Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-15
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
A LARGE suxBER or WOMEN IN TIE
ORDER.
The Tressurer's Repert-RscsiDts Not suf-
heient 70 Meet Rxpenses-Perti'
nent Suggestions.
tBy telegraph TO the Dispatch.l

(By telegraph To the Dispatch.l
INDIANAPOLIS, November 14.-There are
IN The knights OF Labor $1,000 women.
The organizations are represented by
Mrs. l.. NJ. Barry, OF Philadelphia,
general organizer aud lecturer; Mrs.
A. z, Stevens. Of Toledo. and Miss Mary
Burk, Of BelIsre. ONO. Mrs. Barry. who
has especial charge Of this branch OF the
work, says: "ybe organization Of the werk-
ing women has done much 10 better their
condition, butt has Of course been gradual"
She considers education the great relief Tor
the mass Of the working people, and adVo-
Gates all practical means looking 10 that end.
The morning session OF the General AS
sembly was almost entirely devoted 10 the re-
ports OF Treasurer Frederick Turner; OF
the general investigation OF woman's work
and wages, Mr.. l.. VI. Barry; and Of the
General Executive Board. The roll was
called for the introduction by districts OF
documents aud resolutions sucn a. they
would zee fit 10 offer. These were referred
unread to whst IL called the Distribution
Committee. by whom they will be given TO
the proper committees A telegram oil greet
ing was received from Chief Arthur, OF the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers, snd
a recess was taken until the Afternoon.
The General Treasurer read anlitemiZed
report Of the receipts and expenditures Tor
the year ending June ~, 1883, and sup
Elementary report up 70 October 81, lNeS.
The receipts 10 the first from all sources AZ
gregated S222.5)7. The expenditures were
S222607, including s73.Ol9 IN donations,
Sf9,S30 in salaries, S13,0J5 in printing,
Sl49j9 In mileage, and smaller items Tor
paper, hotels, postage. railroad iares, Dauges
aud buttons, expressage, etc.
For the four mouths accounted In the suD-
Elementary report the receipts were 3D.
SOL. 70 aud the expenditures S42926.G2.
ia conclusion Tuner says: According TO
the receipts the tax membership has de.
creased about 100000 during the past fiscal
year, and at the present time the receipts
are not sufficient ~ meet the necessary eX-
peuses. In my opinion a reduction OF
s25, 900 In the expenses can be accomplished
without deiriIaent 10 the order, and lhere-
fore recommend:
1. The abolition Of the mileage paid to
Representatives.
Q. Consolidation Of the Offices Of general
secretary and general treasurer.
3. A reduction Of the General Executive
Board TO not more than five members, less II
possible.
This, based upon the mileage and salaries
paid last year. will reduce the expenditures
As stated above.
In view OF the great falling of IN member
.bip and TIE debt which Is banging over the
order the delegates are now feeling rather
blue and wondering what The outcome Will
he. At the end Of June, 1887, the order was
Sd. 1872 ahead OF It's condition one year later.
Turner says: On June 30, 1888, our balance
was slG4, with bills TO the amount OF 1927
due aud unpaid; October q. 1883, there Is
balance OF SAG. with S2,887 due in unpaid
bills.
10 Der report as general investigator Mrs.
Barry gives an interesting detailed account
OF her work during the year in visiting the
different paris OF the country, her under
Standing OF her work beiug that 81 was 10
do everything in my power that would
IN nv Judgment have a tendency to educate
and elevate the working women oil America
and amelioTate their condition"
In furthsrsnce Of her work she has lee
turcd, and also has investigated The work
done and The wages received by the women
aud girls in the various Industries I'll over
The country. She recommends the adoption
Of a more speedy amelioration OF oppressed
humanity, a clearer defining Of the dunes OF
the officials Of the order, active and earnest
efforts on behalf o. the working women,
and more effective chid-laboF laws. The re-
port Of the General Executive Board is yo-
luminous document, containing an account
Of all matters acted on by the board.
The report Of J. ". HAYS, who succeeded
Charles II. Litchman rs general secretary m
September, will be presented in the morning.
lie gives tabnlated statement u the meu-
bership, showing 1856 locsl assemblies in
good working order with total reported
membership Of 259.5lS and 1880 mot re-
Doried." july /, 1887, the membership, ac-
cording 10 this report, was 45l, l19, showing
loss IN one year Of not less than 1901,
The exact number depending on "uot re-
ported" membership.
Amendments ~ the constitution baYe been
offered from number Of different district
assemblies. Among these nre amendments
providing that the per capita tax 10 the GEN
rTal Assembly be reduced that the Offices
Of general secretary aud general treasurer he
combined: that The General Executive
Board be reduced IN number; that legisli-
ton looking to the better education OF the
members and the public he enacted; that the
officers be elected annually; that strikes and
boycots be supported by the General Assem-
bly only 10 the extent Of money specially So
cured by an appeal for such purposes; that
The salaries Of the General Master Workman
and of the General Secretary aud Treasurer
he 81, 900 per anuum, aud that the salaries OF
the General Executive Board shall not ex-
coed -, 900 and hotel expenses not 10 exceed
50 per day and railroad fares as now. Gene
raj Master orkman Powderly's address Is
expected tomorrow.
The afternoon session to-day was brief
and, like the morning, was devoted TO the
introduction OF resolutions and other mat
ters for reference TO committees. SBarry's
appeal has not yet come before the assembly,
but It is also expected tomorrow. lie now
thinks he will he heard, and that the Trea-
surers report will have much to do with 1t.