The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-17
NOT IABOR'S SPOKESMAN
John N. Parsons Replies to Charges
of John W. Hayes.
Says the Latter Has Been Expelled
From the Il. of L.-Charies W.
Slater a Member in Coed Standing
-DenunciatGry Resolutions Passed
by District Assembly No. GO.

In an interview last night Charles w
Slater took occasion to reply to the at
tack made upon him by John w Hayes
in connection with the controversy be-
tween the factions Of the Democracy OF
the District of Columbia. Mr.. Slater said:
Referring to the attack made upon me
by John W, Hayes, want to say iat he
is an expelled member of the orde. of the
Knights of Labor, and that his statements
are repudiated as follows by John N Par
sons, General Master Workman of the
Knights Of Labor of the United States and
| President of the National Letter Carriers
Association of the United States:
| MIR. Hayes he says, has no right to
speak for the knights of Labor, because
| he is an expelled member of that body.
| Mr. Slater is a member of the Knights Of
Labor in good standing. He is a member
| of Local Assembly No. 2672, of this city,
and attached to District Assembly No &C.
He is acting in his present contest with
Mr.. Norris with the full authority and
approval Of the executive committee of
the Knights of Labor and the result will
be shown to the satisfaction of everybody
with the exception, perhaps, of Mr.. Nor
ris, when the contest is put to vote here,
as it will be. Mr.. Slater has not only the
support of the national officers and district
officers of the Knights of Labor, but the
entire local membership is in accord on
this point.
may say also that Mr.. slater's can
didacy is not only supported 10y the order
here, but by many of its representative
men throughout the country. This inter
est was largely Influential in shaping the
action Of the Democratic National Com
mittee.
James r. Sovereign, Past General Mas
ter Workman" continued Mr. Slater, was
in the city during the holding Of the pri-
maries and knew the situation in the
District thoroughly. He made the state
mept TO the press at Kansas City that the
action of the Norris element in conduct
ing the primaries was an insult to the
dignity Of citizenship and the sanctity OF
the ballot. and that there was no doubt
but that the Holmead delegation received
the largest number of honestly and legal
ly cast Democratic votes. He also said
that cur delegation was honestly entitled
to be recognized by the Democratic Ma
tional Convention, then In session
Mr.. Sovereign at that time heartily
supported me and is doing so now.
L know of no reason why Mr. Norris
should SO strenuously object to the mat
ter being referred back to the voters of
the District and allow them to choose the
representative whom they think best fitted
TO fill the honorable position of commit
teeman on the Democratic National Com
mittee. l have always believed in the
wisdom Of the principle that ali power
emanates from the consent of the govern
ed, and upon this principle the Democratic
party is founded. 1t seems strange that
Mr.. Norris should question the wisdom cf
the members OF the subcommittee in re-
ferring this case back to the Democratic
voters Of the District of Columbia"
At meeting of District Assembly. No
&c, Knights of Labor. held last night at
Four -and-a-ha street and PENNSYLVANIA
avenue. the question of Mr. Hayes charges
against Mr.. Slater was taken up. Mr..
Slater was completely vndicated by the
members Of the body. and the following
resolutions were unanimously passed
Whereas one John W HAYES, who has been ex.
PEELED Tor misconduct from the Office OF General
Secretary Of Knights Of Labor, has given to the |
newspapers a copy OF what purpOTts to be |
telegram to Hon. William ]. Bryan, in which h |
makes the false statement that Charl-- W. Slater
is not member Of the Knights of L-jor, and.
Whereas the statements contained in Hayes 1
telegram are wholly and entirely false. and
Whereas Charles W. Slater Is a member in good
standing Of Local Assembly 2672, of the knights |
OF Labor, affiliated with District Assembly &C. /
which embraces all the local assemblies Of that I
order in the District of Columbia. therefore.
Resolved, That District Assembly 66 hereby d. I
nounces the publication Of the aforesaid telegram
Of John W. Hayes brazen and dishonorabIe 4
effort on the part Of expelled member OF the [
Knights a Labor to use the order-whicb he in ,
no wise feprestnts-for his personal profit and /
I've hereby warn not only Mr. Bryan but all pub /
lie men against placing any confidence in the
made by said John W. Hayes in refer
ence TO the order OF the Knights Of Labor i,euer-
llly. which has Tepudiatcd ard gNDplled him.
We especially give notice that John W HAYES
does rot represent the views wishes Of a single
local assembly or member Of the order IN the
District Of Columbia on any question whatso-
sver, and his presence would not be tolerated for
moment in a meeting Of any assembly Of the
knights Of Iah1r In the ni.tricf If Columbia