Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-04
THE GRAND ARMY OF LABOR
American Federation's Charter to Central
Labor Union Causes Much Discussion.
SENTIMENT FAVORABLE TO HARMONY
Gossip Respecting the Coming Arbitration
on Union Pacific Wage Controversy
Many Labor Leaders Expected
Nebraska knights OF Labor.

Local labor circles were considerably
stirred up during the past week from the fact
that the Central Labor union received a
charter from the American Federation of
Labor and many of the members of the or
CARNATIONS afiliating with the central body
did not know what the effect would be re-
garding the retaining by Knights of Labor
assemblies of representation therein.
For the past two years considerable feel
ing has been manifested periodically between
federation members and the knights which
at times took on such proportions that an.
open couHict was expected, but in every
case the matter was settled by the action Of
the Central Labor union, where the cooler
heads were always in a majority. When
the application for a charter from the Amer
lean Federation was made several Of the new
delegates from the knights regarded it as a
direct slap at the assemblies and many were
the criticisms of the action of the central
body, both by Knights of Labor and fedora
tion members who did not think it good pol
icy to encourage any division of forces.
Happily, though, the American Federation
granted the charter and the representatives
from the Knights of Labor assemblies still
remain in the central body. This is regarded
by local labor leaders as a new departure for
the federation and it is claimed such action
is an indication that the supposed breach be-
tween the knights and federation men will
soon be entirely bridged over.
1t has been stated that the same action
was taken by the federation officers when
application was made for a charter by the
Central Labor union of Denver, but as yet
no reliable advices have been received here
which would Indicate that the relations were
the same as in the case in question.
A few local federation members maintain
that the district assembly of the knights of
Labor is held by the knights to operate in
the sam capacity as the Central Labor
union and for that reason their members
should not be admitted to the central organ
ization, but 1t l. noticeable that those hold
Ing such views are greatly in the minority,
the majority of both organizations holding
thai more good can be done for labor by the
united action Of both instead of each using
its efforts to fight the other. Ii, as the con-
stitutlon says, 1.-THE interest of one labor or
ganization Is the interest of all IL certainly
holds COED regarding this question.
The general sentiment among local lead
ers and the rank and file seems to be to
keep right on on the same lines that have
been followed by the central organization
since 1887, when 1t was first organized.
Before that time there was continually
more or less trouble between the federation
members and the knights of Labor mem-
bers. which often resulted in an open fight,
but since 1887 at no time has a fight be-
come open. OF course, differences have
arisen, out before one organization had
succeeded in ~injuring the other the trouble
has always been settled In a manner salts
factory to both, At no time in the history
of organized labor in Omaha have they
been so strong in numbers as at the present
time, and il is generally regarded as a
very unwise move at this time to take any
action that would have IA tendency TO cause
strained relations between members who
have been working together in harmony
for years, II the present differences are
satisfactorily adjusted in this case there is
little doubt that the universal clamor for
union Of both the great labor organiza-
lions will be needed by the general officers