The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-07-23
DOUBTED BY LEADERS
Organized Labor Not Seeking Con-
troll of the National Guard.
Evans Don'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 is 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
scmblies claim they would have heard
something about It. 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 to keep
out Of the National Guard as much as
possible. In fact, at that time instruc-
lions that were akin TO orders were
issued that no knight should join the
militia In the future. and all knights
who were National Guarlsmen at the
! time were asked to retire from the
service as soon as their term Of enlist
ment had expired.
THAT order is still in force" said Sec
rotary Murphy, OF ID. A. ~. this morn
/ ing. And IL the General Master Work
| man has seen TT to change the policy ]
have yet to hear OF IT, ! called a. the
some communication from him on the
subject, but nothing was there.
II do not believe the story that he
stated. Further, 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 II useless to even discuss the mat
ter until after they have acted.
Personally; think an order OF that
not by capturing the National Guard
and causing conflict with the Federal
authorities that the wrongs Il labor can
remedy in their own hands in the shape
of the ballot. Let them use that first"
Secretary Chris Evans, of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, said he did
Sovereign had issued such n document.
80 far as the Federation is concerned,
he added, Our policy has been just the
reverse and ] know for IA fact that many
of the National organizations affiliated
with us have in convention passed rcSo-
| lutions torbidding the members joining
! the National Guard. Just as long as the
Federal Government takes the side OF
' capital-takes up its cause, whether right
or wrong-just so long will Uncle sam
have fewer workingmen soldiers TO call
upon.
while ! believe it to be the duty OF
every American citizen to repel iuva-
sion, We must not forget That the Ma
tonal Guard and thu Federal troops
have IN the past been only employed
for one purpose--to aid in crushing or
ganized labor. For that reason the
Federation has advised against work
ingmen helping to 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 arbi,ra-
ton and then lie back and tell the Gov
eminent to step in and do his nghtinE
at the same time relieving him ur all
responsibility. | do not blame Pullman
nor any one like him, SO long as they
can with impunity make such "A demand.
Ernest Bohm, Secretary OF the Central
| Labor Federation, said:
81 do not believe Sovereign has issued
any such order. Had he done SO | Ger
tainly would nave heard something IT
it. In my opinion such move would
be foolish.
generally. did capture the National
Guard. and refuse to act in tn" event
of strikes like that OF Chicago. what
would he the result? Why, the rreSt-
dent would issue a call for troops. and
in forty-eight hours would have all that
he needed NO the only remedy is IN
the ballot, and that provides every
thing"
In spite Of statements to the contrary.
| the officers OF the hiffcreu National
Guard Regiments here appreheud no
trouble" whatever from the alleged order
OF Sovereign. Workmen generally do
! not seem tn he falling over each other in
| their anxiety to join the militia. and the
! increase In membership has not been So
! large OF late as to excite unusual com
I mnn.. No unusual supervision over can
| didatcS IL being exercised.