Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-16
ALL ABOUT A LABEL.
Lynn'S Labor War ASSum-
ing Huge Proportions:
NOT JOIN THE UNION.
Secretary Skefiington Says He Will
Expose a Game of Bluff.

BosToN, March 10. Secretary Harry J.
Skeffington Of the International Boot and
Shoe Workers union arrived home yester-
day and took charge of the unions side OF
the label conflict in Lynn. The labor war
has reached enormous proportions, and
will likely he protracted struggle for
supremacy between the two sides. Mr..
Skefiington was seen at his Office and gave
this account of his side of the fight:
~ have just returned from trip to
Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse" said he,
"where made arrangements with several
manufacturers to use the blue label and
to send their agents with samples TO the
several places where the agitation las been
pushed forward by the trades unions, but
where the local retail dealers have been
unable TO procure goods with labels.
These firms make the same kinds Of shoes
as are made in Lynn, and 1t is not my fault
If the manufacturers of the latter city lose
these orders.
~ have done everything that mortal man
could do To have the Lynn Knights OF
Labor join with the lasters and ourselves
in the use Of the label. Their only answer
was additional
Viiiidcation and Misrepresentation.
We grew tired Of this when we found the
walking delegates of the Lynn assemblies
making capital for themselves at our eX-
pense, and we gave up the job for the time
being.
"A year ago nine Of the Lynn manufac-
turers made application to us for the other
labels, but when told that their employees
other than the lasters would have to be
come members OF the Intern ational union,
they hesitated in fear that the Knights of
Labor would attempt To do them some
harm. Now the matter comes home to
them stronger than ever, and 1t is more
strongly intmated than ever that there
will be conflict between the Knights of
Labor and the International union for
supremacy In that city.
This talk Of prospective fight originates
with the walking delegates of Lynn and is
spread with the purpose OF covering up
Their own Delinquencies.
"There are not 800 members OF the
knights Of Labor In the whole Of Lynn,
and 1t is well known that no local assembly
there is able TO pay tie salary of the walk
ing delegates from its treasury. He must
visit the factories and collect an amount
equal to his salary or go without. Only
one of their local assemblies, the finishers,
Is able To get quorum, and four of their
local assemblies half-have held no
meetings for some months, and some OF
them longer. Not one shoemaker In 15C
is in good standing in the Knights Of Labor
In that city. No power on earth could re-
organize the shoemakers OF Lynn into the
Knights of Labor So rs TO make them q
power for good.
"They threaten conflict If we go there
now, and nothing would suit them better.
In all our controversy with them we have
carefully reirained from exposing their
financial and numerical condition, as we
did not wish TO be the means of an attack
on them at the hands OF the manufacturers.
But now, in view of the hostile attitude OF
district assembly No 30 and the state as-
sembly, together with Mr.. Powderly's re-
cent visit here TO harm us. we feel that we
should puncture this bladder and expose
to the public
This Game Of Bluff.
"These Knights Of Labor will know that
we do not require that every person should
leave their order when they seek member
ship in our International union. Our mem
bers can belong TO whatever organizations
of any kind they wish, but the Lynn walk
ing delegates dare not allow that test.
The conflict is not between the lnterna
tional union aud the knights of Labor, but
between the Lynn manufacturers and the
walking delegates. When these employers
make up their minds that they really want
the blue labels, there will be no difficulty
with the rank and file of the knights Of
Labor but the impecunious walking dele
gate will ind himself out of job and
despised aud abandoned by those who only
pay their dues to be rid of his disagreeable
importunitiesD