Birmingham age-herald., 1894-11-16
Vice-President Howard of the
 American Railway Union
ADVOCATES .AMALGAMATI0N
Of All Labor Organizations. Sovereign IndorSeS It-Grand
 Masters Annual Address.

NEW ORLEANS, La., Nov. 15.-The Knights of Labor met at 9:3O o'clock this morning and adjourned at 12:3O o'clock. The time of the convention was taken up in listening to an address by Vice President G. W. Howard of the American Railway union, in which MT. Howard discussed the principles of the union and urged amalgamation of all the large labor organi- zations of the country in one association and one management.
 He believed that such combination of interest and numbers would be of the ut- most advantage to the laboring men of the country, and that through such means labor would be in better position to ob- tain it's objects. MT. Towards remarks were listened to with close attention and provoked much applause.
 Grand Master Workman Sovereign re- piled, expressing his approval of the plan advocated by MT. Howard, and trusted that a means might be found whereby the plan could be carried out.
 The rest of the session was taken up with a discussion of the proposition of MT. How ard. No other business was transacted.
 The afternoon session of the Knights of Labor convention convened at 2 o'clock and adjourned at 5:30 o'clock.
 Immediately after the ope ming of the ses- sion communications were read from Vice. President H. c. Robinson of Vigoco assem- bly,, F. M. B. A., which stated that while the F. B. M. A. were not of the same or der, they were in sympathy with the efforts of the Knights of Labor to "liberate labor from the thraldom which now overwhelms tf75m.''
 A telegram was afso->read from Miss Francis E. Willard, stating Woman's Christian Temperance union con- vene tomorrow.
 Grand Master Workman Sovereign then delivered his annual address, which was an exhaustive and elaborate resume of the work of the order from its incipiency.
 He attributed the decrease in the mem- bership of the order to the depression in business circles, prevalent bankruptcy, low wages and enforced idleness of the laboring classes.
 He stated that he had travelled 35, 1884 miles since his stewardship, and had or- ganized eleven new assemblies and made ninety seven public addresses.
 He reviewed his action of last January, when he secured the services of Judge o. .. Cole and il led a bill in the district court special grievances of his order and pro- testing against the issuance of bonds by the secretary of the United States treasury. He characterized the writ of injunction rom the UnlCoQ states clrculC court or the Eastern district of Wisconsin as despotic injunction.
 Referring to the American Railway union's affiliation he advised coalition with this, as we'll as all labor organiza- tious.
 His resume of the Pullman strike termi- mated in severe criticism of Mai. -Gen. John M. Schofield, and the recommenda- tions of that fficer for an increase of the army, together with the action of Chicago's millionaire aristocracy, who were permit ted to present stand of colors to the Fifteenth infantry, was an indication of an the military powers of the nation.''
 He urged that the assembly take strong grounds against an increase of military forces of the nation, and that they "advo- cate decrease in the regular army and the abolition of the state military, for from them are coming to the surface the senti- ments of military despotism.'
 He contended that too much of the or der's time was taken up by minor ques- month between himself and Secretary R. M. Easley of the civic federation of Chi cago. He also made a sharp criticism of the banking laws. He advised few minor changes in the pream ble of the order.
 At the close of the address the report of the general exc, ltive board was presented and referred to the several committees. It was a voluminous affair, but contained much that was of interest to the dele- gates. The meeting then adjourned to meet again at g a. m. tomorrow.
 The order of business for the morning sessions will be the roll call of delegates for the reading of resolutions.
 All of the committees have organized and have got down to business.