Telegram-herald., 1889-11-22
THE EIGHT HT-HOURLAW
Fully Discussed by Knights Of La
Der at Atlanta
OPPOSED 10 4 STRIKE sEII NAY
Ths Knights Believe Is wssia Bras
Aissrs 0n Thousands 81 W 0ra ins 1Asn
and ProbAs4s Net Attats ths DE
sirsa object AfteF All

ArrASIA. Ga. Nov. 81 -Tts Knights Of
Labor rsfa to sanction q geasrsi strike ca
tie Isl II Nay 1870 Nr Powasriy and
es executive board are eager for ths pass
axe q e an uEkiag s.glt hours esys
work, bu. tLey thlnk thai q general strike
woull baing misery u thousands Of work
ssgmsn. ana you'd probae aoG attain Tie
de 4red objee, st.sr al Tbs sight-h0ar az
IVES made lhs special order u business by
tie eonvenIioa Tuesday morning. Ths Iust-
ter discussed from every standpoint
TIE Knights 81 Labor have ways been IN
favor Of reducing q days labor Il eight
hours Mr. Fosdsry las frequently re-
qussted ths general assembly q consider the
matter aud give expression 70 its views as 10
tie best method 0; puttiag TIE scheme into
operatioa- During tie convention which
was held in Cleveland Ia lS6d, Mr.. Norton,
q manufacturer Of Chicago, before the gen
sral assembly suggested pan for grad aslly
reducing tae ho 0rs Of worG His plan Was
T. leSssn tie hours OF work a LGif hour dey
each successive year unal ths eight-Aouf
standard was reached. 10 decided action
was taken, bat the assembly wss much in-
pressed with tbs wisdom of Lhs policy.
Ths Trouble g. 1855.
AT this tune, also, the American Fe1sra-
lion of Trades bad been sgiEstiug general
strike for eight hours, aai they appOlutsi
the lst Of Nay, 1855. as tie day on which
tvery lRborer should quit work unless the
demand for eight hours was granted TIE
history OF what folio wed, leading up. IS AZ
did, 10 The Heymarket riot. IS well kaown.
Mr. ~ or,lerly was forced 70 issue circulars
stating that neither TIE general assembly
nor the general officers had ordered any
strike OF wers IL any way responsible for Il
The American Federation OF Trades never
met again The leade-rs, however, organ
lied a similar union, which they named the
American Federation Of Labor. TINS body
met last December, and, according u their
official report, amid tumulious cheers and
enthusiastic applause adopted a motion 10
fix the date FOR the Inauguration of the
eight-hou work day on May ], 1890. The
motion was passed by q vote Of - yeas 70
s nays
a Number OF Documents Submitted.
Last June the general exec ulye board Of
the knights OF Labor issued a circular Asl,-
y
the shorter hour question with view of in e.
structing their delegates so they might act
intelligently at this assembly. The Amsri-
can Federation OF Labor requested the exec
utive board OF the knights TO cooperate
with them in their movement They were
informed that while the board was willing
to listen TO any proposals that might be
made 10 them, they were not invested with
~ To ha - Aaffs
ite action. Mr.. Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, agreed that
be would send 70 the general executive
board in time for presentation at this con-
vention a statement Of his plans, with vie "
OF obtaining harmonious action as to the re-
suit of the discussion going on in the order.
which was caused by Mr.. Powderly's circu-
lar = large number OF documents, together
with Mr. Gompers' letter on the eight-hour
movement were submitted TO the assembly
and were referred TO the committee on the
state of The order.
The Cpmmittee's Resolutions
The committee handed in their report
Tuesday submitting the following resou-
tions. which we're adopted almost unani-
mously:
WHEREAS, The American Federation Of
Labor, which assembled in ST. Louis Dec. II
70 Is, 1885 approved OF the accommodation
Of the president OF the federation, Samuel
Gompers, that day be set apart al this
convention not later than 1899, when the
working people Of the entire country shall
be called upon 10 simultaneously demand the
enforcement OF eight hours as days work,
aud also fixed upon the lst OF May next for
the inauguration Of the eight-hour work
Cay: and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gompers, in a communi.
cation 10 the convention Of the international
typographical union at its recent session IN
Denver, did assert that in the present cond.
tion OF organized labor no movement look
ing 10 strike upon so early date would
receive bis countenance or support; and
@WHKREAs, No plan has been submitted
10 the general assembly by Mr.. Gonpers in
accordance with The understanding arrived
at az the meeting in Philadelphia Oh Oct
IA; Therefore,
~Resolved That we coincide with Tho last
expressed views Of the president o. toe
American Federation OF Labor. expressing.
as they do, the sentiments Of that organ "a
ton that no general strike should be in
auguratei upon May !, 1890. sni that the
movement should be confined TO such trades
as ure IN condition 70 put the plan 10 opera
ton on Nav ], 1890
Resolved. That We call upon the presi-
dent 4 the American Federation Of Labor
t. indicate tho trade or trades organized
within ibe folds Of that society which u or
are prepared 10 successfully insu ursts the
eght-bour movement in May /. 1870 conf
dent that the Knights OF Labor vii lend
the moral support to tue movement 10 "a
vor OF such trade or traie4'