Papers, 1880-1921. [microform]

ArchivalResource

Hayes, John William, 1854-1942. Papers, 1880-1921. [microform]

Papers, 1880-1921. [microform]

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/64755374

Consist primarily of correspondence and records of the Knights of Labor, especially during the period when John William Hayes was general master workman of the union. Also included is correspondence of Terence Vincent Powderly, while he was general master workman, and a small amount of personal business correspondence of Hayes. Knights of Labor materials (Series A) consist mainly of correspondence, which is subdivided as follows: Part 1A is correspondence of Terence Vincent Powderly, as general master workman, to John W. Hayes (1880-1890). Subjects covered include the qualifications of organizers, the sending of monetary relief to distressed members, Powderly's views on temperance, the strike and the boycott, allegations (1890) that Powderly had misused organizational funds, and widespread internal dissension within the Order; Part 1B is correspondence of John W. Hayes as general master workman (1902-1920). Much of this correspondence is with members of the General Executive Board and concerns general business of the Order, such as assessments, dispensations, and judicial proceedings against Local and District Assembly officials. This correspondence intimates the gradual disintegration of the Order; Part 1C is correspondence of Hayes as general secretary-treasurer of the Knights (1888-1902). This correspondence deals primarily with financial and policy matters of the Order, including the Benefit Insurance Association and the expulsion of individuals and Local Assemblies for nonpayment of assessments. Also mentioned are the attempts of rival factions to gain control of the union journal. Part 1D is correspondence with officials and members of Local Assemblies, while Part 1E is correspondence with officials and members of District Assemblies. This correspondence documents the philosophical differences over the use of the strike, boycott, and lockout and illustrates the daily functioning of the Assemblies as well as the general disputes and rivalries between and within Local and District Assemblies. Part 2, Membership records (1898-1900), consists of correspondence dealing primarily with Hayes' attempts to increase the membership and influence of the Knights. Part 3 consists of minutes (1887-1905) and correspondence (1892-1897) of the General Executive Board. Part 4, Miscellaneous materials (1895-1919), consists of circular letters and legal records. The personal business correspondence of Hayes (Series B) reveals his interest in stocks, bonds, and land investment, his management of the Atlantic Gas Construction Company, and his invention of a machine to make gas from bituminous coal and his difficulties obtaining the necessary patents. Interspersed throughout this series are letters referring to Knights of Labor matters and several which reveal Hayes' concern over the "Red Menace" and the influence of Bolshevism on the American labor movement. The nationalisation of the railroads is decried.

15 microfilm reels.

Cornell University Library