Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-09
POWDERLY'S EFFORTS.
Everything to be Forgiven and RENTED
II Locals VIII Only Come Back.

Pittsburg special to the Philadelphia Press
says: A last effort is to be made to hold the
Knights of Labor together. The signs of dis
integration have terrified the general execu-
tive board. A circular signed by General Mas
ter Workman Powderly has been sent out to
the recording secretary Of every district as
sembly in the order. This circular will be laid
before the executive board Of District Assem-
bly, No. 8, Of this city, at its next meeting. In
few words, it is to the effect that all lapsed
locals can be reinstated without the payment
Of their back dues or the fees necessary to the
procuring of new charter. Two years ago
the order was stiff necked in matters Of this
kind Then if O local lapsed or was suspended
on account OF non-payment of dues, it was its
business to get back into the order il it could.
The new circular directs that the district or
ganizers and general lecturers be instructed to
use every effort for the reorganization of lapsed
locals and instructs the district officers that in
all cases of lapsed locals reorganizing and COM
ing back into the order they shall be received
without payment of the usual fees, and the
general officers will see that the fees and back
dues charged against said locals are RENTED.
The fees for the reorganization of a local are
within a few dollars OF as much as the fee for
the original charter. The circular also directs
that all locals that have been suspended for
non-paymeut of dues shall be reinstated. There
are number of locals of this character in Dis
trict assembly 8, and in the order there are
hundreds of them. If by this move they can
be brought back the order will again be placed
on firm footing. 1t is expected that this
scheme will weaken 7. B. Barry's move and
also have a powerful effect in keeping the Mo-
nongahela miners in National district assembly
1876. In that district there are probably more
lapsed locals than in any other in the order,
and rather than again pay the charter fee, they
will desert it altogether and join with the Min
ers progressive union.
MR. PowDERLY's REJoINDER TO THE FOUNDERS.
The circular issued to Knights of Labor and
signed by the seven men who founded the
Knights of Labor created considerable COM
ment in labor circles in Philadelphia, When
Mr.. Powderly was questioned by reporter on
the matter he said: ''Those who claim to be
founders are Just no founders at all Within a
short time a meeting has been held in this city,
| and besides the four whose names are attached
to this circular there were present Victor
Drury, of New York: Fred Turner, of this city,
and II. J. Skeffington. This was the beginning
of this movement, and they came near splitting
then, because Drury wanted to be recognized
as a founder II Washington. jefferson, Adams,
| or any of the original founders of the greatest
country in the world were to awake from their
sleep as our friends have done, they, too. would
be surprised, and it would be just like some of
them to kick at things they are now. But
that would not knock off any of the amend
ments to the Constitution, nor drive out any
of the states that have been added to the galaxy
since their time, nor will the circumstances of
the latter-day founders of the Knights of Labor
affect the Knights of Labor of 1889"
Thos b. Barry, who was refused admittance
to knights of Labor hall in Pittsburg Monday
| night will speak in Lafayette hall in that city
tonight and lively time is anticipated