The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-16
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR.
The Relations to the Knights of Labor De
Aned-A Strike Assessment Fixed.


aned-A Strike Assessment Fixed.
BosToN, Dec. l5.-Ths American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, which Friday set the
country agog by announcing that a
radical reform in the hours OF labor
would be instituted next May, supple
mented that action yesterday by proyid-
ing for the levying Of a strike assess
ment Of cents week on each member
Of all national and international bodies,
beginning with the 1st Of January.
There was u hard fight before the vote
was passed, but the majority OF the dele
gates declared in favor OF such an
assessment, with this amendment: "Un-
less otherwise ordered by u general vote
OF all national or international bodies"
The chief feature OF the days work
was the adoption OF an address 10 the
public in general and the officers and
delegates Of the American Federation Of
Labor in particular, upon the attitude Of
the Federation toward the Knights OF
Labor. The address deyotes some space
to review Of labor organizations and
the causes that lead to their establish.
ment, and then says:
"rhe American Federation Of Labor
desires to establish no monopoly in the
sphere Of labor organizations. 1t does
not seek to establish al autocracy OF Ia.
Dor. II does, however, pledge itself to
maintain the prestige and authority OF
its affiliated organizations, and to enter
into the most emphatic protest against
the policy OF any labor society which
presents itself tO be used as an ambus.
cade for the destruction Of the trades
union movements. In view Of the ex.
tended array Of injuries suffered by the
trades unions OF American Ut the hands
Of men who masquerade as Knights OF
Labor, we deem 1t necessary to state the
attitude Of the American Federation OF
Labor toward that order. We seek no
quarrel. We deprecate antagonism in
the ranks OF labor organizations,
no REFLRcTloN INTENDED.
We cast no reflection upon the hon.
esty and integrity Of purpose Of the rank
and fle Of the knights OF Labor. For
years the officers Of this organization
have tried to establish amiCable rela-
tions with that order, even at a period
when certain OF It's leaders were seeking
the very life Of the trades unions. Much
OF tue trouble has been caused by the
organization OF national trade districts
OF the Knights Of Labor In the crafts
where national or international trades
unions already existed. Not only has
the creation Of the opposing organizes
ton been productive Of evil results, but
too oiteen the national trade district has
been made the dumping ground for men
who have been branded as unfair by the
trades unions. We feel Obliged, there.
fore, to take this position with regard
TO the Knights OF Labor:
First-That the Knights Of Labor shall
discountenance and revoke the charters
OF all trades assemblies and districts
within their order.
Second-That In turn, the American
Federation OF Labor and affiliated trades
unions will urge their members and en-.
courage the working people 10 become
members Of mixed assemblies OF the
Knights Of Labor.
Tie report was adopted with heavy
manifestations Of approval. The closing
business Of the Federation was the elec.
ton Of these officers: President, Sam.
uel Gompers; Vice. Presidents, W. H.
Martin, OF the Amalgamated Association
OF Iron and Steel Workers, and P, ],
Mcguire, Of the United Brotherhood OF
Carpentersand Joiners; Secretary, Chris.
topher Evans, oi the Miners and Mine
Laborers' Union; Treasurer, Henry En-.
rich, Of the Furniture Workers Union.
Detroit was selected as the location OF
the next annual meeting.