Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-23


the knights of Labor. and other officers of
the order are endeavoring to secure an
early re-traH of the quo warranto suits
against John W. Hayes and supporters or
the rival faction. They express confidence
that the litigation which has extended over
period of six years Will end with this
trial and Will be in their favor. Imme-
diately after the decision Is given steps will
be taken to restore the once powerful body
to its former position in the labor world
Thomas II. Canning. the general secre-
tary-treasurer, has issued from his office in
this city the following circular letter to
members of the order explaining the situa-
ton:
ITO the Membership OF the Order. greeting:
THE six quo warranto suits which We're
instituted by your general officers against
Hayes and the other alleged officers asso-
ciated with him came on for hearing before
Mr.. Justice Wright in the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia and q Jury and
were all consolidated for trial as one case.
The hearing began on the I'd of April and
the taking of evidence was continued until
the 10th, when the evidence was finished
and the counsel on both sides began their
arguments to the jury. The arguments were
finished at noon on the 17th at which time
the court, Mr.. Justice Wright, instructed
the jury on the law in the case. and the
jury retired to consider its verdict.
THE jury remained out from noon on the
18th until las pm. on the 18th, being out
over twenty-five hours. when the court was
informed that one OF the Jurors had been
to attend him during the night and also
during the morning, and that his physical
condition was not such that he could con-
tinue the elaboration.
THE court called the counsel for your
general officers and counsel for Hayes and
others, and stated the facts in relation to
the sick juror, and said that he would dis
charge the jury or permit eleven men to
finish the deliberations of the case, If both
counsel agreed Our counsel agreed for us
to this proposition. but counsel for Hayes
and others declined, and the court then
brought the jury down and finally dis
charged 1t. Just before the court finally
discharged the jury counsel for Hayes
made motion to have the court direct the
jury to bring in O. verdict for Hayes and
others and undertook to argue the motion,
but the court overruled II.
This leaves the matter Just as It was
prior to the trial of these suits, and your
general officers have instructed counsel to
give notice to counsel for Hayes and others
that they will at once ask the court TO have
a rehearing of these cases as soon as the
court will permit II. During the course OF
the trial the general offictrs compelled
Hayes to produce his book of tally sheets
and Hayes swore that he could tell imme-
diately from this book just how all the dis
trfct assemblies stood and whether they
were entitled to representation, and that 1t
was from this book that he made up the list
of delegates which were entitled to go to
Niagara Falls In 1902.
Upon cross-examination he admitted that
and upon further cross-examination of him
on his book 1t was shown that out Of the
sixteen delegates that he claimed in his as
sembly at Niagara Falls there were only
five district assemblies that were entitled
to representation by having the required
number of locals with their per capita tax
fully paid as required by. the constitution.
These five district assemblies were 10 OF
Pensacola, Fla: 81 of Newark, N. ]. (Which
was qualified by issuing three new charters
to them in the July quarter); 147 of AL
bany; $50 OF Toronto (Which was qualified
by issuing two charters In tht July quar-
ter), and 220 of Brooklyn, N. Y
The contention that your general officers
have made to the effect that Hayes had
very little membership supporting him. was
amply verified by the examination of this
book of tally shtets.
Credentials have been presented to the
Central Labor Union and delegates seated
as follows: Journeymen Stone and Marble
Cutters-James f. MeHugh, Charles San
ford. Joseph O'Connor, John Stoddard and
J. Dynan. Press Feeders--Albert R. Hum
phrey. vice Ernest Price, withdrawn.
One of the most important issues to come