The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-12
MASTER WORKMAN HAYES
REPUDIATES LATHERS
Says They Are Pseudo
Knights Of Labor.
TROUBLE IS NOW SETTLED
American Federation of Labor Prompt
in Investigating PortneT Annex
Difficulty.

The trouble between the Central La
Dor Union, affiliated with the American
Federation OF Labor. and on, wing Of
the Knights Of Labor. has been prac-
ucally settled. and nothing more Is
hke!y 70 be heard OF 10. II was said
today that there was no dispute what
ever between the knights Of Labor OF
this city and any other labor organi-
cation in Washington.
The contractors at the Portner apart
ments annex recently employed several
fathers. who claimed TO be knights of
Labor. and the members OF the Central
Labor Union took exception TO their en-
ployment. The matter was reported TO
the headquarters OF the Am rican Fed
Grafton OF Labor. and Immediately in
vestigated- The fathers we're defiant.
and said they were knights of Labor
and that organization would support
them. Since this declaration was made.
the American Federation people. 1t is
said. have found out differently.
Hayes Statement.
John Hayes. general master workman
of the Knights of Labor of the United
States, in speaking of the matter today
said; There is no trouble between the
Knights Of Labor and the American
Federation ot Labor. The trouble is
between some pseudo knights. who were
suspended from the organization some
time ago. I went to say that the men
who call themselves Knights OF Labor
and are mixed up in that trouble. are
not members OF my organization. Sew
eral years ago I suspended about eco
nf fo- he Of I,ra- to
the general Office. Since their srspen-
sion. six or eight OF the leaders have
gotten together and sought to o-gs nlze
a rival organization. The matter was
carried into the Equity Court in 1899.
and after taking a lot OF testimony.
Judge Bradley ruled that the Knights OF
Labor of which / am the head vas
the only organization OF that name in
this city. and that my once was the
headquarters OF all of the knights of
Labor OF the United States.
This practically settled the matter so
far as l was concerned, but recently
these men attempted to Gust me again.
The matter was aired in the Equity
Court, with Justice Barnard sitting. The
suspended members endeavored 20 prove
that l had no right to suspend them,
and tried 20 be reinstated. Justice Bar
nard ruled that I had the power to sus-
pend any OF the members who failed TO
comply with the constitution OF the or
ganizaticn The court proceedings in
stituted by these men have only served
TO show two things--that my Office was
the general headquarters OF the Knights
OF Labor OF the United States, and that
i had a right to suspend any man who
did not live up to the constitution or by
laws which they had sworn 20 obey.
Previous Disputes.
1T is these men. and not members OF
the legitimate knights or Labor who
have stirred up this trouble. and so far
as protection is concerned, they cannot
expect any from me or my organization
They continue to call themselves
Knights OF Labor, but they are not This
is not the lrst time these men have
gotten into disputes. and I have often
furnished proof TO the representatives OF
the Central Labor Union and the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor that these men
are doing business under an assumed and
Gr.f.fous namP f"