Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-10
WANT REFORM LAWS.
In the Interest of the Toiling Hu-
manity of the State.
WHAT TIE KNIGHTS DEMAND.
Powderly Starts Move for Big Indus
trial Convention.
A CLOSE WATCH ON LEGISLATORS

ESPECIAL TKLKGRAM TO THE pTapArcH.i
HARRISBURG. Jan. 9.--The knights of
Labor in session here to suggest legislation
in the interest of workingmen mercIlessly
denounced the railroad relief fund system
and adopted a resolution, urging the passage
of law modelled ON that of England, to pro-
hibit it. Powderly, Hayes and other promi-
nent members participated in the discussion.
Early in the dav a dispatch was received
from ex-senator Emery, in which he said
the oil producers in Pennsylvania, recog-
nizing in the convention wise and timely
concern for the course of legislative reform,
congratulated the Knights and bade them
godspeed in their laudable effort. 'Recip-
rocal expressions of fraternal feeling and
good will" were returned in a message to
Mr.. Emery.
Legislation That Is Wanted.
Among the resolutions adopted were the
the following: Recommending the passage
OF laws providing for compulsory education
of all children under 16 years of age; to pre-
vent bIacklisting; for appointment of a conf
mission to draft general mining law; pro-
hibiting company stores; regulating the ex-
animation of miners as provided by the
Gallagher bill, introduced at the last ses-
sion; favorIng free text books; providing for
an increase of factory inspectors to II; pro-
viding penalty for the violation Of the
anti-monopoly pay bill; to prevent employ
ment of females in factories over 80 hours
week; to prevent overcharging for mine
supplies; providing for on eIght-hour law;
to prevent discrimination by employers with
IN l,h ff<xr,
compelling children between and IA years
old to attend school at least SIX months
year.
A. F. Dewey. of Washington, D. c.,
suggested the calling OF State convention
of all labor organizations, and Mr.. Pow
derly, as result of the discussion, offered
resolution, which was adopted, favoring
the cooperation of all industrial elements
in Pennsylvania in the work of securing
the passage of reform legislation. and to this
end inviting other organic ltions to assist
and act with the Legislative Committee to
be appointed by the convention.
To Watch Labor Legislation.
A resolution was adopted. instructing the
Legislative Committee to be selected BY the
convention to publish the record Of all the
members of the Legislature on lhbor bills.
NJ H. Butler, OF Tldeoute; T. f. Caffrey,
Euzerne, and James A. Wright of Philadel-
phia, were elected the committee to watch
labor legislation this winter. Hugh Nc
Garvey, member of the old committee,
was defeated by one vote. The salary of
each member of the committee was fixed at
So a day for actual service. McGarvey Of
fered resolution, which was adopted,
recommending the broadening of the home
stead act
A resolution was adopted requesting the
amendment of the mechanic lien law so as
to give additional protection to labor.
Action was taken looking to the defeat OF
members who fail to support labor legisla-
ton.
A resolution was adopted fixing the repre-
sentation in the next convention az one dele
gate tor every 500 members or less. and one
for each district in addition. Powderly and
others congratulated the convention on the
prompt manner in which its work was dis
patched, as we'll as on the character of the
business transacted, when the body ad-
journed. 1-e. --.