Morning journal and courier., 1889-10-15
| LABOR CONFERENCE

Between the Representatives OF the
American Federation of Labor and
tho Knights OF Labor.
PHILADELPHIA, Penn, Oct. IA confer
ence between representatives of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor and the Knights of
Labor took place 81 the Girard House this
afternoon. There were present General
Master Workman Powderly, Secretary Hayes
and A. W. Wright, representing the latter
body, and President Samuel Gompers, Will
liam Martin of Pittsburg and Henry Ehmann
and John B. Lennon of New York, repre-
senting the federation. The conference
harmonious throughout. The first business
discussed was the present condition Of the
eight hour movement. On behalf of the
Knights it was stated that the executive
board could do nothing as a board
until the general assembly. which
had acted on the matter. The
board has sent circulars to all local
assemblies asking them to discuss the matter
80 that delegates will 60 to the general assem-
bly, fully informed as to the views of the
people they represent on the question. Re-
ports received indicate that there has been
a very general discussion of this question of
shortening the working day to eight hours
among the various assemblies throughout
the country and it is thought that this will
be one of the most interesting subjects of de-
bate at the coming general assembly.
On behalf OF the federation it was stated
that letters had been sent to public men,
clerRymen, authors, editors, manufacturers
and business men generally explaining what
was wanted by the workingmen and asking
opinions en- the subject. Replies more or
less favorable, it was stated had been received
from prominent men throughout the coun-
try. The federation's representatives also
stated that they have issued series Of three
pamphlets bearing on the question and have
held meetings all over the country, notably
on Washington's birthday Fourth Of July and
ton was agitated. The federation agreed to
give the Knights of Labor executive board
for presentation to the general assembly
written statement Of their views
and their plan of action, and
President Gompers If possible will
attend the general assembly and address the
delegates. The knights have agreed to
shat may be taken by the general assembly
bearing on the eight hour question. The
present condition of the relations of the diff
erent labor organizations to each other was
next discussed with view to harmonizing
various interests and to prevent disputes and
disagreements in the future. The knights
representatives offered written proposition
which suggests a mutual exchange of work
ing cards, mutual recognition Of the trade
labels, and the adoption Of a rule which
would prevent one body from organizing the
suspended or expelled members of
another. The federation proposed that the
Knights of Labor discourage the for
nation Of trade organizations within the
order, the promise being made that the fed
Grafton would then urge the members of
unions to connect themselves with mixed as
semblies of knights.
It was agreed that the matters above re-
ferred to should form the subject of discus
sion at future conferences, it also being
agreed that these conferences should be con-
tinued from time to time. This is the third
conference that has so far been held. An
other will be held between the meeting Of
the general assembly at Atlanta and the an
nual convention of the federation at Boston
December 10.