The times., 1898-08-09
STRIFE IN LABOR CIRCLES.
An Injunction Against the General
officers knights of Labor.

1ne pTeulcllon an lHe lifIlsS Vii last
Saturday that the local members of the
order of knights of Labor would appeal
to the civil courts to settle their differ
ences was Verified yesterday when Dis
trict Assembly No. 66 filed AN injunction
against the general officers of the order
to enjoin them from carrying into effect
a recent notice revoking the charter of
Assembly No. &C and also TO restrain them
from organizing another district assem-
bly, in Washington.
The restraining order .was signed by Mr..
Justice Cole yesterday afternoon and is
made returnable on Friday, when the
general officers will be required to show
cause why it should not be made perma-
nent.
The suit is brought at the instance of
A. NJ. Lawson and Stephen A. Clements,
master workman and recording secretary,
respectively, of District Assembly No. 66,
against Harry a. Hicks and John w.
Hayes, general master workman and see
retary treasurer, respectively, of the Or
der OF knights of Labor of North Ameri-
ca and the other members OF the general
executive board of the order
1he co-n-.aint sets forth that Assem-
bly, No. 66 was organized under the laws
OF the order in 1888 ana has accumulated
about Sl,Oo0 and that if the order reyok-
ing its charter is permitted to go into
effect IL vii materially injure the stand
ing of its members in the community
and endanger their chances of making an
honest living.
III also alleges that on July q Secretary
Clements received a letter from General
Secretary-Treasurer john W. Hayes no
tifying Assembly No. &C that General
Master Workman Henry A. Hicks had
revoked its charter and directing its re-
organization by the local assemblies and
members loyal TO the order The mem
bers of Assembly No. &c deny the author
ity of the master workman TO revoke
their charter without first preferring
charges against them, and then only af-
ter a trial and conviction.
In support of this, section No. 30 of the
constitution of the order is quoted. Ii is
as follows: ANY district assembly know
inGly or willfully violating the laws of
the order shall upon conviction by the
general executive board be suspended or
have it's charter revoked"
1t is claimed by the members of Dis
trict Assembly No. Sc that the master
workman had not the power TO revoke
charter and that il can only be done by
action of the executive board of the or
der.
The following rule was issued by JUS
tice Cole:
Adjudged ordered and decreed that the defend
ants Henry 4. Hicks general master workman;
l. D. Chamberlain general worthy fareman; John
W Hayes, general socreta y-treasurer; Henry Il B's-
took J. s Fitzpatrick and Andrew ID. Best,
executive board OF the Knights of Labor Of North
America, and each of them, their associates,
representatives agents and employees, be re-
strained and enioined from CARRYING into effect
in any manner any rev6 cation OF the charter OF
District Assembly &C. plaintiff herein, and from
establishing in the District Of Columbia any new
District Assembly 10 be known as District As
sembly &C. knights of Labor, or any similar
name and from bringing any suits at law or
equity Of any kind 10 obtain possession of the
moneys and property under the control OF Dis
triCt Assembly No. G6. Knights of Labor, and OF
the plaintiff and their associates officers
thereof. and also from declining and refusing in
anv manner 10 recognize any official coInmunl-
cations coming from District Assembly 65,
Knights Of Labor, plaintiff herein, and also from
preventing in wise interfering with the
recognition Of any official communication coming
from said District Assembly &C. any of its Off
GERS, until the further order of the court TO be
made, ii at all after the hearing TO be had
A copy of the above order was served
upon Mr.. Hayes and Mr.. Best yesterday
afternoon by Deputy United States Mar
shall Cusick Mr.. Hayes was seen soon
after and asked what steps he would
take 10 meet tine order of the court, and
he said there was nothing for him or any
of the other members of the board to do.
The charter of Assembly No. 66, he said,
had been revoked in accordance with the
laws of the order and an injunction would
not reverse the action already taken by
rhe executive board. And so far as the
order attempts to restrain Mr. Best from
reorganiZing another assembly in the Dis
trict. that, too. had already been accom-
Il -l,s .tn nSttv,
ton will dissolve the body which has
been formed.
Mr.. Best. who is charged by the gen.
eral executive board with the reorganiza-
ton. has issued the following circular TO
the knights of Labor in this city:
You are aware that the general master work
man, acting under the authority vested in him
by the laws and usages Of the order has re-
voked the charter of District Assembly 66. which
action has been approved by the general execu-
tive board.
The undersigned was instructed by the general
master workman TO recognize the District As
sembly. with such loyal members and locals as
could be found in the jurisdiction"
Pursuant 10 these instructions ] communicated
with such assemblies in the jurisdiction as ! he
lieved had not, through their delegates in the
District Assembly set the authority OF the order
Mt Defiance to send three delegates TO meet
ing TO be held on Thursday evening, the 18th
instant, at 1873 Pennsylvania Avenue northwest,
Tor the purpose OF reorgaiii1iS the DlsIlcl AS
Delegates from sufficient number of local
assemblies attended and the reorganization ef-
fected.
am impressed with the belief that the action
of the disloyal and disruptive delegates in the
District Assembly did not represent the senti-
ments of their local assemblies in order that
no injustice may be done to those who respect
their pledge of honor and that the organization
may be completed minus those whose only aim
seems to have been TO sow the seeds of dissen-
sion and disruption in the ranks of the order in
the District of Columbia, and TO retard its pro-
your assembly, is therefore invited TO send three
accredited delegates 10 represent IL at the next
meeting of the District Assembly, which will be
held Thursday evening, the nth instant, al
O'clock at the hall, 1913 Pennsylvania Avenue
northwest This invitation is subject TO the fol-
lowing conditions:
First-That if your assembly is so directed, the
names Of all persons holding membership in
your assembly who have been aiding abettiRg
the disrunters either actively or passiycly, in
the District Assembly, local assemblies. or else
where. shall he stricken from the roll of member
ship, and all such persons shall hereafter be
debaTred from holding acquiring membership
in this order until otherwise ordered by the gen.
cal assembly to which body all such persons
have the right TO appeal
Second-That your assembly is willing 10 be
governed by the laws and usages of the ORDER
and viii comply with them in all respects, as
well as with any orders instructions that may
be issued 10y competent authority.
Your assembly is requested to notify the gen.
Street northwest, not later than Tuesday, the
10th instant, whether it intends to take part
in the completion Of the reorganization of the
order in this jurisdiction or not. IL YOUR as
sembv does not hold regular meeting before
that time q special should be called to take
action the matter.
In OF the failure of your assembly to notify
the general secretary-treasurer within the time
will Ia cd hat no