CHAPTER VI. 



HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE concluded. 



IT was both hoped and expected that the Alliance of the 

 Northwest would consolidate with the National Farmers' Alli- 

 ance and Industrial Union, as had the Union and Wheel, and 

 form one grand agricultural organization. All efforts in that 

 direction proved futile, through the persistent opposition of a 

 few men who have since been relegated to obscurity. Much 

 disappointment was manifested, and considerable ill-feeling was 

 engendered over the failure of consolidation. A careful analysis' 

 of the causes which conspired to bring about this result dis- 

 closed the fact that sectionalism, that old enemy of national 

 organized labor, was the controlling factor. The members of 

 the order rapidly sized up the situation, and the matter of con- 

 solidation was soon lost sight of in the vigorous effort to push 

 the organization into new territory. The agreement made with 

 the Knights of Labor added much strength to the movement, 

 and gave it a standing among a class of people who had hereto- 

 fore been inclined to doubt its motives and methods. This 

 compact has stood the assaults of both old political parties, and 

 is the rallying cry of labor in production at the present time. 



Immediately after this meeting, President L. L. Polk and 

 Secretary J. H. Turner opened offices in Washington, District 

 of Columbia, the Grand Council having provided for such action. 

 Active, aggressive work was begun at once. Brother C. W. 

 Macune, Chairman of the Executive Board, called the balance 

 of the board, Brothers A. Wardall of South Dakota and J. F. 

 Tillman of Tennessee, to Washington, for consultation. At 

 this meeting the whole situation was thoroughly discussed with 

 President Polk. A plan of campaign was agreed upon, and an 

 agreement made to push the work vigorously. The now famous 

 sub-treasury bill was drawn up and introduced into both houses 

 of Congress, and arrangements were made to send out literature 

 and secure petitions. Brother Macune being at the head of the 



