Born in Philadelphia, Hayes became a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, in which service, he lost his right arm.
Although both were re-elected as that year's annual general assembly, Powderly was unable to put together an executive board, and resigned.
Hayes alleged that Parsons was not completing work, and had not called meetings of the executive board.
[4] In 1902, Hayes was elected as General Master Workman, serving until the union was dissolved, in 1917.
Hayes was also editor of the union's journal, and its associated National Labor Digest newspaper.