The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-08
LABOR TAKES A HOLIDAY
Trades-UniOnists Celebrate with Marked
Success and Much Enjoyment.
A Procession Numbering Nearly Four Thou
sand, and Which Was Almost an Hour Pass.
ing-Addresses and Athletic Contests

Inc nrst observance OF Labor day, yes
terday. since it became legal holiday,
was very general in this city, owing to the
closing of stores and suspension of bust
ness. The buildings were decorated with
flags. and the presence of thousands of peo-
pie on the central streets wearing
badges or uniforms further accentu-
ated the Significance of the day.
The frequent bands of music furnished
gala airs. which noted day of festivity
and recreation. By 10 o'clock, the hour of
the parade. Washington street was liter
ally packed, not only on the sidewalk but
also Tar beyond the curbs. leaving only
room for the procession to pass. The peo-
pie stood patiently until almost 13 O'clock.
Fortunately the weather was Nil that conld
be desired. The sun shone brightly,
but was tempered by the Septem-
Der air, so that there was no
discomfort from the heat. The procession
was skillfully formed at the corner of
Washington and Tennessee streets Grand
Marshal O'Day, of the machinists. demon
strating that his selection for the position
had been q fortunate one. The unions were
formed four abreast, and moved into their
places without friction or collision. The
parade was led by Nessler's Band. followed
by Grand Marshal o. Boyle. James NJ. Deery,
chairman of the Labor-day committee.
and by other aids. The Machinists'
Union led the van. with Chief Marshal
James p. Boyle and the Collier Cadets in
zouave costume at Its head. This union
had 296 men in line. and was accompanied
by the Helpers Union. numbering fifty.
The boiler-makers. Numbering sixty-four.
and their helpers, sixty.eight strong. were
the next in line. They bore, as cid most of
the other unions, beautiful banners of silk
and gold. A band was next to appear, fol.
lowed by the Blacksmiths' Union. 123 strong.
he two ir0n-molders' unions, Nos SO and
IL, followed cOnsecutIyely. and then came
the metal pOl!shers, q drum corps, the saw
makers and the architectural irun-workers,
completing the first division. composed. as
it Will be noticed, wholly of iron-workers.
THE OTHER DIVISIONS.
The second division was headed by Os-
tendorfs Band. with Chief Marshal Henry
Gale In command. The timers and
sheet-iron- workers wero the first in
line, numbering sixty-two. and were
followed by the plumbers and steam
filters. the stone-cutters. marble and gran
Drum Corps, Carpenters Union No. 446.
Carpenters Union No. GO, Carpenters
Union No. 200. Carpenters Union No. l57,
Carpenters Union No. 600 and hOd- carriers.
The stOne-masons brightened up the line
with their neat costumes OF white caps and
shirts and gray trousers. The showing of
the carpenters in the division was the larg.
est OF the whole parade. No. 4iG was led.
2l2 strong. by its own drum corps. No.
299 had 90 men in line. Elderly members
of the Carpenters' Union rode in carriages.
The other unions had large representation
in this division. Chief Marshal X. A.
Darnahy. of the third division. led hand
some body of men, the Typographical In
light stiff hats and carrying canes The
division marched to the sprlghtly tunes of
band. The pressmen followed the prin-
tiers and were in turn followed by the book
wore costume denOting their trade. box
caps and blonses. banner at their head bore
the inscription, The Press, the Pulpit and
the Public are all tor U.s." The rest of this
division was made mp OF the following
full membership: Paper-hangers, clerks
and statesmen. laundry girls. railroad con-
ductors, locomotive engineers, locomotive
tiremen. Brotherhood of Trainmen, sOcislis-
tic labor party. BARRIERS Union, Musicians
Union No. 52OS. tight barrel,coopers slack
barrel coopers. teamsters and shOvelers.
The fourth division was led by the Union
band. and was in charge of Chief Marshal
William Franz. of the cigsr-makers. 40
strong. The hnir-spinners the harness:
makers. the strret.Car conductors and
motormen, the Furniture-workers'U Unions,
Nos. So and IL, the Wood-carvers, Carriage
makers. hardwood varnshers and wheel
makers followed in the order named; The
Brewers were the last in line, and bore
representation Of Gambrinus.
GREAT PROCESSION.
H. aaa;n N ho1
see to Ohio. thence east to East street.
south to Washington street. west to Tilt
nois street and thence to the Union Sta
ton. It required fifty minutes to pass q
given point and there were fully $500 men
the organized laboring people as the city
never saw before. and many perhaps
never dreamed of. The success Of the pa
rade and the days observance filled the
ure and nearly everybody with surprise
and admiration. Borne in the line were
banners with significant inscriptions, show
ing the methods of labor in securing VIC
tories, such as Stay away from
saa plea S foe clerks snd
Intimating the power Of q boycott. Other
inscriptions were equally full of apt mean
ing. and were eagerly read by the thousands
of spectators.
Many of the unions IN line turned ont
lnllarger numbers than they dared hope
for. The painters, who have been dis
tracted with dissensions over q repndiated
agreement with the bosses, showed @
strength that surprised themselves.
and filled them with anticipations
of better things next year. The
rule in many of the unions that q member
must march or be fined caused full rep
resentation. pretty generally, of the unions
participating. The procession broke ranks
at the Union Station, and many at once
took the train for Garfield Park, accom-
panied by their families. Large baskets
of provisions were taken along. suggesting
that the fatigue and hunger following the
mornings march would soon be relieved by
a hearty picnic dinner.
AT GARFIELD PARK.
The trains bearing the people to the
park were each composed of ten coaches.
and were crowded at every run of fifteen
minutes. Not less than COCO people were
on the grounds. The sandwich caterer.
the lemonade and peanut vendors. the
muscle tester and other similar enterprises
were not long in making their presence
known. A delegation of she'll " orkers was
on hand. but Sergeant Mefford and detail
of fourteen officers warned them effectually
against attempting the seductive play. 4
game of oontz was discovered at long
range, but the players fled at sight of blue
coats and brass buttons. On the outskirts
of the park each of the breweries had
wagon-load of beer In kegs, which
was being dispensed in large oman
titles, but not in the park. These
ware mere Incidents of the time