New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-13
SCORING The KNIGHTS or LABOR.
DEN oUNCED by PRESIDENT GoMPERs, OF THE
FEDERATION OF LABoR-THE
FrGHT.uOIrR LAW

ST. louis, Dec. lo.-The American Federation VI
Labor resumed It's session the Central Turner Ia"
al o'clock this morning. President Gompers I'd '.'o
chair. 1t found that the dinner OF last "s"'
had kept many OF the delegates from appod'i"e
promptly, none Of the committees appointed yes'eru"y
being ready to report Wien the secretary ieio''
was called for that officer asked additional iime'
which was granted spec a. committee OF seven
was tn n appointed report upon that section VI
President Gompers's address referring to the eshi-
hour law. The section referred to Is in part As Aoi
lows ,
81 believe this subject (thc clght-hour law shouu
either be discussed by the convention In the Commit
tee of the Whole or referred TO a special committee
foe consideration and in connection with this Nouih
suggest further that should encourage the iofhla
ton OF eight hour leagues In every city ana 'o""
through the entire country, and that me raic uons
aid labor unions should be represented IN iheh no'
TO conflict with the local Central Labor Unions or
Trade Councils, but to concentrate their chor's upon
the eght-hour movement alone suggest rur'her
that certain day be set apart, some holiday, proo-
ally February %, 1850, which mass mee'inss shai
be held simultaneously throughout tho en'hS 'ou'S
for tho discussion Of this subject and RESOLUTIONS o
a similar character be submitted to each OF 'neso
meetings There other matters Of detail con-
with this subject which 1t is unnecessary now
to refer tor
That portion OF President Gomperss. address re-
ferrnc 10 the Knights of Labor in which he handles
Master Workman Powdcrly without gloves, has created
quite sensation. President Gompers says "oi inc
Knights of Labor can only say thai their conduct
toward the Trade Unions within the last year has not
improved 1t has seemed whether by design or other
WISE to be their purpose. trade union has had
a dispute with employer, TO .hrOw the influence Oh
their organization aiust the tUilerS. during inc
last year they have had several successes ~hch udIc
ds putes I'm progress, bul in each Instance was
on the side of the corporation or Of the unfair en-
ployer: .o ,nor
while In Philadelphia few months ago, upon
official business OF the Federation an iniimalon was
given me- that an interview between Mr. Powderly
and myself would be agreeable for the purpose OF
discussing the question Of harmony or CO.
operation of efoit of the American, fedea-
ton OF Labor and the Knights. with view
of putting an erd TO the vexatious qucs.
tlons that have es trangcd the two organizations. Your
prcsdcn consented and accompanied by Secretary
Mcclure the interview took place. general conversa
ton was indugcd In and promise made that we
should meet again before the Knights convention,
and cndcavOr 10 arrive al Tangible conclusion or
basis the mkt w"ek A letter was subsequently
sent by to Mr. Powderly, stating th' advsabilty OF
a conference taking place the following day. NJ
Pow derly answered that he would not be In the city
at that lime, but would return in about week from
then when further conference would be ayr eaple
to him | am cicdhly informed that Mr. Powdcrly had
left Phi adephia the day named and since thcn
] regret % say. 1 have heard from him."