<P> As membership expanded, the Knights began to function more as a labor union and less of a secret organization . Local assemblies began not only to emphasize cooperative enterprises, but to initiate strikes to win concessions from employers . The new leader Powderly, opposed strikes as a "relic of barbarism," but the size and the diversity of the Knights afforded local assemblies a great deal of autonomy . </P> <P> In 1882, the Knights ended their membership rituals and removed the words "Noble Order" from their name . This was to mollify the concerns of Catholic members and the bishops who wanted to avoid any resemblance to freemasonry . Though initially averse to strikes as a method to advance their goals, the Knights aided various strikes and boycotts . The Wabash Railroad strike in 1885 was also a significant success, as Powderly finally supported what became a successful strike on Jay Gould's Wabash Line . Gould met with Powderly and agreed to call off his campaign against the Knights of Labor, which had caused the turmoil originally . These positive developments gave momentum and a surge of members, so by 1886, the Knights had over 700,000 members . </P> <P> The Knights' primary demand was for an eight - hour day; they also called for legislation to end child and convict labor, as well as a graduated income tax . They were eager supporters of cooperatives . The only woman to hold office in the Knights of Labor, Leonora Barry worked as an investigator and described the horrific conditions in factories, conditions tantamount to the abuse of women and children . These reports made Barry the first person to collect national statistics on the American working woman . </P> <P> Powderly and the Organization tried to avoid divisive political issues, but in the early 1880s, many Knights had become followers of Henry George's radical ideology known now as georgism . In 1883, Powderly officially recommended George's book and announced his support of "single tax" on land values . During the New York mayoral election of 1886, Powderly was able to successfully push the organization towards the favor of Henry George . </P>

According to the preamble what was the main concern of the knights of labor