Evening star., 1896-02-13
LABOR AND ANARCHY
The Knights Expel Socialists Of
the Chicago Stamp.
REVIEW OF TIE METHODS OF REDS
interesting Interview With a Well
Known Western Leader.
HOW STEPHENS STOC D

Mr.. e. j. Andholm. a prominent labor
leader of Chicago, who is in Washington to
consult with some of the members Of Con-
gress from Illinois in reference to various
matters affecting labor interests. was seen
today by a Star reporter, who asked him
for an explanation Of the causes which led
to the involuntary withdrawal recently Of
large body of the Knights Of Labor from
the central body of that ORGANIZATION in
the western metropolis.
"I will do that very cheerfully," replied
Mr.. Lindholm. Those men are socialists,
and very much fear that you have some of
the same kind of people here in Washing
ton. It is, understand, the Intention Of
the general officers of the X. of L. to look
thoroughly into the matter and wherever
it is found that socialism of the sort that
is believed in by the socialists Of Chicago
is concerned, to expel those who hold such
opinions from the order.
Those who were expelled from the
Knights of Labor in Chicago are such as
believe in the doctrines preached by Bur-
nett G. Haskell, who was known as the
leader of what was termed the Red In
ternational Worhngmen's party" but
whose members are anarchists, pure and
simple.
Description of the Card System.
into the United States from Belgium i'm
mediately after the war;" continued Mr..
Lindholm. Its plan of organization is by
grovps eleven members forming group
Those who are admitted to the first or stu
dents group, are given a red card. Red
card men are instructed in the principles
of socialism and they must take a certain
course of reading, after which they stand
an examination, which, IL satisfactory, en-
them RPfOre
terfng the first group, the red card men
are assured that the international working
mems party is not anarchiStic nor does 1t
counsel the use of force.
From among the white card men the
members Of the executive committee are
selected, and from the latter there are
taken what are known as blue card men,
to whom cards of that color are given, and
who are termed the counsellors, and are
charged with the direction of affairs.
"The course of study for the red card
men here is radically different from that
followed in Europe Burnett G. Haskell,
who was the founder of the party in
North America, counselled his followers 10
include in their course of reading the books
of kropatkine Bachnonine and many other
avowed anarchists.
Their Leading Principle.
"Bachnonine says in his book:'Demand the
destruction of all states, national and ter
ritorial, and the formation on their ruins of
the interna tional state of laborers.' The
policy of open force advocated by Bachno-
nine caused a split in the socialist ranks
and the formation of two sections, known
as the red and black.
THE followers Of the former believe in
acquiring secret membership in all reform
organizations possible, and quietly working
with view of securing their absolute
control. The others oppose the use of such
radical means"
Since the X. of L. have inaugurated an
aggressive movement against these obJec-
tionable elements, and has expelled a large
number of socialists from their ranks, they
have received accessions from among the
ranks of the true American workingmen
which have more thai offset the other.
Only a few days ago an increase of $50 in
membership was reported by one assembly
alone in New York city, and we are re-
ceiving equally encouraging reports from
every section of the United States.
Stephens Was Not n Socialnst.
''The attempt is being made to prove that
the late Uriah S. Stephens, founder of the
order of the knights of Labor, was a
socialist" said Mr.. Lindholm, in conclu-
sion. 'The best reply to that is the fol-
lowing letter written by him in 1879 to a
member who had communicated with him
on the subject of the interference Ct So
cfalists:
".You must not allow the socialists to get
control Of your assembly, wrote Mr.
stephens. 1ney are Simply u1SturberS, and
only gam entrance to labor societies that
they may be in better position to break
them up. You cannot fathom them, for
they are crafty, cunning and unscrupulous.
l detest the name of socialism on account
of the actions of the men who profess to be-
lieve In it, They rush to every gathering
ard attempt to man or officer it, Having
done that and having driven all decent men
away, they are supremely happy in the de-
lusion that they have spread their ideas
still farther.
80 have had an experience with them
that you could not possibly have had and ]
warn you against having anything to do
with them, either individually or as a
body. They tear down, and very seldom
even attempt to build up. They =, roth
ing for the cause of labor, save to do il
harm. If the socialists ever gain control of
our order, they will kill off the work OF
years. If they were sincere they would