Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25
TO BE NEAR CONGRESS
Knights of Labor Headquarters to Front
the Capitol Grounds
A Handsome building to BE Erected
to Accommodate the Execu-
tive Officers of the Order.

When the general assembly of the
Knights of Labor met in convention at
Richmond Va. in October, 1885, an order
was passed directing the general officers
to purchase or erect a suitable building for
national headquarters. Washington was
then a candidate for the honor, but Phila-
delphia was selected and the handsome
brown-stone residence of the late Matthew
Baird of that city was purchased and oc-
cupied, and it is from that building that
orders have issued during the last eight
years. Recently, however, the Philadel-
phia house was ordered sold and the Off
GERS were authorized to select suitable
headquarters elsewhere.
This was nearly two years ago. The ex-
ecutive board has visited Washington fire.
quently during that time, and has made
several offers for real estate here the
northwest having been at one time bar
gained for. But the deal fell through.
The knights are coming to Washington,
however. and before long the flag of that
Industrial army will float over a building
OF their own at the corner of 1st and L
streets northwest, fronting the north side
of the Capitol grounds. General Master
Workman Sovereign. Grand Secretary
New York, c. A. French of Massachusetts,
H. b. Martin of Minnesota, and ]. NJ. Ken
ney of Nebraska, composing the general
executive board. were in the city Thdfs-
day and Friday, and before leaving had
concluded the purchasetof the ground men
toned and signed a contr ract with Beall
& Baden of this city for the immediate
erection of a substantial brick and stone
two-storyand basement building, 25x12O feet
in size.
The first or main floor will contain the
general offices of the order while the pri-
Vdte offices of the master workman, secre-
tary-treasurer, executive board and edito-
rial and composing rooms of the Journal
of the Knights of Labor will be located on
the second floor. The press and mailing
ment of the order will be located in the
basement. The building will be heated by
steam and lighted by electricity
When completed the K. of l.. headquar-
ters will be an ornament to the national
capital, and will add to the Importance of
Washington as a center for industrial news
and movements. Speaking of their reasons
fer coming here, General Master Workman
Sovereign said: I'VE are coming to Wash
ington to keep an eye on the actions cf
Senators and Representatives. The reforms
sought by labor can only be secured
through legsla ton. This is the seat cf
war. and want to be on the ground to
lCok out for the interests of the masses.
The classes maintain powerful lobbies here
during all the sessions of Congress. The
tollerS Will in future also be represent ted
before congressional committees on all
questions affecting their welfare. We be-
leve our presence here will have a whole
some effect upon the actions of the peoples
representatives. Our official paper circI-
lates in every hamlet in the United States
and we shall publish the records of both
the friends and enemies of labor; and this
can be done from Washington better than
from any other point in the country