Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-25
DOES NOT FEAR A SECESSION.
What r. Said Here Ai,nt the Pitts
burg knights of Labor.

A dispatch sent from Pittsburg one day
this week stated that Local Assembly No.
zoe. Knights of Labor, better known as
Window Glass Workers, had decided to pay
5000 delinquent per capita lax to the Gen
cral Assembly of the Knights of Labor,
Whos Sc headquarters are in " Washington and
to withdraw from the order
AS local No. 800 has about 100000 in the
treasury, which in the event of the seces-
SIC OF the body would, under the constitu-
ton and bylaws of the order of the *.
OF L., revert to the General Assembly, the
reported action of the Pittsburg local at
tracted much attention throughout the
country.
Inquiry at the headquarters of the
knights OF Labor brought the infoIma ton
that no check for $1,000 or any other
amount has reached there from the parties
referred to, and ii was believed there was
some mistake as TO the reported action OF
the Window Glass Workers.
HE general worthy foreman, who in the
absence of General Master Workman Sovcr-
sisn Is the head of the order, and is now in
this city, said in answer to questions from
d Star reporter:
In reply to your query as to the alleged
sece ssloH of the Window Glass Workers OF
America, known also as Local ASSs m Oily
No. 800, Knights of Labor, and the rea sons
for such action, as We'll as its effect upon
the organization as d whole, there is this
to be said:
Local Assembly 300 occupies a UNIQUE
position among the associations subordi-
late to the General Assembly. Special laws
have been adopted to govern its affairs
and powers granted to it which practically
| make it National District Assembly in
tie window glass trade. The headquarters
are IN .Pttshurg, with subdivisions that are
known as preceptories. throughout the coun-
try all working under the central body.
The convention which is reported to
rave just voted to withdraw from the Or
der is composed of delegates from the
various preceptor.eS, and under their own
and our laws no such action az is reported
could be taken which would be binding
upon the total membership. All important
dunn vote of the membership throughout
the country, and in such case as this
the general constitution provides, in article
ST. section 2O1: Any member of the order
advocating its disruption, or the withdra wal
of any local assembly or other assembly
from the order, shall by that act stand ex-
PEELED from the order.
This may seem harsh provision, but
when 1t is understood that any member is
free at any time to settle his accounts and
honorably withdraw from the society
which on entering he has pledged his honor
to support and maintain it will be acknowl-
edged that only by such provision could
constant trouble be avoided from men who
come in only from desire to disrupt.
Il go into the matter at this length be-
cause every few months this same report is
spread broadcast, with the intention of in
fiuencing public opinion against the order
and retardng the growth which is so con.
stantly going
Every officer in Local Assembly 800, as
well as throughout the order, as a portion
of the ceremony by which he Is installed
into office. takes a solemn obligation that
in case of the lapsing of the assembly he
will turn over every little of property OF
each and every kind to the officer legally
authorized to receive the same which in
this case would be the G. s. T.. SO that the
claim made in the lying dispatch sent owe,
the wires, that, on payment of some ar.
rears. the other assets of the assembly
would be safe, is wholly without founda.
ton.
Under our laws ten members can hold
the charter of any assembly, together with
all that implies, and whatever discord and
dissension may exist over affairs peculiar
| to the glass workers thetnselves,I am salts
| fled that no secession from the order will
| occur. No word of any kind has been re.
ceived here regarding the matter, and
have reason to think 1T is only the usua
| canard"