
asy OF accomplishment. Without il hope
lmost dies. l ask that a spec nj committee
II education be appointed to prepare and
TO this General Assembly a plan
OF the better education of American youth.
SUGGESTIONS.
fr-orr hIa wit ha a unions in which |