The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-09-02
RANKS OF ORGANIZED LABOR
Observance of the Workingmen's Holt
day Attended by Elements of Success.
A Parade Of the Unions Witnessed BY Throngs
Of People-A large Crowd at Garfield
Park-Knights of Labor.
Large Demonstration and the Speeches at
Garfield Park

Large Demonstration and the Speeches at
Garfield Park
Labor day was observed here yesterday
for the third time, but on scale far sur
passing the former two efforts. The perfect
weather gave the fullest opportunity for
success. in point of numbers and enter
tainment. Organized labor was out in
force. and the crowds of spectators began
early to fill the streets on the line of march.
finding entertainment in watching the
movements of the various uniformed
unions as they formed in line opposite
their meeting halls. Occasionally cheers
might be heard. greeting some especially
large or attractiyely attired body of skilled
workingmen as they marched by. The
procession was little late IN starting,
and the absence of horses per-
haps detracted from the impressive
ness of the column, but it was
fully as well handled as if Grand Marshal
Gale and his assistants had been on horse
back. The line of march east on Washing
ton street from Tennessee ran between two
dense rows of people who crowded into the
streets, leaving just space CROUCH for car
riages. The bands were crowded. and the
few police officers detailed had much diff
ficulty in widening the way. The windows
of the business houses, many of which dis
played the national colOrs, were packed
with people.
The bands and drum corps were numer-
of 5000 men stepped briskly to the measured
time of music. The Cigar-makers' Union,
No. 80. headed the line. preceded by
Grand Marshal Gallo and staff and band.
They were not uniformed, but wore soft
brown hats and carried transparencies bear
Ing notices and the announcement of boy
colt of certain brands of cigars made by
nOn-union labor. Then followed the unions
In the order heretofore given. The Typo
graphical Union, No. l, with linen busters
dred strong. and made striking appearance.
The Paper-hangers'. No. 107, wore white
fiannel shirts and caps, and bore an elegant
banner of salmon and blue silk, with silver
letters. The boiler-makers had large
olive-green satin banner at their head, and
the Machinists' Union. No. GA, carried o
white silk banner. The carriages in line
Were filled with the speakers, q. K. Det-
weller. of Chicago, and Gustav A. Rahn of
Milwaukee; u. +. Kennedy, T. NJ. Gruelle,
Jerre Mccarthy, president of the National
brotherhood of Boiler-makers, and others.
The procession was an hour in passing, ar
irving at the Union Station at 1880 o'clock.
The trains standing on the trails ready
Garfield Park were quickly filled. 1t soon
became evident that trains at half-hour in
tervals would not be able to accommodate
the crowd, and this resulted In shortening
the interval to fifteen minutes. By 3
O'clock in the afternoon the large grounds
of the park were filled with people. The
shade was thick enough to afford shelter
from the sun. and gentle breeZes kept the
temperature at comfortable figure. The
people enjoy led themselves in social groups,
ff1rr
ing ball. pitching qu0its. striking with the
hammer, or other sports of that character.
Refreshment-stands were well patronized.
THE SPEECHES.
1t was o'clock before the dancing plat
form and the band-stand were cleared, and
ID. f. Kennedy, master of ceremonies, could
introduce the first speaker. G. L. Detweiler.
He began with general reference to the
status of wage-earners. as influenced by
labor-saving machinery. He said that four
fifths OF the increase of productiveness
under the present wage system is monopo-
lied by less than one-tenth of the popula-
ton. the idlers and the non-producer. He
contrasted the wage-wo rker of to-day with
the wage-worker of eco years ago, who was
dominated by ecclesiasticism and monarch
ism. These bonds have been broken, and
the men of 1916 won the victory of civil
liberty. There yet remains another eman-
cipation, he said, that of labor. 1t is
incumbent on those he saw before
him whether they would remain
found no analogy between the present sit
uation and any In history. The masses of
toilers are now educated as never before.
Nevertheless he continued, 1--WE are de-
so frequently and in such manner that
the misuse of these words has made them
respectable. We have now, also, q con-
tented people. with schools and printing
press. We have books and papers to send
out laden with instruction To the workers
at home. and there is evidence that the
reforms we are advocating are taking hold
of them. What does it all meant
1t 10 that wage-earners are coming to be-
lieve and demand that all the fruits of
the producers and should have the product
of their labor The creator cannot be sub
servient to the creature, capital. They
may combine, but only on basis of equal
ity, no more, no less. Labor and capital;
to be harmonious, must meet on equal
terms The speaker then proceeded to
show that the Increased capacity of labor
was double that of half century ago.
Men had then to use muscle as we'll as
brain, but now less physical power is
This opened the way for cheap labor by
women and children in lines where men
only were formerly employed. He in
Weighed against this condition as tending
to lower the quality of the race.
The eight-hour system. he said, will not
alone solve the labor problem. 1t is but
one of many factors that must be brought
to bear. But when tho eight-hour day be-
comes universal, II will be possible for the
children to be sent to school instead of the
factory. Speaking of the law of supply
and demand, SO much depended on by en-
ployers in refusing justice to their en-
ployes. he said that the time shows q mo-
nopoly of employers and competition of
employees. The law has much of the hum
bug in it. Monopoly enabled one or two
men in distant cities to dictate the prices
of the necessaries of life, regardless either
of supply or demand. But labor is
not a commodity, TO be held
down by any inyariable rule. of trade.
Labor is human life at work." said the
speaker, mot subject to supply and de-
mand except in slavery. If labor is COM
modify, then the stars and stripes, pre-
served Mt the sacritie of blood and treasure.
should be hauled down. and the stars and
bars reared in its place. Labor has awak-
ened. In twenty years grand evolution
will occur. The question will never be set
81 l. L.