Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-16
Interesting Phases in the District
Democratic Contest.
KNIGHTS OF LABOR DRAWN IN
The Two Opposing Wings in the
Order Take Action.
LETTERS TO MR.. NORRIS

xhe controversy over who's who when 1t
| comes to being the official leader of the citi-
zens of the District who are affiliated with
the democratic party has taken on a new
and altogether interesting complexion, and
developments today will doubtless add a
Zest to discussion that will make II more
| than animated One wing of the Knights of
| Labor has come out authoritatively and en-
Enthusiastically as the supporters of Mr. Chas
| w. Slater and Mr.. James l.. Norris has
| received a letter from the secretary of the
| democratic national committee which seems
to indicate that the national body itself will
have 10 consider the local rumpus ere long.
AS every one knows. there has also been
controversy in the knights of Labor over
the official standing of Mr.. John W. Hayes,
| VINO claims to be the general secretary and
treasurer OF the body. On the other hand
| General Master Workman John NJ Parsons,
VINO claims to be the head of the order.
Mr.. Hayes Is no longer a member much
less an official. as he was, they state. ex-
| PEELED some time ago This question is now
1 In the courts for settlement
MIR. Hayes last night sent kilograms to
| William Jennings Bryan and Chairman
| Jones of the democratic national committee,
which he signed as general secretary and
| treasurer, Knights of Labor and which
|
newspapers report Charles W. Slater.
| Washington. d. c.. as representing the gen.
eral order knights Of Labor and as being
| a member thereof in his conferences with
| you and with the members of the national
| committee at INDIANAPOLIS. Mr.. Slater does
| not belong to the order OF knights of Labor
| ana mas no authority to represent them In
| any capacity whatever. 1t Is true that the
| order of Knights of Labor almost to a man
| Will support you In this contest for the
| presidency, but We do not desire to be rep
resented by man like Slater. He has no
| right or interest in the Knights of Labor
whatever"
| Mr.. Skaters Position.
| When the above was called to Mr.
| Slater's attention today he said:
| Regarding Mr.. Hayes statement. tele-
! graphed to Mr.. Bryan and to Chairman
| Jones. l wish to say the allegations con-
| tanned therein are all untrue: that 1 am a
| member of the Knights of Labor of the
| United States, and that l belong to Local
| Assembly 2612 l was supported in my con-
| test. and am today, by the general master
workman of the Knights of Labor, Mr..
| John M. Parsons. Mr.. Parsons is now in
| Washington, and will fully substantiate my
statement. L am also supported by the
| general executive board of the body. The
general secretary and treasurer. Mr.. E. E.
| Burley, who succeeded Mr.. John W. Hayes
| when he was expelled from the order. is
| also giving me his cordial support l think
this is sufficient to refute anything Mr.
Hayes has to say on the subject.
Regarding the action of the subcommit-
tee of the national committee at Indian
| apolis in considering the contest between
| Mr.. Norris and myself" continued Mr..
! Slater, Il desire to declare that all asser-
| tons that Mr.. Bryan in any way inter-
| fered in the matter are without SEM
! blance of foundation. In his frequent con-
4versations with me the District contro-
| versy was not once mentioned.
! Il have no doubt whatever but what the
! 10 tha
| Gratis are capable of deciding for them
| selves, at honest primaries. who they de-
| sire to represent them on the democratic
| national committee, and / am ready and
| willing to abide by the decision of the ma
| jority Of these voters at the polls. / ad-
vocated this course in the Kansas City con-
vention and have never advocated any
| thing else.
These knights for Slater.
The reporter for The Star visited Knights
| of Labor headquarters in the Hutchins
building and found several members of the
executive committee there, including Cen
eral Master Workman Parsons.
| Mr.. Hayes has no right to speak for the
Knights of Labor" said Mr.. Parsons. be
cause he Is an expelled member of the
body. Mr.. Slater is a member of the
knights of Labor in good standing. He is
a member of Local Assembly No. 1872 of
| this city and attached to District Assembly
| No. 66. 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.. Norris,
when the contest is put to vote here. as
| 1t will be-.
| MIR. Slater" continued Mr.. Parsons has
| not only the support of the national off,
GERS and District officers Of the knights of
! Labor. but The entire local membership is in
| accord on this point. I may say also that
Mr.. Slaters candidacy is supported not only
| by the order here, but by many of its repre-
| sentative men throughout the country and
| this interest was largely influential in shap-
| ing the action of the democratic national
| committee
MIR. Norris Receives a Letter.
| Mr.. James L. Norris had nothing to say
| about the telegram sent by Mr. Hayes but
| he did have something interesting to COM
| municate on the general subject now agi-
| tating District democrats. He has ALWAYS
| maintained that the action of the subcom-
mittee Of the democratic national commit
| tee recently taken at Indianapolis which re-
| ferred the District membership uuestjon
back to the District to be settled at prima-
ries was not final without approval of the
| national committee.
| He received letter today from Secretarv
| c. A. Walsh Of the democratic national
| committee. dated at Chicago August IL
which contained extracts from the minutes
| or both the national convention and ma
tfonal committee meetings at Kansas CITY
bearing on the subject of contests
| according to Secretary Washs letter,
| the resolution adopted by the Kansas C,itv
| convention was as follows
| That the national committee be and
1t is hereby empowered to fill any and all
| vacancies which may exist on said commit
tee at the adjournment of this convention
| and to fill any vacancies which may occur
| during the campaign of 1900"
| The motion adopted by the democratic
national committee in regard to contests
was as follows: THAT a committee Of five
| be appointed. to which committee will be
| referred the matter of the vacancies of In
| dian territory. territory of Oklahoma and
| the District of Columbia with fun charge
| Of the whole matter. and their report to ba
| submitted to the committee at the next
| meeting; and further. the chairman of the
| national committee shall be chairman of
| the subcommittee, and that any number
| Of members will constitute a quorum"
| Charges Fraud at Kansas CITY.
| 81 think 1t will be readily seem" said Mr.
Norris. that the reported action of the sub
committee, and 1 do not believe any such
| action was taken. will be necessarily re-
| farred tn the fuII comnittaa hofo,a q.