The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-15
KNIGHTS LOSING GROUND
A LOSS OF 100000 MEMBERS IN
THE LAST YEAR.

Meet Bxpenses-A Plan Submitted
for More Economical Management of
the Order-The Outlook for the Fu-
ture Far From Bright.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Nov. 14.-There
were in the Knights of Labor between
10000 and ~, 900 women, and the number
has reached $1,000. These organizations
are represented by Mrs. l.. NJ. Barry OF
Philadelphia, general organizer and
lecturer; Mrs. A. p Stevens of Toledo, aud
Miss Mary Burk of Bellaire, O. Mrs.
Barry, who has especial charge Of this
branch of the work, says: Tho organi-
zation of working women has done
much to better their condition, but it has,
of course, been gradual"
She considers education the great relief
for the masses of the working people, and
advocates all practical means looking to
that end
SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY.
The morning session of the general
assembly was almost entirely devoted to
the reports of the treasurer, frederick Tur
ner; of the general investigation of woniens
work aud wages, by Mrs. l.. NJ. Barry, aud
of the general executive board.
The roll was called for the introduction
by districts of documents and resolutions
such as they would SEQ fit to offer. These
were referred, unread, to what is called the
distribution committee, by VIII I'm they will
be given 10 the proper committees
A telegram of greeting was received from
Chief Arr thur, of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers, and a recess was taken
until afternoon.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Phe general treasurer read an emized
report of the receipts and expenditures for
the year ending June 80, 1888, and supple
mentary report up to Oct. 81, 1883. The
receipts, in the first, from all sources aggre-
gate, 1922, 507. The expenditures were
S222, ,5U7, including S73,019 In donations,
$40, $50 Ill salaries, $23 005 In printing, $l4,-
959 in mileage and smaller items for paper,
hotels, postage, railroad fares, badges and
buttons, expressage, etc For the four
months accounted for in the supplementary
report the receipts were So, ,591 73 and the
expenditures S42, ,926 62.
ALoss OF 300, 900 MEMBERS.
In conclusion, Mr. Turner SAYS:
According TO the receipts from the tax, the
membership has decreased about 300, 900 during
the past fiscal year, and at the present time the
receipts are not sufficient to meet the necessary
expenses. In my opinion a reduction of SIS, 900
in expenses can be accomplished without detri-
ment to the order, and. therefore, recon-
mend:
!. Abolition of mileage paid to representa-
tives.
2. Consolidation of the offices of general sec
tary and general treasurer.
3. Reduction of the general executive board
TO not more than five members; less, If possible.
This based upon the mileage and salaries paid
last year will reduce the expenditures as stated
above.
DARK OUTLOOK.
In view of the great falling off in menu
bership and the debt which is hanging over
the order, the delegates are now feeling
rather blue, and wondering what the out
come will be. At the end of June, 1887, the
| order was IS, ,972 ahead of its condition one
year later Mr.. Turner says:
| On June 30, 1888. our balance was 81, ,s64, with
| bills to the amount of S9,2s7 due and unpaid.
| Oct. 81 1883 there is balance Of SAC, with
| S2,SS7 due and unpaid bills.
MRS. BARRY's REPORT.
In her report as general Investigator,
| Mrs. Barry gives an interesting detailed ac-
count of her work during the year in visit
| ing different parts of the country, her
understanding of her work being
that, II was to do everything in
my power that would IN my Judgment
have a tendency to educate and elevate the
working women of America aud amsliorate
their condition" In furtherance of her
work, she has lectured. and also has investi-
gated the work done and tho wages re-
ceived by women and girls, in various in
| dustries all over the country. She recon-
mends the adoption Of plans for the more
| speedy amelioration of ofoppressed humanity,
| clearer defining of the duties of the officials
| Of the order, active and earnest efforts on
| behalf Of working women and more Of
| fective child labor laws.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.
The report of the general executive board
| is a volunninous document, containing an
account Of all the matters acted on by the
| board.
The report Of J. w. Hays, who succeeded
Charles II. Litchman as general secre-
tary in September, will be presented in
the morning. He gives a tabulated state
mont of the membership. showing
$500 local assemblies in good working
order, with total reported membership OF
| 259, SIS and $1,000 "not reported" July /,
| report, was 45l, 179, showing a loss in one
| year of not less than l53.76l, the exact
number depending on the mot reported
membership.
| CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
| Amendments to the constitution have
| been offered from q number Of different
district assemblies. Among these are
amendments providing that the per capita
tax to the general assembly be
reduced; that the offices of general
secretary and general treasurer be
combined; that the general executive
board be reduced In number; that legisla-
tion looking to better education Of the
members and public be enacted; that Off
GERS be elected annually; that strikes
and boycotts be supported by
the general assembly only to
the extent of money specially secured by
appeal for such purposes; that the salaries
! OF the general master workman and of the
general secretary treasurer, be $1,000 per
annum, and that the salaries Of the general
executive board shall not exceed ~, 900, and
| the hotel expenses not to exceed ~ per day,
| with railroad fares as now.
General Master Workman Powderly's
address Is expected tomorrow.
The afternoon session to-day was brief
and like that Of the morning was devoted
| to the introduction OF resolutions and other
| matters for reference TO committees. Mr..
| Barry's appeal has not yet come before the
assembly but it is also expected tomorrow.
| He now thinks he will be heard aud that
| the treasurer's report will have much TO do