Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-11
IN THE LABOR WORLD

the knights of Labor. now in annual
session in this city. believes the organi-
cation has big prospects in the future. In
general with other prominent knights. he
asserts that Samuel Gompers and the
other officers of the American Federation
of Labor made great mistake in in
volving the federation in politics" 1t is
their belief. therefore, that many con-
sentative workingmen will flock to the
banners Of the X. of L., under which poll
tics are eschewed and there is no fear
of the Injunction.
Along the lines of increasing the influ-
ence of membership of the Knights of
Labor. Mr.. Hayes in his annual report,
made public yesterday, says:
Our movement today is not the move
ment 1t was a few years back. 1t has
grown SO rapidly and involves so many
matters of Importance TO the organized
individually and collectively.
that it has become a task to keep up with
the changes continually occurring. and to
post and advise those connected with the
various branches concerning such changes.
So numerous and important are these
changes that the rights of labor" are
now being discussed by thinking men and
women the world over. They occupy
place second to none in the discussions of
the day: and the only people who seem to
ignore or doubt their Importance are the
workingmen themselves. To many work
ingmen, however. it is yet the trade union
of old. the demand for hours and condi-
tionS secured through the strike and the
boycott, with never thought for the
rights of others. The responsibility for
this immense amount of ignorance is due
largely, If not entirely, to local and ma
tlonal officers of certain irresponsible or
CARNATIONS. who continually preach of the
tyranny of employers. and thereby keep
the membership greatly agitated. and
their minds warped to such a degree that
they believe all employers to be the sworn
enemies of all wOrkingmen.
IF organized workingmen are to keep
pace with advancing civilization. this
method Of conducting the union should be
abolished. and the broad businesslike sys-
tenn in vogue in the Order of the Knights
of Labor substituted in its stead"
Referring to the American Fedei alton
of Labor and its boycott and unfair
list" Master Workman Hayes continues:
And now. after putting themselves
and their constituency In direct opposition
TO the business interests of the country:
after compelling business men TO band
together for self-protection from their un-
lawful attacks, and after arraying all
fairminded employers of labor against
them and their unions, they, in a spirit
of revenge, set up the un-American cry
of Down with the courts because the
courts administer the laws as they are
written.
1T is to be regretted that these men
ever obtained positions as leaders of la
Dor, for as teachers they have instilled
into the minds of their membership senti-
ments of hatred against our American
system of administering justice. While
no officer of the Knights of Labor is
guilty Of this charge, yet the odium of 1t
falls alike upon all labor organizations.
and it is for that reason that we must
place the order and it's membership
IF ha
world.
1T Is conceded that American labor,
either through organization or individ-
uality, has the right to petition for
changes in the law or for the enactment
of new laws which to them may seem
necessary. This right does not carry with
1t. however, the privilege of abusing and
denouncing the courts as schools of des-
potism wherein no mans interest is safe
The courts are a recognized part of our
while honest and fair criticism is permits
sible and accepted by fair-minded judges
the right to instill into the minds of tie
membership of union. many of whom
cannot understand our language and are
not familiar with our method of govern
ment, the idea that our courts are in
imical to the interests of those who work
is wrong and deserving of the most severe
condemnation"
Frank Morrison, secretary of the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor, in his annual
report to the convention of that organiza-
ton, now assembled in Denver, says In
part:
1T is with much pleasure that / report
at the close of this fiscal year $13S, CT. 81
in the treasury, the high-water mark IN
the history of the American Federation
Of Labor. OF the amount on hand SlU5,-
$50 90 is in the defense fund for local
trade and federal labor unions, and can
be used for strike benefits only in the
case of strike or lockout of the men,
bers of these local unions. The balance.
$33, so, is in the general fund. OF that
fund only S17.545.01 is available for the
general expenses of the American Fedora
ton of Labor. The balance, $15, is
divided a. follows:
I'm the fund created by the one-cent as
sessment levied by the executive council.
in accordance with the recommendation of
the last convention. for the purpose of
placing organizers in Los Angeles. Cal,
and other cities, to offset the efforts Of the
associations. which were.
and are now, endeavoring to disrupt the
labor organizations. $7,7S7.02.
In the fund created by the one-cent as
sessment levied by the executive council
in accordance with the recommendation
of the last convention to be used for the
legal defense Of the officers and members
of the American Federation of Labor. in
the injunction suit of the Buck Stove and
Range Company, $4.60713.
I'm the fund created by the moneys re-
cefved in response to the appeal issued by
the executive council to the local unions
affiliated to the American Federation of
Labor. for appropriations to be used for
the legal defense of the officers and men,
bers of the American Federation of Labor
In the injunction suit of the Buck Stove
and Range Company, So. 4O6 "a.
1.-The total receipts from all sources are
$207 655.G3 the total expenses are $780,
937 Sc; leaving balance of receipts over
expenses of S1O,717S7.
with the termination of this year /
have served as secretary of the American
Federation of Labor for twelve wears
During that time l have had the gratifica-
ton Of watching the American Federation
of Labor add 1,322.06O members to it's
grand total. To be an officer of an or
ganization during the period of such great
success is in itself something to be ever
remembered with the keenest of apprecia-
ton"
Sam De Nedrey, editor of the Trades
Unionst. says in the last issue of that
journal:
THE Evening Star suggests. in an edi-
torial. that John Mitchell. now that the
election is over. issue a statement to the
public telling 1t just where he did stand
politically during the campaign, declaring
that it would be interesting to know be-
cause of the many statements favoring
both sides alleged to have come from him.
The Trades UnioniSt cordially joins with
The Star in its suggestion that Mr..
Mitchell take the public into his conf
dence in this NATTER
OREGON SENAToRSHIP FIGHT.