Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1894-08-10


spirit Of antagonism to the trade organ
ization principle dominates those now
in control Of the order, and that they
give support to the trade districts solely
for the purpose Of fighting the trade
unions So
As to the antagonisms between the
Railway union and the brotherhoods
standing in the way of the unity move
ment, freely confess that they do, but
they can be cleared away if the men at
the front want harmony or if the rank
and file can be made to see where the
stumbling blocks are. There are two
plans, either one of which will accom-
plish the desired end, but I have not
the time or space to discuss them here
But in the first place there must be
Ratchet burying, and the true men on
all sides must lay aside personal griev-
ances and meet together as conscientious
and intelligent representatives Of labor.
And now I want to say that it was
neither manly nor wise for the st. Louis
conference to yield to the prejudice
which was shown by certain brother
hood men toward the A. r. U. The
Railway union was not represented in
the Philadelphia conference, but the alb
sence of Mr.. Debs and others of the or
ganization was due to the Great North
ern strike, and they would have been
warmly welcomed had they been able to
accept the urgent invitations extended
There was some difference between the
unity" meetings at Philadelphia and
St. Louis.
This brings to my mind the fact that
certain brothers connected with the
general Office of the Knights of Labor
have seemed to take delight in relating
that resolution indorsing the Great
Northern strike was introduced at the
Philadelphia conference and afterward
Withdrawn without action. The resolu-
ton was thoughtlessly Introduced, but
when it was explained that there was a
controversy in that strike between the
A. R. .. and one of the brotherhoods
which had representatives in the confer
ence, and who, of course, under the cir
cumstances, could not support the reso-
luton, it was decided, as we were as
sembled to create harmony rather than
aggravate the situation, and as the res
olution would not receive every vote in
the conference, that it be Withdrawn and
no record made of it. Not the slightest
animus was displayed by the brother
hood men, and the discussion of the sub
ject was among the quietest features of
the conference I leave my readers to
judge of the motive which dictated the
use that has been made Of information
obtained by the representative of the
general executive board who had a seat
among the honorable gentlemen of that
conference
am not going to quarrel with any
body. l am for peace at almost any
price, but hate treachery, and can
not close this letter without exposing
cowardly, traitorous action which fol-
lowed the Philadelphia conference, and
at the same time if the reader has been
deceived by that action he will be set
straight. The Philadelphia Times,
which has always been an enemy of the
labor movement and for several years
the implacable, unprincipled foe Of T.
V. Powderly and most of his associate
general officers, printed what purported
to be report of the proceedings of the
conference. The article was a foul lie
from beginning to finish. It was direct
ly opposite in it's statements and tone
to the reports which appeared in all the
other Philadelphia papers. The inten-
ton of the writer of the article was to
heap insult upon the head of Mr..
Powderly and to xiii the influence
of the conference at one and the
same time. I feel pretty sure
that could name the two members
of the order who concocted the bias
phemy, but I probably would have diff
Guilty in proving them guilty, so will
not name them. Some days after the
conference adjourned a delivery wagon
carried to the. general Office of the
knights Of Labor a load Of the Philade]-
phia Times of the issue containing that
Infamous article. The papers were TAX
en- into the office, and heavy pencil
mark was drawn around the article in
each copy. The papers were then mailed
to the local secretaries of the order
throughout the whole country. Remem-
Der that one of the men who holds an
important and responsible place in the
general Office was present during every
minute of the conferences sessions and
knew that The Times article was an
outrageous lie. He probably knew what
use was to be made of it, too, which
would account for the ability of The
Times to supply the extra copies. Well,
you see I understand that there are
some things that stand in the way of
unity: Some Of these days I'll tell you
how to get rid of those things You
know now, did you say? Good!
Jos. r. BUCHANAN.
Out of Work In New York.
At recent meeting of New York
r IL