Evening star., 1909-02-11
LETTER CAUSES STIR
New Building Trades Council
Attracts Attention.
WITH KNIGHTS OF LABOR
Explanation as to Membership and
Conduct of Work.
WALKING DELEGATE IS GONE"
Assurance Given That Card Will Be
Accepted Everywhere - Protec-
ton From All Interference.
WALKING DELEGATE IS GONE"

tion From All Interference.
There will be two building trades coun-
cils in the District Of Columbia. A coun-
Gil. which will be affiliated with the
Knights OF Labor. was formed last night
The other building trades council Is af-
flliated with the American Federation of
Labor
The organization formed last night will
be known officially as Mixed Assembly,
1896, Knights of Labor, consisting Of
representatives of the building trades.
There were present at the meeting car
penters, painters, plumbers, paperhangers
and timers.
The formation has caused stir in local
labor circles, especially as the Employ
ers' Association of the Building Trades
announced today that its members, COM
prising master builders and contractors,
will recognize the working cards Of the
knights OF Labor SO long as the organf-
zation adheres to its fundamental princi-
pie against boycotts and strikes.
Issues Statement.
After reviewing the causes that have
created such deplorable condition among
the trades the assembly voted to issue
a statement to the building trades as
basis upon which men will be admitted to
membership and on the manner Of con-
Quoting work in the various trades. The
statement was addressed Ito the journey
men and other workmen now employed
or seeking employment in the building
industry in the city Of Washington" and
saws:
I'VE are not going to recall the troubles
and they have been many, that have
fallen to the lot of both worker and en-
ployer engaged in our particular industry
during the past few years. To do SO
would be reminder Of the hardshps we
have had to bear. the suffering and want
We have been subjected to, as well as the
losses, coupled with the brain-racking,
floor walking performances INDUCED In
by our employers. Rehearsing this Oft
repeated tale can do no good, and it were
better that the memory of these trying
times be not revived; that they be allowed
to sleep undisturbed while We are inaugu-
rating measures that will prevent re-
currence Of such disastrous conditions in
the future. What we find to be absolute
ly necessary at this time is the adoption
of measures that will restore confidence
among all the elements that make up the
building industry, measures that will con-
vince employers that their workmen are
not lying awake nights planning to take
some undue advantage of them, but meas
ures that will not only protect and better
conditions. but will recognize that the
man who pays us our wages and furnishes
us with employment is deserving of our
consideration and has rights both as man
and employer that we are bound to re-
spect.
Walking Delegate Is Gone.
while we invite you to join with us
In making more perfect this organization,
ii must be understood that the occupa-
ton Of the walking delegate is gone, is
entirely eliminated; and that in an as
sembly of the knights of Labor 1t is not
within the power of any one man. no
matter how high in authority he may
be, to order men out on strike, thus
throwing innocent men out of employ
ment and creating untold suffering and
paralyzing business. without all the
members having, voice and vote on
such an important question. We have
all learned the sad lesson OF permitting
an irresponsible man to deprive us of
the right to work. of seeing wives and
mothers of families sadly In need Of the
necessaries Of life, Of seeing strong men
walk the streets with plenty of work
in sight, but denied the right to accept
1t until business agent has issued his
had first been provided with the best
places.
I'm this organization no such unjust
and unfair way Of conducting business
will be tolerated. There will be no pre-
ferred positions for favorites or grafters
but every man will have an equal
chance. one with the other. for what
ever vacancy that may occur.
Having outlined the policy upon which
we are founded we invite You to join
with us in making more perfect this
organization. assuring you that the card
of a Knight of Labor will be accepted
everywhere as representing a RESPONSE
BILE business institution and will be pro-
tected from all interference of walking
delegates. business agents and other ir-
responsible persons who exist on their
ability to create trouble
This statement was signed by D. W.
Walters, recording secretary