The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-10
THE. KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
A Claim that the Membership Has Fallen
from ZOE, 900 to 100000.

Pittsburg Dispatch.
The special committee appointed at the con-
veution of the seceders from the Knights Of La
Dor, held In New York last week. draw up .
circular explaining the situation have completed
their work The circular is addressed to the
Knights Of Labor, and is signed By Joseph r
Buchanan. secretary Of the provisional corr
mittee. The substance Of the circular ID ap-
pended:
During the past half year appeals and demands
have been made of the general officers to produce .
report of the financial transactions. but hotwith.
standing the fact that the officers threatened
with legal proceedings TO compel an accounting no
report has been given and none ever viii be-
neapolis. pure blufism, and that line has been
strictly adhered to since. The order has been
feted with buncombe it has been fed upon abuse OF
the men who protested In the name of honest labor
at Minneapolis. But not one charge made by the
kickers" has been answered though several of the
latter have been suspended expelled without trial
or even regular charge by the general officers
This Is not bright picture but the other side.
Because of the refusal of the administration reply
and the evidence furnished showing their
good men and women who are true to the OF
labor and who refuse TO support individuals ring
selfish ends, have left the order.
Districts have dissolved locals have lapsed and In
dividual members have withdrawn their support. At
the Richmond session of the General Assembly. the
reports showed 702 600 members. At Minnes polls
the figures were 4s3. 900. On the first day of the
present month the sbooks of the general secretary
show less than 100000 members in the ordsr
showing loss of more than onehaif of the member
ship since the last General Assembly.
Further the depletion seems to have only begun
and the indications that at tbs grand organization
which numbered 702 900 sons and daughters of toll
In 1856. will be reduced TO less than onefth of that
bly,
The revenue At the present time is not sufficient to
pay the large salaries of the general officers and to
keep the primo ely establishment they have provided
for themselves in Philadelphia.
It 10 said that bills overdue, and that financial
ruin stares the order in the face.
The general master has asked permission to lay
assessment of cents per capita ostensbly send
out lecturers, but really to funds 70 paw the
debts of tie general Office and keep the machine
creased until the Indianapolis session Of the General
It's thought TO be the purpose of the
ring 70 either such changes at the session
OF the General Assembly as viii raise the tar upon
the members and reduce necessary expenditures so
that the general officers viii be secured their ex-
oroltant salaries or 10 surrender their places and
scheme for the election of others upon whom they
hope to unload the odum of the destruction wrought
by their dishonesty and incompetency.
Therefore, to secure the safety of the movement
necessary that the true Knights guard these prnepes
- the soul OF the labor and that reorgan
i,aton which win leave the traitors with nothing but
their machinery shall take place.
The provisional organization viii accomplish this
good work: VIII you join and help to hasten the
eanized power in the land power that win be lasting
and that cannot be overthrow By incompetent and
rascally 1eadersl
The secretary win furnish assemblies earnest in
dividuais with full particulars TO the present
strength of the provisional movement and instruc-
| ton upon organization reorganization.
The Provisional Committee.
1 JOSEPH r. BUCHANAN, Sec.
| Mention has been made of the decrease in
| membership in d. A 3, but this is denied by
Master Workman Doyle. who says that the
| claims OF the provisional committee are extrava-
thopi Il. Asr~ hxarc If h.. I'D
roborate Mr.. Doyie's statement. and believe
| this district will send many delegates to In
dianApolis as were sent 70 the General Assem-
| bly, at Minneapolis.