The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-19
Has No Faith I'm a Federation.

FALL RIVER, Mass, July l6-Secretary
Howard, of the Spinners' Union, was inter-
viewed this forenoon in regard to the pro-
posed alliance of all the great labor organ
izations of the country, as suggested by the
recently issued circular of Powderly and
others. Mr.. Howard said that he had little
faith in the feasibility of the proposed Or
ganization, as the interests which it was
proposed to benefit were of too widely
divergent characters to reap the same in
+elligent and prompt remedial measures as
might be expected from a less complicated
and cumbersome body. The textile workers
of New England, Mr.. Howard felt satisfied,
would not look favorably upon the pro-
posed amalgamation, as they were satisfied
that a more direct and profitable method of
settling wage disputes and obtaining re-
dress for grievances was through. the me-
dunn of organizations representing solely
the branch of industry in which they were
engaged. THE knights of Labor" said
Mr.. Howard, ARE practically dead in New
ENGLAND. and do not believe their former
power can be restored. Their mismanage-
ment, or worse, of the recent strike of the
Worcester shoemakers destroyed all hope
of their future usefulness This latest
movement is scheme on the part of some
of the labor leaders to recOup their fallen
fortunes and recover the prestige which
they held in former days. The movement
may meet with success in the West and
South, but, although / express simply my
own opinion, have little hestancy in say
ing that the mill operatives will not look
favorably upon the plan. The expenses OF
the executive department of the Knights of
Labor is a great drawback. The same OBJ
lection will apply to the proposed amalga-
nation, and the delays incidental to the ad-
justment of union matters would also serve
TO make 1t unpopular"
Powderly Says There Will Be No Fusion.
CHICAGO, July 1S-The work to-day by
Master Workman Powderly and his sssoci-
ates on the X. of l.. executive board was
mostly of a routine character. The most
important business of the day was the re-
leasing of a coal mine owned by the organ
ization, near Cannelsburg. Ind, to the
present lessees for period of ten years.
Mr.. POwderly this evening emphasized
In, this city, in reference to a circular
which, 1t IS said, suggests an amalga-
nation of all the organizations.
The people who boast about this" said
Mr.. Powderly, know the least of it. The
knights of Labor is only one of many
different associations. Everybody ought
to know that the Knights of Labor is a
general association of all trades and crafts.
Within the Knights of Labor and COM
posed of its members these other bodies,
such as the Federation of Labor, the Fed
Grafton of Railway Employees and others
sprung up. There is necessarily nothing
inimical in their relations but as there
began to exist an idea that if a man
belonged to trade association he was
opposed to the Knights of Labor and vice
versa, the chiefs of all these bodies pre-
pared circular stating the fact that they
were and would be expected to work in
the organizations. That idea is all specu-
latiOn,o