Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-20
IN LABOR CIBl1Es

Washington has a new and novel labor
union. At the meeting Of the central body
last Monday evening Mr.. Sam De Nedrey,
It's secretary, reported to the delegates
that the organizer had formed the lamp
lighters of the District into union. The
organization was effected last Sunday night
1t embraces all the men engaged in the
work of lighting the city's lamps. The
American Federation Of Labor has granted
a charter and the new body will be af-
f1liated with the Central Labor Union.
Under the caption, For Liberty-Loving
Republic" General Master Workman John
c. Hayes Of the Knights Of Labor has issued
statement in which he says: ITO make
industrial and moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness; to secure to the workers the
fuiI enjoyment of the wealth they create;
sufncient leisure in which to develop their
Intellectual, moral and social faculties; in
word. to enable them to share in the gains
and honors of advancing civilization
this, In general, is the purpose of the
order of the Knights of Labor. The object
Is moral as well as misunderstanding in
dependence, pride of character, dignity
and manhood, while endeavoring by precept
and practice to elevate mankind to that
plane upon which all can share in the
gains and honors of advancing civilization >
SO far 1t has been a wonderful success; it
has rfveted the attention of the workman
and employer; of the economist and scien-
ust; OF the professor and student to its
principles and which are now being studied
by all thinking men throughout the world
who hope to profit by the reforms it
teaches In every state, in every city or
town where the Knights of Labor have
found an abiding place, there it has left
an impress for good
AS an organization 1t is striving to nut
Jus jug, nDerty and humanity above slav-
crude and barbarous practice that gives
Wealth any higher consideration than in
dustry and morality in the standard of
greatness 1t is laboring to convince the
right to centralize in the hands of a few
the possession of the natural elements of
wealth, with power to exact tribute from
an al the people for the right to live. 1t
has imposed upon the workers. by a whole
some application of the inherent right of all
mankind to full enjoyment of all the
natural bounties from which, through
life. ~
the organization stands for truth and
Jusuce-a correction of the cause instead of
a battle against results; it goes to the very
root OF the evils which bring Industrial
expressions upon the people, it appeals
most eloquently to an intelligent and
thoughtful study of human affairs to rea-
son and not to passion. 1t teaches men
how to respect others; how to make laws
and how to obey laws; how to love coun-
try and flag and how to make that country
ana nag worth loving; how to realize that
race, the burden of those at the bottom
Will pull all down to their level, and how to
avoid the errors of the past in developing
a erty-loving republic, so that the love
OF wealth shall not drag us back into dark
ness and slavery. In word we offer YOU
a form OF government in organization that
preserves to men and women absolute free
dom OF thought and action, while enforcing
that discipline TO the written and moral law
of the country that makes good soldiers
good citizens and, above all, good fathers
and mothers
ITO be a Knight of Labor one must be a
patriot, as stern as truth and as uncom-
promising as justice whose self-respect and
personal honor will give responsibility and
force of character to the organization and
who is willing to make reasonable sacri-
nee OF a part of his time and energies-'to
labor with what ability he may possess for
the triumph of these principles among
men,
eff you are willing to take upon yourself
the duties and responsibilities of knight
hood we offer you this opportunity to ioin
with us. While working jointly for the re-
forms sought to be accomplished through
this plan of organization, we will endeayor
to assist you in securing for yourself better
conditions: for the worker, better wages
and the much-needed shorter workday.
which, 1t must be understood. shall be OBJ
tanned in such manner as will not interfere
with existing contracts or embarrass Lie
business interests of the country In a
word, we shall labor to secure for you JUS
tice-all that man has any right to demand;
all that he can expect"
P. J.. McArdle Of Pittsburg national
president of the Amalgamated Association
of Iron and Steel Workers, was In the city
Monday and called at the headquarters of
the American Federation of Labor to trans
act business connected with his organiza-