The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-20
RIVAL <. OF |. FACTIONS
Two General Assembly Meetings in
Session Yesterday.
Both Claim to BE the Authorized and
Legal Body-HOvy the Split Came
. About-Rcmoval of Hayes Consid-
cred by One Faction-Pnrsons' Ex-
pulsion Talked of by the Other.

Two organizations each claiming 20 b'
the legally constituted General Assemoi!
of the knights of Labor of America, me-
in this city yesterday. One was presided
over by John n. Parsons, General Master
Workman of the order. at sos c Street
northwest, and the other by i. D. Cham
berlin, Worthy Foreman of the order, al
oppenheimer's Hall, in Ninth Street. Par
sons and Chamberlln were elected to the
positions which they held in the order at
the last General Assembly OF the Knights
Of Labor, in Boston, Mass, in November
last.
The trouble which resulted in the or
ganization Of the two factions is the out
growth of differences existing between
John W. Hayes, General Secretary-Treas-
urer, and the general officers Of the order.
Because of these differences Chamberlin,
acting as general master workman of the
order, called an assembly of the organiza-
ton, to be held on Monday last. Soon
after this Parsons, as general master
workman, also issued a call for meet
ing Of the General Assembly for June %
next.
In response TO the call made by Chamber
lin a number Of the representatives of the
order met at knights of Labor headquar-
tiers, 43 Street, on Monday Among these
were Parsons and many Others, who 1t is
said, were delegates to the last General
Assembly Of the order. Although Par
sons contends that Chamberlin did not
have the authority to call a meeting OF
the General Assembly, rather than bubble
over the matter, since the delegates were
present, he said. he made decision legal
izing the meeting and opened the proceed
ings by calling upon Secretary Hayes 10
call the roll Of delegates.
This Hayes refused TO do. This brought
the proceedings to a standstill for while,
and after waiting for an hour or more a
temporary secretary was chosen in place OF
Hayes. and call Of the roll commenced.
About this time, however. a policeman ap-
peared in the assembly hall and informed
Parsons and several of his friends that he
had a warrant for their arrest. Parsons, he
said, then adjourned the assembly for re-
cess and accompanied the officer to the Po-
lice Court, where he and his friends gave
bopd for they appearance to answer the
Charge against them.
After this, Parsons states that he and a
majority OF the delegates entitled to seats
in the General Assembly returned TO the
knights OF Labor headquarters for the pur-
pose Of proceeding with the business of the
order. They were not permitted to do this,
however, for Parsons states that Police
Captain Austin and squad Of men refused
TO allow them to remain In the ball. Par
cons stated last night that he and others
have filed charges against Captain Austin
with the District Commissioners.
Finding that they could not meet at tie
knights Of Labor headquarters, Parsons
stated that he secured hall at 609 C
Street, and there sessions Of the General
Assembly have been held since. At tire
meeting held yesterday afternoon, he
stated there were present and plrticipa cd
in the proceedings a majority of the dele
gates who attended the last annual meeting
Of the order, and that under the consti u
tion these are the only delegates viii h are
entitled to seats at any special assembly Of
the organization.
At the session Of the General Assembly
held yesterday afternoon, 1t was stated
the report Of the general executive board,
In relation TO the removal Of John w.
Hayes as general secretary-treasurer was
considered.
Since matters have taken the turn they
have Parsons said that now there will
be no necessity for the holding Of an as
ae1bly Of The organization On June 20