Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-20
MONEY FOR STRIKERS
Being Collected by the Knights Of
Labor for Chicago Carpenters,
WHO WENT OUT WITHOUT FUNDS.
Master Workman POwderly Regards the
Case as q Pivotal One.
A GENERAL APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE

General Master Workman 7. V. Powderly,
Of the Knights OF Labor has sent out q
special appeal for financial assistance for the
! Chicago carpenters. who are out on a strike
for the adoption Of the eight-hour system.
The following is the substance Of the cir
cular:
Our brothers, the members of the several
carpenters assemblies in Chicago, have been
on strike for anumber of weeks. .and, although
on Monday of last week partial settlement of
the difficulty was effected. more than one-half
of them are still out and with every prospect of
a long and severe struggle before they obtain
full recognition of their rights.
An appeal having been made by the several
carpenters assemblies to the General Execu-
tive Board for assistance, and this appeal being
Endorsed and supported by the district assem-
blies in Chicago, the board sent one of its
members to investigate and report upon the
matter.
COULDN'T HELP GOING OUT.
The strike was undertaken without any ade-
quate financial arrangements having been
made, and when the men went out it was without
any fund for their support having been pro-
vided. The knights of Labor carpenters were
fully aware of this, but they felt that under all
the circumstances they could not refuse to go
out with the rest of their craft without in
some degree bringing dlshonor upon them
selves, and through them upon the order in
chicago. The employers proved more OBJ
durate and less easily influenced By consdera-
tons OF reasonableness and justice than was
anticipated, and the strike became long and
costly
The order in Chicago has behaved nobly and
our brothers have not forgotten their pledge of
mutual assistance. They have contributed
iloerally OF their means in support of their
brothers in the day of their difficulty, but their
ability to assist is well-nigh exhausted. So far
theY have been as well and even better assisted
financially as any of the other organizations in
volved, but it has become necessary. if they are
to continue the struggle, that they shah receive
assistance from the order in general
The General Executive Board, acting upon
the Recommendation of the member sent to in
quire into and report upon the case, and upon
the information he has gathered and furnished
to them, and believing that the case of the
striking carpenters in Chicago is a pivotal one,
now issues this appeal to all members of the
order in America, urging them to contribute
such assistance as may be in their power to the
knights of Labor carpenters on strike in Chi
cago. To save time, this appeal will be pub
lished only in the official Journal and daily
papers. It will not be sent in circular form to
recording secretaries.
DUTY OF SECRETARIES.
. As soon as each recording secretary sees this
appeal, it will be his duty to at once cali
special meeting of his local assembly-unless
the regular meeting of the assembly takes place
within hve days. when the matter can be acted
upon in regular session. At the special meet
ing this appeal shall be read to the assembly,
ana the Master Workman will place 1t before
the members for action. As soon as possible
after the assembly has taken action-that same
evening If practIcable-the recording secretary
will forward any money voted to John W.
Hayes, General Secretary Treasurer, Lock Box 4
SS5. Philadelphia.
Brothers, the case is urgent, the need serious
and the honor of the order in Chicago is at
stake. Let your assistance be liberal and let
1t be prompt 7. V. PowDERLY.
General Master Workman,
Several local assemblies have already con- |
tributed sums OF money ranging from $40 to |
SIS each, and more donations will be made dur. |
ing the week. II Is expected that Mr.. Pow |
derly's plan will be q success and that quito o |
sum will be raised.