The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-09
WORK|NGMEN UNDER ARMS
Drilling in Obedience to Orders
From X. Of L. Headquarters.
ORGANIZED AS MINUTE MEN
Directions Issued by General Worthy
Foreman Bishop-I-abor Unions
tn BE Ready TO Respond at "a Mill
ute's Notice When Their Inter-
ests Are Threatened.

Philadelphia. April 9.-Labor unions in
this city have received a manifesto issued
from the headquarters of the Knights of
Labor in Washington advocating the drill
arms.
In response to this advice District As
sembly, No. L, of this city, of the knights,
has begun the drilling of it's members, and
two primary lessons in marching and coun-
termarching aud in the regulation manual
have been given within the past fortni ght,
the first at Eighth and Spring Garden
streets, the second at Seventeenth and
South.
The order for military training was issued
over the signature of NJ. j. Bishop, Box
34S, Washington, d. c. Bishop is the
general worthy foreman OF the Knights,
second in command to Sovereign, the gen
eral master workman. Sovereign, how
ever, devotes most of his time to travelling
and organizing assemblies of The order,
while the general worthy foreman directs
the general office work from headquarters.
James A Wright, past general master
and present master workman of District
Assembly No. L, which includes the Knights
OF Labor in Philadelphia, has an office At
524 Walnut street He said yesterday
"A declaration of principles was re-
Gently sent out from the headquarters OF
the Knights or Labor at Washington to the
leaders Of labor unions throughout the
country, and organized workingnen were
advised TO form organizations of American
citizens, who should be drilled in the use
OF arms, and be ready TO respond at min
ute's notice when their interests are threat
ened They were to be known as Minute
Men,
The idea originated, / believe, with a
California Knight, who organized during
the last campaign the Emergency Men OF
the West. Upon his arrival in Washing
ton, Mr. Bishop thought that his idea
might he improved upon, and the forma ton
OF the Minute Men was then proposed and
carried out. understand from MIR. Bishop
that his document has met with many
favorable responses throughout the coun-
try. The idea among the leaders is that
each local organization shah arm its men,
bers with the latest improved rifle OF the
universal caliber, in order that all may use
similar cartridges. After each organiZa-
ton is formed il begins drilling.
Visiting officers, that is, men picked
out at headquarters for the work of mill
tary inspection, will give special direc-
lions to each local organization in the use
of modern appliances OF war. If secret
meetings are held, l VIII say nothing of
them. but presume that the best organiza-
lions Of workingmen can stand the light
of scrutiny. Open organizations have not
always been successes, and labor leaders
have got into the habit OF picking their
men.
Il was not connected with the prepare
tion Of the general worthy foreman's circu-
iarletter to our assemblies, but l do notwish
to be quoted as being entirely opposed TO
the drilling or workingmen in the use OF
arms Article III of the amendments to
the constituti on assert that the right Of
the people to. keep and bear arms shall
not be infringed.'