For the past few days there has been trouble between the Baker Barb Wire Works and the Knights of Labor organization, which has finally culminated In serious trouble for the workmen and some inconvenience and expense for the company. Both sides are reticent as to facts and seem loath to have the matter thoroughly ventilated In the press. Enough, however, was learned by a Register reporter last night to warrant the following statement from each side.

Mr. D. M. Childress, President of an Assembly, on being called out from a special meeting last night which was considering the matter, said in substance:

“There are fifty-eight men out of employment. It Is not a question of wage, but of belonging to the organization of Knights of Labor. At the completion of business of the District Convention Just held at Angus, the State Executive Committee came on to Des Moines, and the following members of the committee visited Messrs Hedges & Noble of the barb wire works at 5 o'clock last evening to talk the matter over with those gentlemen: Messrs, Wright and Perry, of Oskaloosa; DcFord, of Stuart; Sovereign, of Atlantic; and myself. We got a decisive answer from them that no man belonging to the Knights of Labor could work in their shops, hereafter."

"What do the Knights propose to do, Mr. Childress?" was asked, "Do they intend to boycott the works'.' Well, we cannot say that yet. That is a matter for discussion and thought. The men have agreed to sign a contract, if necessary, with the company to work for twelve months at $1.50 per day. But they do not seem to want that. The company insist on their throwing up their membership in the K. of L. organization, and they can then return to work at old rates. What they may conclude to do is a matter for after publication."

As this was all that could be ascertained from Mr. Childress, the reporter sought the manager of the works, and succeeded In arousing Mr. II. A. Noble by telephone, who said, In answer to questions : "We pay our men every Saturday night good wages, better than any similar company, and all we ask Is to be allowed to run our own business without dictation from outside parties. This we concluded to do, if we have to be boycotted. The trouble was mainly among our men themselves, those belonging to the labor organization were always interfering with and trying to coerce those who did not. We claim to have the right to run our business in our own way. There is no lack of men who are will-to work at our wages, and we had about twenty-five applicants yesterday for the places vacated by our old force. There Is no lockout, but merely an order against any workman employed here belonging to the Knights of Labor organization.''

Thus the matter stands between employer and employes, at a late hour last night, with no apparent chance for a settlement, at least for some time to come.