Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-06
A GENERAL FESTIVAL
Workingmen Enjoying a Season of
Rest and Recreation.
CELEBRATION OF LABOR DAY
History of an Occasion Which Has
National Sanction.
NOTES AND INCIDENTS

| II seems to be rather a misnomer that
| the first Monday ia September should be
| designated Labor day. when IT Is really a
| Cay on which the sons of toll. above all
| other times, are supposed TO rest and enjoy
| themselves according TO their own dictates.
| 1t is Labor Gay. however. in the fact that
| II has been made legal holiday here for
| those who earn their bread by the sweat
| of their brows. to be commemorated by
| them and their children with almost as
much enthus iasm a is displayed ;he Fourth
| of July, Natioral independence day.
| Although the day has been observed in a
| strictly national manner for only a few
| years, the celebration of Labor day has be-
| come matter of the history OF the coun-
| try-its designation red letter one in the
patriotic dates CT the United States
Parade Not Essential.
| Though there is no paraGe i'm the District
\ OF Columbia today by the thousands of
4 workers in honor cf the day which has
| teen SIT apart partic Ilarly for their be- eneft
1t is far from being an indication that labor
has grown apathetic in regard to its an
| nual festival. Ii means, the leaders assert.
| that the workers have determined that
| mere noise and glitter is rot essential TO a
| proper observance; that quiet celebration
| gives evidence OF higher Interpretation of
| The real meaning of the day. So depart
ire WIS mace from the cid order of things
| here. Instead Of Il martial array, banners
ard flags flying. bands playing. the rhyth-
N ic step of m rchins mon u err is rese lted
to-ay the pl. ing spectacle Of happy work
ingmen. walking with lheir wives and
children by their sides. in holiday attire,
faces smiling, TO visit the resorts which
have been selected for their purpose The
dinner bucket has been replaced by the ex-
cursion basket: instead of the implements
OF his trade in his grimy hands. the laborer
holds the hands of his wife and child The
thoughtful expression brought about by the
idea OF duty to be finished before the
whistle blows at night has been changed
Tor one of expectation of day of peace
ana contentment, untrammeled joy and
unfettered opportunity TO embrace the good
things Of life.
Program Of the DAY.
The exercises CT today, which will be Of
no unimportant character will is. co;duct-
cd by minor labor organizations there be-
ing no combined effort Ola the l.aIt of the
central bodies. as has before L, en- the case.
Under the circumstances this was deemed
better for all concerned
1t is from no idea of exclusiyeness nor of
penur.ousnsss, however, that such a scayme
mas been thought out. The money which
the parade anu other celebrations would
nave cost will be expended just the same.
out IN different, aud the workingmen
think. more creditable manner The total
amount which would have been expended
on such a celebration-as has been seen in
W ashington before will be estimated coll
lected ard then remit;ed to such charities
and causes as are deemed best by the Dis
trict workers
Meets With Approval.
This is the result of grave conferences on
the part OF the labor leaders in the Dis
trict. 1t has met with the entire approval
OF all those who are concerned. directly or
Indirectly. in any matters affecting the
welfare of the workngman.
In view of the fact that there will be no
grand celebration of the day, as has been
the custom hitherto, there haye been ar
rafged a number of excursions and thous-
ands OF the working classes took advan-
tsse OF these 10 visit the country and en-
JOY the delights of day set apart not only
by body of national character but one
which. 1t would seem, Il; is 50 bright and
beautiful, was saved and furnished by ma
ture itself fitted exactly for the fuldlI-
ment of such q festival
one OF these excursions was to Marshall
Hall and the other 10 River View and both
places Were patronized impartially by
thousands. a boat left for Marshall Hall
this morning at 10 O'clock and one also
for River View at the same time They
were crowded to their utmost capacity.
Another boat lead left for Marshall Hall at
80 and the last will start for there AT q
pm. A crowded boat left for River View
al O'Clock. and boat VIII also leave for
there at Gas.
At Marshall Hall.
The observance at Marshall Hall is under
the auspices of Carpenters Assembly. No.
ldiS. h. of L., the knights of Labor and the
trades unions joined with the local Fedora
ton of Labor. There were athletic sports
and games by the excursiosists. There was
a base ball game scheduled to take place
between the carpenters and painters and
a professional game between the Washing
ton Athletic Club ard Potomac Club
Bowling contests were down on the pro-
gram to begin upon the arrival of the first
boat, soon after IL o'clock. The prizes for
these will amount to 500 In the aggregate.
There will be dancing in the pavilion All
day by the eXcursionsts, and exhibitions
of fancy dancing. so prize has been Of
fered, which will go to the assembly selling
the greatest number of tickets in excess of
200. This Will be awarded at the dancing
pavilion soon after the arrival of the last
boat.
Committee fn Charge.
The committee of arrangements at Mar
shall Hall consists OF J. p. O'Day j. X
Potter. George Blackston. E. Wilson, F. V.
Tolson, J. Blakely, w. E. Eckhon and b.
b. Johnson.
Athletics Mt River View.
The card of athletic events at River View
is of a most interesting character and has
been most carefully arranged, directed by
lHe SeutTdl lsdDOT Union, the local repre-
sentative body of the trades unionists
There will be dancing during the day and n
prize will be awarded for the greatest
number OF tickets sold. The prize consists
of $50, and will go to the person disposing
of the greatest number over 100.
The card Is follows:
ug-of-war-Between teams from the
Central Labor Union and Building Trades
Council
Base ball-Electrical Workers against
Gas ard Steam and Hot Water Filters.
One-half-mile boat race-Open to all.
One-half-mile foot race-Open to all
One-half-mile foot race-For members OF
labor.
Sack race.
Game of quoits.
High-jumping contest.
ad-jumping contest.
Throwing the hammer.
The Conmfftecs.
The committees in charge at River View
are as follows: