Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-09
IN LABOR CIRCLES

A stir has been created in labor circles
by a circular letter addressed to knights
of Labor, wherever found" many thou
sands of copies of which have been pro-
mulgated by General Master Workman
John w. Hayes of the Knights of Labor.
The letter is dated from headquarters in
this city. Mr.. Hayes says in part:
1t is a matter Of history, although not
generally known. that since the knights
Of Labor stepped aside to let what Is
known as the trade union movement as
sumo directing powers over and in the
alleged interest of the workers that the
infmical legislation to the cause of labor.
placed upon the law books Of the states
and the nation, during that short period
OF time, Is greater-larger in volume and
more harmful than all that preceded it
since the founding of the American re-
public. This condition, then, Is the direct
result Of ignorance and incompetent man.
agement. Small leaders and weak Off
Gals are often bent on keeping their own
personality before the people that the
sound Of hail to the chief may tickle
their vanity and occupy public attention
while the enemies of labor were enacting
legislation making our every movement
a crime.
were bent on curtailing our rights and
our privileges. they would select help
from among our people, either with pres
ents or with fattery. or arrange for fete
days with 'eatings." something after the
dinner plan of the Civic Federation, and
while enjoying the pleasures of these
gatherings lay the groundwork for rivet-
ing still firmer the conditions and hard
ships on the workers. While these So
called labor leaders were being dined and
f1attered by the Civic Federation. the
hatters' boycott was allowed to be car
red on in manner that has endangered
the property and the savings of the men
and women engaged in that industry at
Danbury. There was no excuse for per-
hitting evidence to be made or manu-
featured that would insure conviction for
conducting boycott A leader, not puff
ed up with his own Importance. and who
was sober, thoughtful man. would have
kept the situation within his grasp, and
compelled obedience to the law. It is be-
cause of the fact that r. was considered
of SO much more Importance than I'VE" !;
that In passing upon the request for boy
colt the legal aspect OF the case was
ignored, and like ward politicians cater
ing to sentiment was the order of the
day.
There is no such ISM in the knights
of Labor. no permission granted or wink
ed at that will permit members to violate
law; no rich mans organization tagged
onto it to cajole and flatter the officers
while the employers of labor are taking
advantage by fete days to blind more
firmly the chains of oppression no Off
GERS who think more of their own per-
sonality than they do of the cause in
which they are emp Dyed as generals; no
officers who traversed the country pratt
ing about free speech while denying it to
others. In fact, the knights of Labor be-
lieve in protecting its members. strictly
within the letter of the law. while la
boring to better their wage and working
conditions. 1t accords to every member
the right to be heard In his own behalf
without the red tape, clrcumlOcutiOn, and
asinine system now in vogue in other or
ganizations 1t is the one organization
in all of this broad land that offers to
the trade union movement the best and
most perfect form of unionism for taking
care Of the interests of the membership
That considerable number of the mem
bers of the various trades unions in this
city are opposed to the so-called Johnston
Sunday rest bill, is the opinion of lead
ing member of the Carpenters Union.
He declared the measure would not bene-
fit workingmen "a single whit but on
the contrary would curtail their religious
and civil freedom. He also argued that
the passage of the bin would be a step
backward toward the old blue laws
period The Johnston bill will come be-
fore the Central Labor Union for con-
sideration at its meeting next Monday
evening.
Considerable interest is manifested in
the efforts of Mrs. Mullen of Kansas City
and local temperance workers to secure
the cooperation of labor unions in bring
ing about prohibition in the District Of
Columbia. In a letter to labor leader
in this city Mrs. Mullen says:
THE workingmen must help us to
eradicate the drink evil from the capital
of our great nation. 1t is your fight, and
when won will mean full dinner pals,
happy homes and clear heads and con-
sciences. Prosperity will follow prohibi-
tion.
Mrs. Mullen, who Is now In Washing
ton, says she has already enlisted the
sympathies and services Of a number OF
workingmen who count in the councils
Of labor