The evening world., 1894-07-23
DOUBTED BY LEADERS
Organized Labor Not Seeking Con-
troll of the National Guard.
Evans Doa't Believe Sovereign Is
sued Such an Order.
In Fact Just the Opposite Policy Is
in Vogue.

The story published to the effect that
General Master Workman Sovereign
had issued an address to knights Of
Labor all over the country asking them
to join the National Guard associations
in the several States for the purpose
OF controlling 1t IL not believed by any
OF the labor leaders in this city. Had
such an address or appeal been issued
the officers of the different district as
semblies claim they would have heard
something about 1t, yet up to the pres
ent they have not received the slightest
communication on the subject
The policy Of the knights ever since
the Buffalo strike has been 10 keep
out of the National Guard as much as
possible. In fact, at that time instruc-
lions that were akin 10 orders were
issued that no knight should join the
militia In the future, and all knights
who were National Guardsmen at the
time were asked to retire from the
service as soon as their term Of enlist
ment had expired.
That order is s.ill in force said Sec
rotary Murphy. of ID. A. ~. this morn
ing. And If the General Master Work
man has seen TT to change the policy
Office this morning thinking ! might find
some communication from him on the
subject, but nothing was there.
II do not believe the story that he
has issued such a document as has been
stated. Further. I doubt very much
whether he has the power to do so:
Such an order, in my. opinion, should
come from the Executive Board. That
Board will meet to-day at Omaha, and |
think il useless to even discuss the mat
ter until after they have acted
| lie 81 t.,ly ~ hat
not by capturing the National Guard
and causing a conflict with the Federal
authorities that the wrongs # labor can
be redressed The workingmen have the
remedy in their own hands in the shape
of the ballot. lie, them use that first"
| Secretary Chris Evans of the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor. said he did
not believe General Master Workman
Sovereign had issued such n document.
so far as the Federation Is concerned"
reverse. and know for fact that many
OF the National organizations affiliated
with us have IN convention passed reso-
| buttons torbilliNs the members joining
| the National Guard. just as long as the
! Federal Government takes the side of
capital-takes up It's cause. whether right
have fewer workingmen soldiers 10 call
uP M9WR,hue ,s,,ove :, ,o hs n. d,,, ~,
every American citizen TO repel inva-
sion, We must not forget that the Ma
tional Guard and the Federal troops
have IN the past been only employed
for one purpose--tO aid In crushing or
EanIzed labor. For that reason the
Federation has advised against work
insmcn helping 10 Swell the ranks of
, their own enemies.
What is the condition to-day? a
| man like Pullman can sit in his chair
refuse positively to hear the pleas of his
workmen. refuse To submit to arbitra-
| ton and then lie back and tell the Gov
eminent to step in and do his lighting.
at the same time relieving him of ali
responsibility. l do not blame Pullman
nor any one like him, so long as they
can with impunity make such n demand
Ernest Bohm, Secretary of the Central
! Labor Federation, said:
Il do not believe Sovereign has issued
any such order Had he done so | GER
tainly would nave heard something Of
it, In my opinion such IA move would
be foolish.
Suppose the Knights. or labor men
generally, did capture the National
, Guard. and refuse to act in the event
would be the result? Why, the presi-
dent would issue "a call for troops and
! in iOrty-cight hours would have all that
he needed, No. the only remedy is in
/ the ballot, and that prov i!cs every
thing"
/ In spite of statements t. the contrary,
: the officers of the dimcT"u- National
d Guard Regiments here apprth.ud no
/ trouble whatever from III" alleged order
! of sovereign. Workmru generally do
| not seem to bc falling over each other In
! their anxiety to Join the militia, aud the
! large Of late AS 10 eACit" unusual COM
I mem. No unusual supervision over can
| didates Is bcinS exercised.